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Published: March 15th 2006
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Auckland Welcomes Us!
Team America at the highest point in Auckland...cityscape in the background. It's hard to believe we have only been away from our motherland for 1 week because we have already done so much. Let's just say we are certainly satiating our adrenaline need here in New Zealand!!!
Let me just outline some of the highlights so far...no need to bore you with details (after all, I know you should be working diligently right now).
Auckland welcomed us with open arms and we forced ourselves to quickly assimilate to backpacker lifestyle. I think we could write a book:
You Know You are a Backpacker When...
-You learn to use shampoo to wash your hair AND cleanse your body.
-You walk around with a flashlight strapped to your forehead to go the bathroom.
-You wear gym shoes to the bar every night.
-Your daily feed consists of a can of tuna, an apple, a chocolate bar, and some beers.
-You buy dryer sheets and stuff them in your backpack with HOPES to reduce the stench.
-And the list can go on and on....trust us...more to come:-)
From Auckland we jumped on a bus (STRAY) and hit Hahei. In Hahei we kayaked ALL day around Mercury Bay with our Kiwi
Taking on Mercury Bay
Dawn and our crazy Stray driver, Kerry, showing the ocean what they've got! guides, Marty and Shayne. Roshni and I shared a kayak and did pretty darn well for ourselves....and might I add looked super cute in our Kayaking skirts. Dawn took on the ocean with our bus driver, Kerry...who has been a wealth of knowledge about Kiwi and Maury culture (and a blast to be around). We landed at Cathedral Cove where we entered "Marty and Shayne's Beach Cafe"...who knew that you could make delicious mochaccinos with a little steamer right there on the sand...the Kiwi's are quite handy and creative if you ask me!
Dawn and I woke up the next morning and hiked up one of the mountains and did some yoga as the sun rose. I think the picture speaks for itself...INCREDIBLE!
We moved on from Hahei to Raglan....New Zealand's SURFING capital! Roshni opted for the surf lessons, but Dawn and I knew we could take on the waves ourselves (who do I really think I am?). Luckily, Dawn and I befriended one of New Zealand's Surf Professionals, Dave Elley, who has won many big surf competitions. What better way to spend the day surfing than with a surf pro...it was a blast...though exhausting...we definitely earned our
Cathedral Cove
Caroline and Ro frolicking through Cathedral Cove...stunning! beers that evening:-)! Back at the hostel we played pool with some of the local kiwis and ran around the campground zip-lining down what they call the "Flying Fox"...too much fun!
From Raglan we yondered on to Waitomo...and had an adventure of a LIFETIME! Dawn and I chose to abseil (repel) 80M underground into black caves....our source of light....thousands of gloworms on the cave walls....and our tiny headlamp. We spent 4 hours abseiling into darkness down 30M waterfalls, climbing over rocks, squeezing through tight cave walls, and wondering what on earth we were thinking....heehee. No, just kidding, it was really incredible to see what existed underground, but a long day's work. Ro got a chance to do some blackwater rafting with another group which was an awesome experience for her as well.
From Waitomo we journeyed along to Rotorua where we embarked on an evening full of Maury culture. We enjoyed a great night, learning some Maury dances, eating Maury food, getting to know the Maury history, and watching a great historical play. The Maury culture is very warm and welcoming and they have SO much pride for their ancestry...it was really so interesting to learn about. I
Yoga in the Morning
After our morning hike and beautiful sunrise, what a great way to start the day! even got to demonstrate to everyone the game they play with short sticks to improve their reflexes and peripheal vision during battle...I am quite the natural...heehee, just kidding! Roshni's charm and beauty allowed her to be a candidate for the Chief's wife in the drama they performed, but unfortunately Lake Michigan wasn't a big enough ocean for the chief and he picked the local Maury girl instead...heehee!
If you haven't guessed by now, I need to interrupt and say...we are having the time of our lives!!!
From Rotorua, we mosied along to Taupo where...drum roll please...ROSHNI DID HER 1st SKY DIVE! She was a champ and conquered her fear of heights...that's our girl:-)! Dawn and I have been to Taupo before...so ya know, been there, done that, got the T-shirt! Since we had already done the skydive in Taupo, we opted to run around town that day instead.
After Taupo, we completed one of the top 3 feats of my life (I am not sure what the other 2 would be, but that just sounds good). We hiked the Tongariro Cross...a 17km hike in which half of it is uphill through rocks and gravel. The entire mountain
Getting Ready for the Cave
Dawn and Caroline suited up for Haggas Cave. About to abseil 80M down into complete darkness...minus the shiny butts of the gloworms. took us a total of 8hrs...probably my longest consecutive workout. I think I cancelled out the calories though with all the Crunchie bars I ate afterwards....ooops! Needless to say, the view was BREATHTAKING. In the midst of a barren, dirt mountain, were crystal clear blue lakes...clear enough to see the bottom. The contrasting scenery was a stunning piece of natural art.
Today we landed in Wellington (New Zealand's Capital, known here as "The Windy City"). We are heading to the South Island tomorrow for some sailing, glacier hiking, and yes (close your eyes mom), some bungee jumping! We are taking great care of one another, but miss you all heaps. We will continue to keep you posted and please do the same. Thanks for reading and until next time...
God Bless:-)!
Team America
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Susan Pfeifer
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WOW !
Where do you get all of this energy! I'm so jealous...sounds like you are having way too much fun. Be safe and enjoy the many more great experiences that are sure to come!