New Zealand... North Island

Hey there... so as you can see I'm having a great time here in New Zealand. We spent the first week on the North Island arriving into Auckland on Feb 11th... and the next day heading to Rotorua, which is famous for it's mud pools, natural hot springs and thermal activity. We spent a few days in the area taking a day trip to the Waitomo Caves. There we went on a caving adventure which involved absailing 82 feet into the cave, blackwater rafting, crawling through cave holes, seeing the glow worms and rock climbing out at the end. It was really fun- and unlike anything I have ever experienced! On the way down to Wellington we stopped at Lake Taupo... and went Skydiving!! Jumping out of the plane at 15,000 feet was such a rush- amazing views and it was such an incredible feeling. We arrived in Wellington late on saturday night where we caught up with my friend Linda who just moved to there in October. We had one day to explore the city with her and Rowan (her boyfriend) starting with an amazing brunch, we visited the Te Papa, harborfront and Cuba Street in the evening. Wellington is a great place, not to big but lots of coffee shops... which I find great! We are enjoying lots of Flat White's here... 2 shots of espresso with steamed milk- delicious! The last few days in the North Island we spent working on a vineyard in the Wairarapa. It was a great change of pace and I loved the chance to do a bit of cooking and baking! We spent our mornings working and the afternoons seeing a bit of the region which was just what we needed.
I know it's a quick run through of what I have been up to; but thought I would update you quickly. Time is precious while you are traveling... I still seem to be cramming as much as I can in a day! Love ya!

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