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Published: December 19th 2006
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New Zealand
This is what its all about! Seasonal greeting to you all! We arrived into Auckland (3rd Dec) only to be greeted with the cold, we spent only two nights in Auckland as there was not much to do, we visited Aucklands Skytower, its harbour and the art gallery (Monday= free admission day, we're on a budget!)
The best way to travel around New Zealand is by joining a backpacker tour group, our guides and transport was a big orange bus called Stray! From Auckland we went to Hahei where there were beautiful beaches, however the weather did not match our beach surroundings. That evening we enjoyed a kiwi BBQ at the campsite cooked by our bus driver/travel guide. Next stop was Raglan renowed for surfing, however we opted for a mountain trek instead. Onwards to Rotorua where there is lots of geothermal activity ie hot water springs, that smell of rotten egg's. So as you can imagine the place just smelt of farts!
That evening we went to a Maori cluture (native New Zealand) dinner, where we saw a traditional Maori ceremony and ate food cooked in a earth oven. We left the fart smelling place and move on to the Waitomo cave's, here we
Franz Joseph
Our 6 hour climb, visted some of the many caves hidden away in the countryside, inside each cave are millions of glow worms, which resembeled a blanket of stars, very pretty!. That evening we stayed in Taupo, an area famous for its large lake. The following monring we moved on to Tongariro National Park, where a lot filming for Lord of the rings was done. We were both really looking forward to doing the 8 hour Tongariro park crossing, but the weather once again spoilt our fun! Instead we setteled for a visit to 'Gollums Poll' and a drive by 'Moutain Doom', which was stunning, pictures and words do not do it any justice. From Tongariro we on moved to Wellington where we left our bus tour to fly across to the southern island to met our third wheel (Arti).
Arrived into Chirstchurch (11th Dec) where we greated our beloved Arti, who seemed to have brought the sunshine with her, as the following day was the one and only day of sunshine we had whilst in New Zealand. We spent our day in chirstchurch's botanical park and exploring this cute and relaxed little city. From Chirstchurch we took a scenic train ride to
Franz Joseph
Tear of the glacier Greymouth where once again we joined another big orange bus, to travel across the southern island. Our first two nights were spent in and area near the Franz Joseph glacier, where we climbed 300 meters up the glacier, it was an amazing experience but very tiring. The following morning our muscles were aching, but it was' Tu Miki' (NZ slag for cool), and it was deffinately worth the pain! Onward to Makaror via the Haast river, which has lovely shades of blue, as its full of water from the glacier. When we arrived in Makarora were we did a 15 minute helicopter flight over the lakes, valleys and mountains in Makarora, its was breath taking. After an eveing in the bar singing Karioke with the rest of our bus, we retired to our room for the evening only to be accompanied by 5 furry un-invited guest's of the mouse kind! Yes we had mice running round our room and in our food bags!! YUK. Finally on to Queenstown, it was by far the best city south of the island, on for first night we were good girls and went out for a cup of tea!!!!!!! (basically cocktails served in a
teapot). The following day we got kitted up into the rather unatractive wet suits and experinced water rafting, we manged to tackle a grade 4 rapid, not bad for a raft full of girls. Queenstown really is the adrelane junkies city, its a place where you have the option to do any extreme sport that takes your fancy. I (Neelu) finally got the chance to Skydive 12,000ft out of an plane, yes people I jumped, it was an very cool experince, SWEET AS!, by the time you acknowledge what is happening the freefall is already over! Returned to Chirstchuch (19th Dec) to fly out to Australia!
Although our time in New Zealand was short it was ' As sweet as'. it truely is a beautiful country with soo many scenic points and natural beauties which the country has done a good job of preserving, along the way we also met some lovely people whilst on our bus tours to share the experince with!
So its a a G'day mate! to Australia..........................
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rekha.a
non-member comment
just the three
hi girls i can see your having a great time just the three of you.... It looks very cold i hope you'll wrap up gee and ariya are cooming for lunch 2mo we'll be thinking of you merry christmas galsxxxxx