Flying around NZ

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Boxing Day
Took a gondola up Skyline Skyrides and got some great views over Lake Rotorua and Mokoia Island. Had 5 trips on the luge, quality sleds down 3 tracks, surprisingly quick and great fun.

Then started our trip down towards Taupo and stopped at the Aratiatia Rapids, Huka Prawn Park for lunch and then onto Huka Falls on the Waikoto River. A 100m wide river funnelled into 15m. Saw some mental canoeists going down the rapids and then the waterfall, in awe - that's gotta be a buzz.

Relaxed in the evening, playing pool and a few beers. Met some people Vanit had met at the Auckland hostel so hung out with them.

Wed 27th Dec
Was meant to be going on the Tongariro Crossing today but ended up missing the bus by about 2 mins at about 5.45am. You know how I love those early mornings - not happy.

Went to the information centre first thing and booked a couple of activities. First up was skydiving and went the whole hog and did the 15,000 ft jump. 60 seconds of freefall with my 'guide' Benny. Was pretty worrying in the plane with the guide and camerawoman taking in oxygen but thought I'd leave asking what that was all about until I was back on ground.

Took a breather and then went off for a ride on the Rapids Jet, the only one in NZ that rides the rapids, and quite happy to tell you they have sunk 3 of their boats in the past. Did a few 180s, got airborne a number of times. Great fun.

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Photos

Freefalling
loving it, yeah baby

Lake Rotorua
also Mokoia Island in the Lake

Huka Falls
respect to any canoeists taking a piece of that action

The Drop
quite scared at this point

Just chilling
and taking in the view

The view
Lake Taupo