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Published: July 29th 2009
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Hey!!
Well thats me done in NZ and its been a mad few weeks, lots going on. After catching the ferry we had a night free camping and then chilled in Wellington. BIRTHDAY SEASON!! First skype i've ever done and had the pleasure of the Mead dinner table for D's birthday. LOVE AND MISS YOU ALL!! X X
Headed to Taupo on the sunday, another driving day. On Monday we attempted to skydive but the weather wasnt good so we rescheduled for the morning. We ended up going to Rotarua instead. On the way we stopped to see Huka Falls - a nice spot, some of the natural thermal springs (smelly sulphur!) and we also got to sample some honeys and meads at a honey farm shop. Very random, but you know we never miss an opportunity to drink, especially if it shares my name! In Rotarua we went to a reconstructed old Maori village in the evening. They told us of the traditions, and how life used to be in NZ and got to see traditional dancing, including the Haka (what they do before rugby matches) and then we had a lovely meal cooked in an earth oven over
hot rocks. Really good evening. We picked a spot to stop for the night and free camped.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!! and Matt of course! Don had put banners over the van and had brought with her some cards from you lovely people at home. Thanks guys! Started the day in the traditional manner... 15,000ft skydive in minus 15 degree air! Despite the cold, it was still beautiful and clear. We saw Lake Taupo, snowy mountains in Tongariro National Park, the thermal valley and the ocean. Loved it as much as the one in Oz and so did Don. Hard to beat that start so we had a chilled few hours and went to the hotel Don had booked us for the evening. Our room had a outdoor hot pool and we ended up getting a few bottles of vino, some take out and settled into our pool! It was a lovely evening.
We left Rotarua for Tongariro National Park on Weds. On Thursday got up nice and early and headed to Whakapapa Ski Village on Mount Ruaperu. We hired some equipment and booked a snowboarding lesson. It was so difficult! But after our lesson we stayed on the slopes
for a few hours and both managed to make it all the way down without falling over! Still had very sore muscles after though!
Headed to Auckland on friday... driving day. Went into Auckland city and did a bit of shopping before going to the Rugby - All Blacks vs Aussies. NZ won 19-16, was a great match. We met up with Alex again and his mates and went out for the eve. Ended up dancing in a latin american club until 4am.
A little hungover, we drove up to Cape Reigna on Sunday, right at the tip of north island. Its a very sacred point for the Maori people where they believe souls pass onto the next life. Its also the point where the Tasmin Sea and Pacific meet and you can see where they collide, which was pretty cool. Free camped for the night and hit the sand dunes at 90 mile beach in the morning. Hoped to sand board but no one was hiring boards so we attempted to glide gracefully on plastic bags... not so much! resulted in rolling down the damn things and getting dizzy! Was cool though. Then we went to Waitangi covered in
sand. We went to where the Waitangi treaty was signed, an important document concerning British sovereignty where we duped them for land rights. Nice one England. Stayed the night in Russel, one of the coastal towns of the Bay of Islands. Its a lovely area but we decided not to get on a boat to see it properly though found a lovely look out point. Stopped the night in Mangawai and took a lovely 3hr walk around the headlands before heading back to Auckland on a beautifully sunny and warm day. Went into the city for the night and met up with Charlotte and Carl. And then on thurs we had to give the van back. Gutted. One last night in New Zealand and we had goodbye drink with Charlotte and Carl. AND THEN... well, we won $1600!! We got a raffle ticket when we bought a drink, our ticket was pulled and then Don picked the joker out of a board of cards to win it! How cool is that?? Nice little leaving suprise. Friday was a little sad as said goodbye to Don before flying back to Melbourne...
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