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Published: February 20th 2009
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Shot over jet
before the trip to the famous "hole in the rock" Hey everyone! Sorry it has been awhile, I didn’t have access to internet throughout my two week trip to New Zealand. Now that I am in my apartment I will update you a little more often. Although, I don’t have unlimited internet access like we do back home… it is a bit ridiculous… so posting pictures may be a little slower. (be sure to go back and look at the others as I may post pictures to each one later.
GOING BACK…. feb 6th
New Zealand was AMAZING! After meeting up with my tour we made our way north to the bay of islands, staying in Paihia. This was my favorite place throughout the entire trip! When we got there some of us took a fast boat trip out the famous “hole in the rock” which is the northern most point in New Zealand. The water was very choppy for the 45 min ride out to the island, but it made it exciting. The ride back was a bit calmer but filled with twists and turns while exploring a few other islands in the bay. There were some very pretty lagoon areas reminding me of Peter Pan. That night we
had a traditional New Zealand barbeque… salad, steak, and sasauge. ¾ a plate of meat! Later that night we went out dancing and walked on the beach. It was also wjtangi (sp) day (like our 4th of july) when they signed a treaty with the natives of the land. There was a big festival up the hill from where we were staying. A lot of cultural things, but I didn't get the chance to make it up there.
Day 2 - feb 7th - I first have to say… this morning a few of the Australians from my group made me try vegemite at breakfast… I was curious even after what others had told me about it…. HORRIBLE! Disgusting! Probably one of the worst things I have ever tried. I don’t know how they eat the stuff.
We had to option to do many things throughout the day and it was probably the best weather I have seen here yet. It was bright an sunny with a cool breeze but not too hot. Today I went on a “waka” trip with 7 others from my group led by two maori men that were relatives of my tour guides.
shot over jet
Hole in the rock (This trip isn’t normally offered with the trip but it was something special for our group because our guide was a local) A waka is a 7 person canoe with a balancer beam attached by two boards. We went out to some of the uninhabited islands in the bay climbing to the top of one for a great view, stopping by another and looking for muscle on a different island. The entire time I was treated like a princess compared to the others in my group. Instead of paddling I was chosen to sit on one of the support beams to keep the waka from tipping due to the force of the waves. A great way to experience the ocean for the first time! (I did get to paddle some of the time as well) I was also in a lot of pictures for their new brochure… On our way to one of the islands we stopped for a swim in the middle of the ocean. It was very refreshing but the salt water stung my eyes.
The Maori guides pushed the use of sun screen on every island we stopped at. I guess the ozone in New Zealand is
Shot over jet
Hole in the rock horrible even though they are one of the best nations in preserving it. Very true… I missed one spot on my face one time throughout the 4 hour trip and it fried! (so throughout the rest of my pictures I will have a red spot on my face… yes I am pointing it out now before you all notice anyway)
When we got back to shore…after riding like a princess and being a poster child for their new brochure one of the guides gave me a native ring made from bone. It is really cool, but I also felt bad for getting all of this attention compared to the others in my group.
When we got back to shore 6 of us, joined by two others from our group went parasailing over the bay. It was a great view of some of the islands in the bay. There are over 140 islands throughout the bay but many are very small and further out. That night about 12 of us went for fish and chips in the park then joined up with some of the others at a local bar and sat on the patio to get to know everyone.
Shot over jet
Inside the hole in the rock A very chill night.
PICTURES TO COME LATER!
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