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Published: March 12th 2009
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15/2/09 = Huka Falls and a near Bungy Jump
Woke up early to try and use internet (slipping ever more behind), but as usual, was full and had queue of people waiting...even at 8am! Had cereal, then got showered and ready for day. Pleased to say belly gone down a little (can see feet now), but not pleased that new hairdo stinks of bonfire. Bugged me all night! Couldn't bring myself to wash it (still in a decentish style), so just laquered it with wax to cover smell. Funny the things you do when you are travelling! Packed up and got ready to set off to Taupo earlier than planned. Was only a short journey and got into Taupo before midday = really good. Tried to get into cheapest hostel we found in our little guide book, but it was full, so went to YHA instead. Had to tell little white lie that Deb had a YHA card too, but it worked out and got a decent dorm room. Had a little wonder round to check out facilities and found guy from Hull - Bobby - in front of TV. Made big joke of it (he obsessed with watching films),
then headed on out for day. Asked reception what was good to do in town and Deb decided to do a bungy jump....not for me thanks. Was also a really good walk passed a hot water stream and to some cool waterfall, and it went right by bungy station, so decided to head off and do that, calling in for bungy on way.
Only took 20mins to get bungy point and pretty impressed when we got there. Was only a small jump (well, in bungy terms anyway), but was over a really beautiful, bright blue lake. Scenery was lovely and water was some of bluest ever seen. Stood on banks and watched a few people jump and then something funny happened. I found myself thinking that it looked really good and actually contemplating jumping myself. What?! Watched a few more people because Deb was feeling a little nervous and I tried to fathem what was happening inside my crazy little mind! Went to check out bridge had to walk across to do the jump...that would be the real test. Sure enough, standing on bridge looking down started to make me feel ill, although still didn't completely push idea out
of my mind. Thought about it seriously for a couple of minutes, then decided not to jump for the following reasons:
1) Was wearing a dress and no way would jump with that on! Wouldn't subject anyone to that!
2) Jump was just even more money that I didn't really have
3) Already hoping to do a bungy swing in Queenstown...maybe...and that = a smiliar thing.
So, no, decided against bungy and let Deb get on and do hers. She went to pay and then we waited on the bridge until it was her turn. Looked nervous, but I knew she would do it. Got closer to her turn, so I headed off to viewpoint to try and get pictures. Viewing platform was quite far away and didn't have glasses on, so could barely tell who was jumping. People just looked like tiny specs of colour. Lucky Deb had her hawaiian shorts on...could see those colourful bad boys for miles around! Had to watch a couple of specs jump before her, but the she stepped up and off she went over edge. Heard her scream, laughed as she twanged up and down on rope and then it was all over
in less than 30secs. Was too quick for camera to even catch it. She came walking back up track 5mins later and had really enjoyed it. Good work. Went back to office then, purchased every piece of memerobilia possible, then headed off to do walk.
Was a nice walk along river and got to Hot Water Stream first. Was a beautiful, sunny day, so really excited to swim in warm water of river. Didn't really know what to expect, but was really cool when we got there. Loads of people in water, all huddled around one part of a stream leading into river. They were all laughing and chilling out and couldn't believe quite a few of them were drinking too. Not just a can of lager, but they had whole bottles of wine. Brilliant...that's the way to do it. If this had been Normy, there would have been a full on brawl and riot vans present! Really wanted to get in, but still had quite a big walk to Huka Falls, so decided to walk to them first, then come back to stream. Was a nice walk to falls, albeit hilly, although have come to expect that now
People lounging in Hot Water stream
Alcohol and all.
Would be afull on riot and rioot police if this was England! in NZ. Passed a few runners on way...no idea how they were making it up hills, was tough enough to walk. Quite relieved when we finally heard sound of water and saw a bridge ahead. Bridge led over water, so we headed onto it. Water below was amazing; gushing with a force and speed I have never seen before. No way would survive if fell into churning like that. Watched it quite mesmorised for a whille - a bit like watching fire - then headed to main point where water came over the edge to form waterfall. That was pretty amazing too. Definitely worth the walk.
Did the 45min walk back and couldn't believe all hills again. For all walk to falls, had only noticed uphill, but there must have been plenty of downhill too, because the walk back was just as tough! Pleased to arrive at Hot Water again and even more pleased that could get in this time. Plonked straight in. Wasn't all hot, as expected. In fact, some parts of it were totally freezing. Suprising how unbelievably changeable water was. Could have one leg in boiling water and other in freezing. Became clear why all people
were so close together. Had to do a bit of mooching, but then found perfect spot of warm water and sat on a rock in it. Lovely. Looked around and felt pretty lucky to be chilling in a hot water stream, on a beautiful day...not rubbing it in. Sat for a while, then decided to brave it and try a little swim. Immediately regretted decision when moved. Water was freezing and the further out I got, the colder it got. Swam out to main current of river and water was so cold it actually took my breath. Didn't stay long...soon doggy paddled back to the hot spot. Sat for a while getting warm again, then got out, got dry in sun and headed back to hostel.
Was already 5;15 and took another 25mins to get back to hostel. Both a bit shattered at this point and ready for a sit down, but was a really cheap internet shop in town that coudln't resist, so grabbed our things and off we went again, ignoring hungry tunmmies. Found shop easily and collapsed gratefully onto padded chair. Had to buy an expensive chocolate bar for energy (a girl's got to eat!), then
powered away and blogged for 3 and a half hours! Now if that's not dedictaion to the cause, I don't know what is! Still miles behind and felt like got nothing done after all that time even, but brain and body could take no more, so did the walk back in the dark. Deb had already set off 30mins before me, so was now just me and darkness of 9:15pm. Not usually bothered by dark and would walk happily by myself at home, but, got to admit, as walked along down empty town centre...eerily empty, did feel myself a little scared. I can see you nodding your head and tutting at me from here Mum. I know...I won't do it again! Hurried along in shadows doing the typical horror film thing of looking back over my shoulder (must be some kind of innate instinct...I just couldn't control it!) and arrived at hostel out of breath, sweaty, but alive 😊 Found Deb in TV room watching one of favourite films = rubbish. Really needed to get to bed early, but was no way could not watch Man on Fire. Plonked self down - neither of us could be bothered with dinner
- and watched that for next 2 and a half hours. Well, at least I did, Deb fell asleep before opening theme tune had even finished! V.disappointed in her too because she had never seen film. Finished just before midnight, nudged Deb to wake her up, then went off to bed. Room silent and dark with everyone sleeping, so used trusty torch to locate bed and pyjamas and that was me for the night.
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