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Published: January 21st 2008
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Tuesday 15th We're back on the bus early, first stop some bubbling mud pools... I've forgotten their name, before heading onto the Lady Knox Geyser. We wonder how they can KNOW that this will go off at 1015, and then at 1017, when there's still no sign of it, or the guy to introduce it, what is going on. He arrives, says 'I'm the geezer, this is the geyser' and explains how they essentially chuck detergent in and that sets off a 45 minute eruption... Depending on the water table, etc. Quite an impressive sight, only happens once a day as takes 23 hours for the reservoir to refill!
Next stop is Wai-O-Tapu, home of the champagne lakes. Quite expensive but intrigued, and it's that or sit outside for 1.5 hours. I join up with Vanessa and we opt for all 3 walks, running into others on the way, we walk round a number of steaming, stinking, but (some) beautiful natural formations. The champagne lakes are intriguing coloured lakes, there's waterfalls, flats, crevaces and bubbling pools - plenty of photo opportunities there! Tom and Woshil catch up with us, and we find the option for a few more silly poses.
We move onto the Huka Falls - a huge amount of water thunders past us, enough for hydro-electricity. Those of us who have made a decision to skydive pose for a 'before' photo at this point. Shortly after we are collected by the Taupo Tandem Skydive bus and we're on our way. Everyone is opting for 12000 metres with an exit photo, but once we get there several of us opt for the full monty. I decide am probably only going to do this once, so go for 15000 feet + DVD. I'm put with Des and before I've really had time to think about it more I'm squashed in the plane with John the photographer next to me. I ask if we're nearly at height... No, that's 3000 feet! At 12000 feet we drop 3 passengers and watching them go is the worst part of the experience and making me 'glow' prodigiously! One more passenger at 15000 and then it's my turn... The jump out is a bit of a blur, all I really remember is focusing on not panicking at all and then yelling for ages - forgetting to look at the scenery! The photographer tries to
spin me, it doesn't really work - and falling now feels pretty natural (even at 200kph). All too soon the parachute snaps in (ouch, but I was told I should be glad I'm not a man!) and we do several turns and come in for a smooth landing. A last bit of filming, we de-kit and watch the video/see the photos/choose a t-shirt... Then hang around for ages as we wait for the others to complete their flight, before heading back to the hostel.
Briede and I go for a swim in the lake - quite refreshing but the body soon adjusts. Back for a quick change and head into town for a meal. Everywhere seems quite expensive so we settle for Mulligan's, and join in the pub quiz, in which we come 4th out of about 16. We then head to the pub next door which has some music. By 1am I'm ready to head back, and this place feels so safe thinking of going on my own, but Tom and Debbie are also ready to go so, thankfully, fall asleep by 130.
Wednesday 16th A late morning, a chance to post some things, stock up on
a few things at the supermarket, finally sort out my LAN flight for 7th March from Santiago to Lima (only about GB35 to change, had thought it might be GBP200, shows how much I understand about changing flights!). By 230pm I'm finally ready to collect my bike... It takes a while for the YHA to find one which they can unlock (new management took over in last month/2 and many things are still mid-repair), but by 3pm I'm on my way. I have no fixed plan but head to the right, find myself heading for Acacia Bay... Involves a few hills! Some great scenery, a stop for some liquid, and by 5pm I'm back at the YHA ready for another dip in the sea. The evening involves the internet, dinner, and chatting to Ren who works at the YHA. Need an early night as getting up 5am to hike the Tongariro crossing.. But someone's having a loud conversation until 1am (threw earplugs away weeks ago, didn't work for me!)
Thursday 17th See
The Tongariro Crossing... Onto Wellington on Friday 18th.
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