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I arrived in Auckland at a stupidly early hour and was not in the best of moods having realised that I had left my MP3 on the plane. Very irritating as I had just put all my music on it, but hey these things happen, and at least it was not anything too important!
I got myself to a hostel and then decided to look around Auckland, but to be honest it wasnt that great, so it was a good thing Claudio (legend that arranged my trip) told me to only stay one night.
The next morning was when i began my trip on the Kiwi Experience bus, with my driver Damo who has driven me the whole way down to Wellington. I got on the bus a little lost and confused, being on my own was a bit daunting at first, but I quickly settled into it as a girl next to me had also just graduated from Manchester so that was a good starting point! During the day we were driven to some really nice viewing spots where we could see all of Auckland, and headed south towards our first stop of Mercury Bay on the coast.
Rotorua Hot Springs
Chris, Stef, hannah, Robin, Izzy, Nick, Maria and Me Along the way we stopped at a place called Cathedral Cove, a really really lovely bay only acessible after a 30 minute walk with spectacular views. I didnt go swimming as it was blooming freezing, but I was with a lot of nut jobs who did and it actually looked quite fun! still, glad i didnt as it was a fair way to our hostel to sit all wet and cold on a bus! I would try and go through each day, but I have done so much I think that would really take a long time to type, and a very long and boring blog to read!! So i shall try and keep it brief from now on!
The people on the bus are so so fantastic, and I have travelled with the same people up until now where everyone has dispersed a tad. I have kind of clung on to a group of girls and there are now 8 of us together which is really nice as we all have similar ideas of what we want to get out of the trip. It is also nice that we are all similar ages and have just graduated. (There
are a lot of gap year post A-Level students too). So, one highlight so far is definately the people I have met.
Ok, I am rambling. Shocking, I know!
I have absolutely fallen in love with New Zealand. it really is a stunning stunning place! And I haven't even reached South ISland yet which is meant to beat the North Island hands down! Weather wise it has been ok, not hot at all but have only had 1 day of rain so far which is really good as I have been able to do all the activities I wanted to do, which I suppose I should start telling you about as that is what has made this trip so unforgetable!!
The first real 'activity' stop was Rotorua, where we went on the Luges. Now, as I am sure most people wont know what this is, but basically you go down a mountain on what can only be described as a tray with wheels and a brake! Seriously good fun, especially round the tight corners!! That night in Rotorua we went to our cultural experience, where we had a real Mauori meal (amazing food!), were given a performance
'Mount Doom'
Of Lord of the Rings fame. It was a bit Cloudy, but stunning nonetheless! of their history through dancing and singing, and, of course, they performed the Haka (which the guys even got to learn!! all we got to do was learn this boring dance with a ball!)
Next stop, the Black Water Rafting! Now this is most definately the top highlight of my trip so far. This was a 5 hour trip down some caves. We began by absailing down 40m into the caves, then got a 25m Zip Wire further down. We were then given a rubber tube, nothing more than a thick bike tyre really, which we had to jump off a cliff, in the dark, to another 6m or so into the water. The whole point of this trip was to see the glow worms, or so we thought. We did see a huge number of glow worms which was pretty cool, but we were not prepared for what was in store for us later!! we ambled along in our tubes, and then ditched them and just floated along these rapids on our backs for an hour or so. (we did stop for some tea/coffee and flapjacks too, which was amazing!!) then we got to the good part! we
Flying over Lake Taupo
Yes, this is me at roughly 15,000 ft! had to climb 4 waterfalls! It is hard to expresss how good/scary this was, I will explain all when i get back im sure!!
The next day, as if that wasnt enough, I then jumped out of a plane 15,000ft!!! We were so glad we got to do it, it had been raining in Taupo (where i jumped) for the past few days so they weren't doing any jumps for a while but we got to do it no problem, and it was seriously amazing!! A life long dream of mine too, so glad I have now done that! It has given me the bug though and I am planning on doing another one when I get to Franz Josef in the South Island, as it is over Glaciers and rainforset, sounds amazing!
I have also white water rafted, gone to a few thermal springs, and even a museum (very cultural of me). Heading South tomorrow with a new bus load of people, Still with the girls though which is good!
I am pretty sure I have sufficeintly bored you all enough now, so I shall leave you be. I will send another update soonm probably at the end of South Island!
Stay classy xxx
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Chris Gawn
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Sounds like you're having a top time lady - I'm really pleased! And fret not, you've not rambled at all! Ramble away I say!! The sky dive and waterfall walk sound incredible! Any good nights out with your girls? It's hot - milk was a bad choice. Love ya!