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Published: September 16th 2009
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Hi Everyone,
Sorry it's taken us so long to add a new entry internet has been a bit of a nightmare!! Well we've done the North Island now so here's the highlights.
Day One - Auckland - We werent that blown away at first. Maybe because we were too busy finding a hostel and sorting out our bus ticket. We opted to go with intercity to avoid the 18-30's style Kiwi Experience. Yes Were getting old! Definately recommend it though as it's been spot on for us.
To be fair to Auckland the harbour and all its yachts is really pretty and the city tower is pretty impressive.
Day Two - Paihia (Pie-here) The next morning we travelled up to the Bay of Islands and stayed in Paihia. We didnt go for a boat trip which we regret a bit but instead had a great time kayaking around the bay. We managed not to capsize which was a bonus. We also did some mountain biking too.
Day Three - Nothing exciting. We wanted to go to Hamilton but the bus pass said no so we returned to Auckland which on the plus side meant we good
go the the musuem which which impressive. Quite a bit of Maori stuff and a Spitfire jet!
Day Four - Waitomo - tiny little place with about three hostels a pub and some caves. They are really cool though as they are filled with thousands of glow worms. Unfortunately you couldnt take pictures because it would have been awesome to show you lot.
Day Five, six and seven - Rotorua - Boy does this place smell. Bit like some of you guys after a night on the pop and a dirty donna kebab. You do get used to it after a while but the sulphur smell is enough to make your eyes water at first. Whilst here we had luxury spa - the natural water temperature from the springs was 39 degrees, took in a Maori show at Te Puia - this included the haka and visted the main Geyser in Roturua. The Geyser was class shooting hot water 35ft in the air.
Day Eight and Nine - Taupo - Best two days of the trip so far! Over to Jarvo! Hi everyone, well our first day in Taupo involved the scariest but most amazing thing we
have ever done - a 12,000 ft skydive!!! It was amazing the feeling is undescribable definately want to do another one (15,000 ft next time maybe in Australia money depending!) We are trying to upload our DVDs (which i'm sure you will all find v.funny!) but we're having problems at the mo with the computers accepting them as soon as we can we will so watch this space! The second day invloved us completing the Tongariro Alpine Crossing (it is a 19.4km - the .4 is v.important! walk which took 8 hours!!) The views were spectacular one minute we were walking through snow the next over hills near beautiful lakes it was amazing and something the camera doesn't do justice! I unfortunately got a bit sunburnt as you might be able to tell from the pic but it's all better now - don't worry Mum :-). As you can imagine we returned from our walk feeling v.tired and achy but it was well worth it so we treated ourselves to some traditional New Zealand food a Macdonalds!!!!
Day Ten and eleven - Hastings - Hastings is a lovely place quite small but very clean and some nice views. The
first day was mainly spent getting our bearings and booking our wine tour for the next day (Hastings is the main wine region behind Marlborough so we were forced to go on a wine tour really :-) There was six of us on the wine tour and the others were all really nice so it was a good day. We went to four wineries (including the oldest one - The Mission) and we tasted 30 + wines (red, white, 1 rose and a couple of dessert wines oh and an ice wine whatever that is?!) They were all really nice granted our taste buds wern't as good towards the end so not certain about the last few! It's safe to say we were quite tipsy by the end of the day so the platter of food we got served in the last place was a real treat (bread, cheese, olives, salmon, musscles, steak, peppers and plenty more which we can't remember it was v.nice!)
Day twelve and thirteen - Wellington - We arrived in Wellington to our first rainy day of the trip! We didn't get the best start because we couldn't find a decent hostel there were some
real dives! Anyhoo got one in the end and went for a look around it stopped raining yey! so we had our tea then went to the cinema to see The Saving Of Pelham 123. We both thought it was an ok film but nothing to write home about Ha Ha! The next day was spent visiting the best museum in New Zealand 'Te Papa' where we saw lots of good exhibitions and had a go in an earthquake simulator (basically a house that rocked from side to side for a bit - not the best but it was a bit of fun!) We also went on the cable car to the botanical gardens where we looked at some lovely views.
Day Fourteen - Wellington - Picton (Cook Strait) The ferry crossing was amazing it took 3 hours and part of the trip took us through the Marlbourough sounds it was beautiful. Arrived in Picton which was a lovely place and booked our accomodation for the next two nights ................ (the story continues when we finish in the South Island will update you then x)
P.S Finally got out BBH cards which give you discount at loads of
good hostels and activities - defo recommend it if anyone has any trips to New Zealand planned.
P.P.S Thanks for all your messages it's lovely hearing from you all will be in touch soon ..... if we survive our bungy jump ........
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Pilk
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Sounds awesome again. Even more jealous now. Apples - what is that bloody fuzz on your face?!?! I suppose you're in the right country for an old hobbit impression. laters......