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Published: November 9th 2012
We've spent the last week in New Zealand on the north island. The landscape is beautiful, as Alex put it, 'like Emmerdale on steroids'. Everything is lush and green, just unspoiled rolling hills for miles and miles.
We started off in Auckland and made our way to the pretty town of waitomo, where we visited the famous glow worm caves. It was so beautiful floating along the river in pitch black apart from hundreds of twitwinkling glow worms above our heads. Luckily the glow worms reminded Alex of his night light so he wasn't too scared of the dark.
After Waitomo we headed to Rotorau which is a geo-thermally active area with lots of hot springs, mud pools, and a faint ever-present smell of sulphur. We visited a sheep shearing show, which sounds really random but was actually really fun! We also visited a Maori village and learned more about the culture. Maori fun facts: the Maori people came to NZ from Polynesia 600-1000 years ago; women are revered as the givers of life (too right); and the famous haka was performed before battles to intimidate the enemy, sometimes so successfully that the battle didn't even take place!
We also went on a luge track (like go karts) in Rotorau. There was much amusement for Alex when my head was too small for the adult helmets and I had to wear a kids one instead, but I think he was just jealous because mine had pictures of dogs on it. That evening was bonfire night, so we watched fireworks by the lake.
After Rotorau we headed to Lake Taupo which is a huge lake in the crater of the largest volcanic eruption ever. The lake is the same size as Singapore. That evening we had a dinner cruise on the lake which would have been very civilised were it not a fancy dress party with the theme 'tight and bright'. Alex caused quite a stir in his running tights!
We're now in Wellington, known as the windy city. The drive from Taupo was very scenic. We drove through the volcanic mountains and could even see steam rising from the crater of one following a recent eruption. One of the volcanoes was the location used for mount doom in lord of the rings, and we also visited a beautiful waterfall that was a location for the film.
Unfortunately the lord of the rings references are going totally over our heads as we haven't seen the films! (though Alex says I am a little bit like golum, obsessed with my new ring!)
We spent the day browsing the city and exploring the te papa museum which had lots of info on Maori culture as well as an earthquake simulator and a colossal squid! After that we met Alex's friend Cat (or Kit as he calls her) for a drink and catch up. Last night we grabbed dinner from the Wellington night market which was full of yummy food stalls and markets.
Today we're catching the ferry to the south island where glaciers and adventure await!
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Dad
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Your Grandad Would Be Really Pleased
Glad to hear you're enjoying NZ. Your grandad flew with the 75 New Zealand Squadron and always had a great affinity with the country. He always wanted to go there but sadly never made it, rest assured he'll be there with you in spirit so have a drink together and put it on his tab! xx