Are you speaking English???

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New Zealand has really turned Elizabeth and I into quite the active little hikers...After spending a relaxing few days in Taupo we hopped back on the bus to head to River Valley...On the way we stopped at Tongariro National Park to go on a hike...It was through a forest to the base of a huge waterfall...Although the water was freezing we threw on our suits and trudged through the falls...I fell and we were both screaming cause it was sooo cold...The hike took us past 3 different volcanoes...One of which was used as Mount Doom in Lord of the Rings...From there we headed into River Valley which is a lodge located in a basin right next to a river...From there we headed to the pub for happy hour and the owners of the lodge cooked up a huge roast meal for everyone on the bus...After dinner everyone played this game in the main hall of the lodge...There was this huge meal table and the competition was to start on top and climb around the table top without touching the ground...It was sooo hard and only two people ended up being able to do it...I have the bruises to prove it too...The next day we layed out for a bit before heading down to Wellington...On a side note NZ has these gross little bugs called sand flies...They are awful and you don't know they have attacked you until the next day...When your legs are rittled with bites...Thank God for my 25% DEET spray...Unfortunately on our ride to Wellington our bus blew out part of its suspension and we were stuck on the side of the road for about two hours...The next day we caught the ferry from Wellington into Picton...The crossing was really beautiful and the boat travels through a huge sound into the South Island harbor...On the way into Nelson we stopped at a winery for a tasting...It was a great way to start the morning...The place we stayed in Nelson was a quiet B and B place...It seemed a bit odd for 50 young backpackers to be staying in such a quiet place...So we ended up calling it a quiet evening...The next day we left for Westport which was even worse compared to Nelson...On the way we stopped at a Glacier lake called Rotoiti...After a hike around the terrain we had lunch on the shore...Upon arriving in Westport the bus took us to an adventure company that specializes in Jet Boating...Basically, Jet Boating uses the same system as Jet Skiing to make the boat go really fast!!!...They manuvered us up a river, barely missing rock walls and submerged trees and at the same time doing 360s and completely soaking us in water...Westport, was less than amusing...It took us 5 minutes to walk around the whole town and our guide mentioned that the town floods about twice a year...One time it was soo bad that the waters picked up the local pub and carried it down the main street to the sea...The next day we hopped on the coach and continued south...On the way we stopped to hike along the coast to sea a fur seal colony...The walk was breath taking and it followed a hilly trail right along the coast...After the hike we took the bus to the Poo Pub...Almost everyday this lodge hosts a huge costume party for the Kiwi Experience bus...So after another delicious home cooked meal...(We seem to getting fed very well!!!) We put on our costume and headed to the pub...They had a drinking game called boat races...so Elizabeth and I as well as three British girls formed a team...NAME: Team THIRSTY!!! We were the first all girl team in Kiwi Experience History to win the competition...Number 1 out of about 4,000 parties...I hope you're proud mom! The next day we got up and headed to a bushman lodge...For all you Mahony men...You would love this place...There were signs like, "Vegetarian is a piss poor excuse for being a bad hunter!"...And they had a whole exhibit on live deer trapping for farming...They take up a helicopter with a net gun...Shoot the gun at the deer and then jump from the plane...Tackling the deer in the process...It was bizarre/INSANE!!!!...After a nice country fried breakfast we got back on the bus and headed for Franz Josef...For winning the Boat Race competition we were awarded free passes to a local hot springs spa...So after checking in...Team THIRSTY went for a victory soak...Tomorrow we are taking an 8 hour full day hike through a glacier...We get kitted out in full trekking gear including crampons and ice pick walking stick...I think we can survive...On a side note...Although we thought we were escaping the language barrier...It followed us to NZ...Here are some terms that we have added to our vocab...*sweet as = that's cool *chips = fries *crisps = chips *biscuit = cookies *swimmers = bathing suit *torch = flash light *jandals = sandals *gherkins = pickles *capsicum = green peppers *tea = dinner *bap = dinner roll *straighterners =straightener (for some reason they pluralize things) *bird = girl *bloke = guy *banger = sausage *boot = car trunk *cheers = good by/good luck *light beer = a shandy ( I made the mistake of ordering a light beer--really it's a half beer and half lemonade...those from the UK, AU and NZ do not believe in light beer) *fringe = hair bangs *jersey = sweater *pissed = drunk Anyways...Hope everyone is doing well!!! We will be in touch soon!! love, K and E

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Comments

[Mommy]

Go Team THIRSTY!
You both make us so proud! To acsend from NCAA Div.1 track athletes to becoming the first all female drinking champions of Kiwi Adventures! Well words cannot explain our pride! This is going in the Christmas letter for sure! We love reading about all of your adventures, sounds more amazing each week. Thought you would be in Melbourne by now? We are mailing your Christmas pony to Noreen's. Be safe and call soon. We miss you. Hey Zeus met the Lakers Girls yesterday at a St. Joe's Christmas party. The Laker Girls LOVE Hey Zeus! XXO, La Mommy

[anonymous]

I'm so jealous and kinda hate you guys right now...take notes so I can go to all the good spots when I go. love you, molly