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Published: June 24th 2006
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Update from Zoe
The All Blacks game was brilliant (even though Ireland lost), the public transport here is really good and they laid shuttles on to Eden Park, which is out of the city centre. It was absolutely peeing it down and we were in the uncovered part, so we blagged a bin liner from the bar and both sat in it - it all added to the experience!
The next day we had a mooch about Auckland, which is nice our hostel is right in the centre so it makes getting around really easy. Just before dusk we went up the sky tower, it was a great time to go, as we go to enjoy the amazing views in the daytime and night (although not so sure dan was enjoying the views at the very high height!). We then went and got some dinner and went to the cinema to see X-men 3.
The next day we got a ferry to Rangitoto Island, as someone we met in Fiji recommended. It is a volcanic island, which has very few people living on it. The island is now covered in vegetation, but you can still see all the
volcanic rock from 600 years ago. It's a really nice place and we walked to the summit and saw some more amazing views of the city. Pretty knackered and cold by the end though.
We got the Kiwi Experience bus (basically a coach tour, which stops off at all the touristy and not so touristy places). People on the bus are nice and as it's a smaller group (approx 18) we have had the chance to get to know everyone. Fortunately it's a good group because we are pretty much going to be together for our time in NZ. We also bought a few more clothes today, as it is bloody freezing here and it's only going to get colder as we move downwards! Went to Mercury Bay, which is pretty but not an ideal place to visit in the winter. The hostel was really nice though - a home from home! It's called Turtle cove, would highly recommend that one.
Next day we headed to a place called Rotorua. It stinks of eggy farts because of all the sulphur and thermal pools and stuff there. The hostel called Hot Rocks had thermal pools and a heated outdoor
Pre-abseil
Pre-abseil nerves! pool, which was absolutely lush. On the way there we stopped for a walk, which I think we'll be doing often, very nice walks lovely scenery and they're really well kept here. We also did some luging down a massive hill - brilliant fun if not quite scary when you go up in the ski lift thing. In the evening we went to Tamaki Maori village; Rotorua has the highest population of Maori living there, so they use this to set up a few tourist attractions. The evening involves a formal greeting in to the village and then you walk around the village learning about how Maori life was. Then there was singing and dancing, including the Haka and then a massive buffet dinner. It was really interesting to go to and more importantly the food was lovely!
Next day we headed to Waitomo, before leaving Rotorua we went to a park to see the thermal pool and geysers, very stinky. Bit of a chill out day today, went for a walk; then cooked some dinner before playing card games with with everyone in the evening - please note dan lost twice.
The following day we did black water rafting. It started by putting freezing cold wetsuits on; then abseiling 35m into the cave - i didn't particularly like that bit, although dan was loving it. We then did a short zip wire in the pitch black to go further in - awesome fun or as everyone in NZ says it was 'sweet as'. Then we got rubber rings jumped 3m into freezing water - the leap of faith, which i just about forced myself to do then we floated along looking at all the glo worms, which looked amazing. We then did some more caving before climbing up a couple of waterfalls to get out - easy! It was quite alot of money, but it was worth every penny, although dan has said he wouldn't do it again. A few hours later we finally had warmed up and we arrived in Taupo. Town by a massive lake. Nice place and somewhere people come to do cheap sky dives, not us though cos we're big wussies! Went out for a few bevvies with bus peeps last night. They had free beer in the club, so everyone was out.
Next couple of days will be chill out ones for us, maybe do a few walks. Unfortunately we cannot do the popular Tongarairo crossing as the snow is to much for us to do it (it's waist deep) which is a shame.
Ta ta for now everyone
Zoe
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lou
non-member comment
hey!
hey i have missed speaking to you twice now and im not happy! mum says youve lost weight so when you come back we can share clothes now?! sounds like you having an amzing time and i love reading your blogs...bit jealous but guess its expected. ive finnished school now and had my first waitressing job yesterday hard work but fun! looking forward to speaking to and seeing you soon, much love and hugs and kisses and more love, louise xxx