...And relax

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It's really cool to read all the messages you guys are putting on my blog for me, thanks guys. Also the text's and the e-mails too; nice to have that contact with loved ones. And the rest of you 😉 Also nice to know people seem to be enjoying my electronic scribbling :D

This morning I drove to Rotorua, where I'm staying for the last few days before moving on to Gisborne (and therefore Nana, Liz and family) for Xmas. It's about 2 to 2.5 hours on the road. Again through some nice country side, scenic reserves and forests. Rather than going back the way I came from Taupo, I went north to Kihikihi then east to Putaruru before getting to Taupo (thanks for the advice Ian). I got through to Arapuni where there is a dam. This is closed until early 2007 for maintenance work (it was built in the 1920s). I followed a diversion to get across the river without going over the dam (just as well there wasn't an earthquake and Superman didn't have to swoop down and rescue me from a crumbling dam) and along the way saw a massive swing bridge and gorgeous scenery. At the next little town five minutes down the road I stopped for refreshments and got directions on how to get ot the other side of the swing bridge as I couldn't stop on the single track where I'd seen it. I went back to the town and walked down to the bridge. There's a nice looking 30-40 minute walk west, but it was pouring with rain and I wasn't in the mood to get soaked again. I went across the swing bridge and the river looked fantastic, with beautiful forestry high up on the banks.

After that I headed to Rotorua on highway 5. Along the way I found Off Road NZ, which was something I had planned to do - so I did it then. I spent the next hour in a 4wd Suzuki very similar to the ones of Neil's and Gordon's that used to be on my landlord's driveway. There was probably about 35 minutes worth of driving within that. I went very slowly through a track (which was hard work, I don't really do that slow very often!), with loads of water and mud pools, angles to drive over, steep hills to get the 4wd up and slippery slopes to negotiate down. It was a man made track and the guy directed me via CB as he stood out in the rain. There were a few really good moments, some dark tunnels, especially steep climbs, deep rivers to wade through, a log to drive across (had to get the wheels lined up right or I was in the stream) and some of them had names I appreciated, such as "Highway to Hell" and "Stairway to Heaven" 😊 There were two that were especially good though, where they get you out to look at it first and brief you on safety. One was a very steep muddy twisting track down to a drop into water. I had to very slowly edge down this track and let the Suzuki practically hang on the edge of this drop before letting it slowly go over into the water. I was told not to accelorate unless I wanted a Dukes of Hazzard style leap. Of course, as soon as he said that a Dixie horn went off in my head and I wanted to make my jeep launch itself, General Lee style, into the water. But I was a good girl and didn't. So I get to the bottom of this slope without hitting the sides and hang on the edge. At this point the car is making that mechanical metal groaning noise you hear in movies (think of the tanks coming over the top in Saving Private Ryan). It's the brake discs that are wet, and I know that and I know it's fine. However, it does sound scary and really adds to the atmosphere. I let go of the brakes and the car belly flops over the edge into the water and I'm still alive, so it's ok. The other interesting point of the course is The Luge. You have two metal tracks for your tyres (think guttering to guide you). You start the the top and nudge yourself over, slamming the brakes hard, yanking up the hand brake and then just holding on to the steering wheel as you go down a vertical drop before, hopefully, coming to a stop on the level at the bottom. It's a 15 foot vertical drop. In a car. And I'm doing this to myself. Willingly. I think there is something wired wrong in my brain somewhere. I'm sure people don't normally voluntarily push themself over the edge of a slippery 15 foot vertical drop, in a car. For fun. Where no one is holding a gun to your head. But I did. And I've managed to master the voice control of the computer in hospital whilst every bone in my body heals... Actually, I felt fine doing this. It looked cool, a bit scary, but I was up for it. Aparently there have been harden petrol heads with all their v8 gear on that won't drive over this luge. There have been husband and wife teams where the husband has yanked the hand brake as he didn't trust the wife. The point at which I was scared was on the vertical bit. That two seconds where you are pointing down and looking at your impending doom. I was so shocked I didn't have time to scream "OH F*CK!" (the guide had made me open the window to hear me) of even do my stupid manic giggle that I usually reserve for such experiences. Once again, I lived to tell the tale. Well, blog it anyway!

To be honest, whilst that luge was great fun, the experience as a whole wasn't that ace. Maybe I should have done it at the beinning of the holiday? Perhaps Bill's quad biking has ruined me for other persuits? Perhaps the man made track wasn't gritty enough for me and I would have more fun doing something properly off road. Oh my God... am I now an adrenalin junkie? Will I gradually get on to harder and harder adrenaline kicks before I'm hooked and begging for the next life threatening adventure and a broken nail will no longer suffice?

In answer to that question, I spent the rest of the afternoon at the Polynesian Spa, chilling out. They have forur sulphur pools, said to be good for healing (the horse ride had left me fine, no aching bum or thighs) and for the skin. They were 36, 38, 40 and 42 degrees. That's quite hot. The 40 degrees was just a bit hot, especially on my overcast burn, but after a very cold shower or two I managed the 42 degrees for a little while. Adam, you would have loved it, but they probably wouldn't let you smoke your joint in there 😉 I was left completely relaxed, to the point that I could hardly drag myself into the shower. So perhaps it worked. Another hard day...

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Comments

[katie smith]

i thought u had some photos to show us!!,sounds lots of fun