Dangling by a Thread

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Hello,

We spent a couple of nights in Wellington after the ferry trip. Whilst there we went around the excellent museum, which had displays on natural history, geology and the native people and their traditions. Possibly the best bit of the museum was the chocolate cake in the 4th floor cafe, which was brilliant. After leaving the museuem we got lost for a bit but eventually found our way to the cable car which we took to the top of town. It opens out into the Botanic Gardens which we ambled back to town through. One of the evenings we strolled (hiked (SC)) up Mount Victoria which is next to the city. From here we found some of the locations for Lord of the Rings, and superb views over the city.

On Friday we travelled to Wanganui, a little town on a big river. It was a little wet during our time there but we managed to go up a tower! To get to the bottom of the tower we went up one of only 2 underground elevators in the World - apparently.

After a night there we travelled up to Taupo, a town on a lake. Passing Mordor on the way. During the afternoon we went to Huka Prawn farm for lunch, and ate some fresh whole prawns (we peeled them first). We also visited a bee farm on the way back. We stopped at the Huka Falls for some site seeing. The following morning Steph jumped off a platform into the river, attached by a bungy cord - which she says was excellent!

We then drove up here to Rotarua, a town on a lake. We both went up a nearby hill on a Gondola, and then took the luge down - 3 times! In the evening we relaxed in the Polynesian Spa. As Rotorua is on a thermal valley there is plenty of hot mineral water to soak in. This morning we went to a Maori village which sits around some of these hot lakes, mud pools and occasional geysers. They showed us some traditional dancing and Haka.

Love to all

AC and SC

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Photos

Mount Victoria
The forest around Mount Victoria, where the Nazghul chased the Hobbits

Mount Victoria
Steph being a Hobbit hiding from the Nazghul (which she knows are not real!)

Wanganui
The tunnel to the elevator - which was excellent for echoes
The tunnel to the elevator....

Wanganui
The tower overlooking Wanganui, (176 steps) looking out towards Mordor

Post-Bungy
A wet but happy Steph after her 50m bungy

Gondola
The Gondola in Rotorua

Geysers
The geysers in the Maori village

Comments

[Kim]

Bungies, Mud and an Elevator (aka lift)
Just thinking of the bungy jump makes my middle squirm - rather you than me, but well done! Mud and those dancers with the poi are about all I can remember from my visit to New zealand (age 4). And I have also been in an underground lift, but I suspect yours was better - mine was a not very large cage up from a salt mine in Poland - jo and a load of germans were packed in in the dark. I had hiccups! It all looks amazing - great to see some more of your pics. Continue to have fun! k xxx