Waterlogged!

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I survived everyone!

Well what can I say about sledging? It was such a riot and it definetly gets your heart racing. I was picked up at the hostel this morning at 8am by my two guides who were quit the characters-they were a lot of fun! Driving out to the river I was reading the comment book and read things like "be prepared to kiss some rocks" or "thanks for rescuing me" etc and i was getting a little nervous (okay quite nervous). We were at the river and in the water by 9am learning how to use the sledge and talked about safety percausions. The guides kept saying that no matter what you do, do not let go of the sledge or you'd be going for a ride...thankfully I didn't let go of it and did quite well! I admit that when we came to the first waterfall and rapids I was so wondering what I got myself into and was freaking out in my head...I did kiss a rock pretty good but was able to stay on the sledge and survive the rapids. Altogether we were on the water for 1.5hrs and by the end I was exhausted and freezing cold but it was sooo worth it! The water was graded at a 4 so it was pretty intense, it is definetly something I would do again even with the few bruises I gained along the way! Any way, that was my day (it's 3pm here) and the rest of my day will consist of a LONG HOT shower and going out to watch rugby...

As for what else I have been up to....

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I never mentioned anything about my time in Queenstown (my last stop on the South Island) and apart from the fact that it reminds me a lot of Banff there isn't a lot to say about it there. I did however almost win a free bungy jump of the Nevis (highest bungy in NZ) but lost to a big Irish lad...The hostel I was staying at had a pub/bar and they were having a horizontal bungy competition where you were strapped to the bungy cord and had to run up to three different lines and drink some nasty stuff (egg yoke-yuck! zambucka-okay beer-okay). I lost because I couldn't guzzle my beer but it was fun any ways. I landed smack on my butt after grabbing the third drink and got literally dragged along the floor (i tried to "spill" as much beer as I could while slidding and I still lost!).

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Prior to arriving in Rotorua Thursday we stopped at the Waitomo Caves where I did a caving expedition and cave tubing. It was quite a lot of fun and it was amazing to see the cave walls and glow worms. The only thing that bites is we were not allowed to take pictures down in the cave so my memory is a postcard. Also on the way to Rotorua we stopped at a really cool hostel/homestay that I would have loved to stay at. Some farmer brought in a huge plane and converted it into dorm rooms along with a train and he also created a hobit ville. The whole property was quite neat and believe it or not he had even trained his cow, donkey, sheep and pig to perform a show. We saw part of the show with the pig and it was quite amazing what he has accomplished with the animals.
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Well that's about all for now, tomorrow we are off to Taupo which is quite popular for its sky diving and other outdoor activities so I may have some stories to tell later!

Take care everyone.

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Photos

We went thru that!!
This was our introduction waterfall... nice way to break us in gently!

No turning back!
I am the one behind the guide in the white helmet

Proof of Life
We survived the big Kahoona fall

Maori Image
On the way to Raglan

Winter Days (?!)
A typical "winters day"

Comments

[Aunt Marja]

awesome
That looks pretty scary to me Michelle.Glad you held on.just came from your Mom and Dad. Had a great time. looking forward when ever you get back to hear lots of stories and to see pictures.Enjoy your stay.