.JPG)
Scuba diving!
beaching it with Brooke at Piha Beach
surf lessons at Surfer's Paradise
Blackwater Rafting at Waitomo
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Trip's Highlights :)
Scuba diving! beaching it with Brooke at Piha BeachBlackwater Rafting at Waitomo
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Airplane Leg 2, going home, well almost! (Feb. 13th again, North American time)
Once in the San Fran airport (at 10:43am), I headed to the Air Canada desk. Somehow I was booked on a 6pm flight instead of the 3:30 flight listed on my itinerary. They (AC people) told me that during the period of time after my flight had been booked, there had been a flight time change and that the 6pm was the only flight available to Vancouver that day. I went over to the United Airlines desk (at the other end of the airport) to see if they could put me on their 1pm flight (UA and AC are both part of the Star Alliance). Well they told me that since my ticket was booked so long ago, my booking number didn't work in their system. So I had to run back to the AC desk to get a booking number printed out. They (AC people) told me that they couldn't do anything. They expected me to sit in the airport for 7 hours! Yeah right, that wasn't going to happen! By this time, it was almost 12pm. I ended up calling the Aeroplan people (my mom booked the ticket through them). Told them the situation and they changed it all. Put me on the United 1pm, YAY! I quickly ran back to the United desk to get my ticket printed and bag checked. Security was next and then I was in the terminal looking for food. Ate a mixed green salad with lemon and basil vinegrette, and also a piece of banana bread (in 15 minutes). Boarded the plane and was on my way back to Canada!
I met my parents at the Pan Pacific that night. They missed me ;) !!! We went out for dinner at The Keg and drove home the next day.
I met my parents at the Pan Pacific that night. They missed me ;) !!! We went out for dinner at The Keg and drove home the next day.
Piha Beach/Airplane Leg 1 (Feb. 13th)
Was a great day (never really ended actually). Woke up late and called Brooke. She had to quickly do a running workout, so I went for a walk downtown. About 15 minutes before I was supposed to meet her, I thought I'd catch a bus back to the hostel (since I was running behind schedule). I saw a free bus coming down the road. I thought that was sweet luck, so I hopped it thinking that it would continue to head down the same street. Was wrong! It ended up turning and taking me out to the Auckland University. I got off there and quickly ran back down to the road where I got on the bus. From there I couldn't see any buses, so I booked it back to the hostel. Got there at 11:30 on the dot!
Brooke came and picked me up. We drove up a winding road that was surrounded with lots of lush green vegetation. At the top of the road, we pulled over to a lookout over the entire city. Was an amazing view!
We got back into the car and continued on to Piha beach. It was the first black sand beach I've ever been to. After setting up camp on the beach, Brooke booked it to the water for a swim while I soaked up the hot sun rays (as many as I could before I had to head back home later that day). Brooke's boyfriend showed up later on; nice guy, a physiotherapist like her. He brought his surf board to ride the waves.
The wind picked up after a bit. Blew quite a bit of sand over us. It looked as if I had been peppered. I had sand in everyplace! In my ears, belly button, my nose...
We left the beach in the late afternoon so that I could catch the air bus to the airport. Once back in Auckland, we went out for coffee before I headed up to the hostel for a quick shower.
I caught the air bus and got to the airport later than I planned. Quickly rushed through all the security to get to the terminal. Actually had to go through security twice since the USA has thier own security screening at the airport (first time through was NZ security). Got to the gate just in time. Yay! This time I flew the big leg of the flight on Air New Zealand (from Auckland to San Francisco). I have to say that it's now one of my favorites.
The take-off was beautiful. It was at sunset and we flew out over the ocean. Once we were up in the sky the plane turned and headed back over New Zealand.
The plane was about half full, so I ended up having 3 seats to myself. Stuffed 5 pillows behind my back and stretched my legs out over the seats. Covered myself with 3 blankets, super cozy (built a little nest). All of the seats had tvs in the back of them. You could watch any movie you wanted to. Since the 3rd seat in my row had no seat infront of it, a tv popped up from under the armrest. Perfect! I had a tv right at the end of my feet! After going through the guide, there was 8 movies I wanted to see (but couldn't because it was only a 12 hour flight). I actually only ended up watching 3 of them: Open Season (hilarious), Marie Antoinette (not that great) and The Guardian (good). My dinner was lamb and potatoes (until I spilt it on the floor; was trying to plug headphones in without moving too much, oops). I ended up getting in a descent 5 hours of sleep (yikes, should of just watched 2). I bought some homeopathic jet-lag pills back in New Zealand and I seriously think they've hugely reduced my jet-leg (feeling pretty great; well heaps better than I did when I arrived in Sydney).
The plane landed in San Francisco and I got to relive Feb. 13th again (I guess it's my groundhog day :)).
Brooke came and picked me up. We drove up a winding road that was surrounded with lots of lush green vegetation. At the top of the road, we pulled over to a lookout over the entire city. Was an amazing view!
We got back into the car and continued on to Piha beach. It was the first black sand beach I've ever been to. After setting up camp on the beach, Brooke booked it to the water for a swim while I soaked up the hot sun rays (as many as I could before I had to head back home later that day). Brooke's boyfriend showed up later on; nice guy, a physiotherapist like her. He brought his surf board to ride the waves.
The wind picked up after a bit. Blew quite a bit of sand over us. It looked as if I had been peppered. I had sand in everyplace! In my ears, belly button, my nose...
We left the beach in the late afternoon so that I could catch the air bus to the airport. Once back in Auckland, we went out for coffee before I headed up to the hostel for a quick shower.
I caught the air bus and got to the airport later than I planned. Quickly rushed through all the security to get to the terminal. Actually had to go through security twice since the USA has thier own security screening at the airport (first time through was NZ security). Got to the gate just in time. Yay! This time I flew the big leg of the flight on Air New Zealand (from Auckland to San Francisco). I have to say that it's now one of my favorites.
The take-off was beautiful. It was at sunset and we flew out over the ocean. Once we were up in the sky the plane turned and headed back over New Zealand.
The plane was about half full, so I ended up having 3 seats to myself. Stuffed 5 pillows behind my back and stretched my legs out over the seats. Covered myself with 3 blankets, super cozy (built a little nest). All of the seats had tvs in the back of them. You could watch any movie you wanted to. Since the 3rd seat in my row had no seat infront of it, a tv popped up from under the armrest. Perfect! I had a tv right at the end of my feet! After going through the guide, there was 8 movies I wanted to see (but couldn't because it was only a 12 hour flight). I actually only ended up watching 3 of them: Open Season (hilarious), Marie Antoinette (not that great) and The Guardian (good). My dinner was lamb and potatoes (until I spilt it on the floor; was trying to plug headphones in without moving too much, oops). I ended up getting in a descent 5 hours of sleep (yikes, should of just watched 2). I bought some homeopathic jet-lag pills back in New Zealand and I seriously think they've hugely reduced my jet-leg (feeling pretty great; well heaps better than I did when I arrived in Sydney).
The plane landed in San Francisco and I got to relive Feb. 13th again (I guess it's my groundhog day :)).
Bus from Paihia to Auckland (Feb. 12)
I woke up early to catch the 8am bus back to Auckland. Katie and Jess also woke up early to head off to a town to work in a greenhouse (planting orchid shoots). They ended up giving me a ride to the bus stop. Sweet, I didn't have to carry my stuff all the way there :).
Ended up sleeping most of the way on the bus. Also met a couple from Merritt, BC.
Once in Auckland I hiked up to the hostel I was booked in at (with my backpack, two side bags and purse). It was uphill the entire way! Took me about 30minutes to get there and by the time I reached the door I was drenched in sweat. I quickly got myself together and booked it back outside to go downtown Auckland. It was so nice and hot out. Went to some souvenir shops and the huge All Blacks shop (NZ world champion rugby team).
Met up with David after (he took a later bus because he wanted to sleep in) at a Belgium bar. Dinner for me was Belgium waffles with fruit and yogurt, yummy. David had this huge pot of mussels and fries.
I called my kiwi friend Brooke later on, and we planned to hook up for the day tomorrow (she lives in Auckland). The plan is to head out to one of the western beaches near Auckland and soak up some sun.
Ended up sleeping most of the way on the bus. Also met a couple from Merritt, BC.
Once in Auckland I hiked up to the hostel I was booked in at (with my backpack, two side bags and purse). It was uphill the entire way! Took me about 30minutes to get there and by the time I reached the door I was drenched in sweat. I quickly got myself together and booked it back outside to go downtown Auckland. It was so nice and hot out. Went to some souvenir shops and the huge All Blacks shop (NZ world champion rugby team).
Met up with David after (he took a later bus because he wanted to sleep in) at a Belgium bar. Dinner for me was Belgium waffles with fruit and yogurt, yummy. David had this huge pot of mussels and fries.
I called my kiwi friend Brooke later on, and we planned to hook up for the day tomorrow (she lives in Auckland). The plan is to head out to one of the western beaches near Auckland and soak up some sun.
Friday, February 9, 2007
Mack Attack! (Feb. 10 & 11th)
Feb. 11th
Today was jet boating day...
The ocean was going crazy, there were huge waves. The jet boat flew high, what a ride! (I got wet of course) Our guide took us through the islands and out to the island that had a hole in it (the furthest one). Usually boats can go through the hole but since it was too rough today we didn't (our guide didn't want to chance it). The ocean swells were almost touching the roof of the hole!
The guide gave us a commentary of some of the islands and the lighthouse throughout the trip. Some really good stories about the Maori people. The only wildlife I saw during the whole ride were water birds. Fun times!
Feb. 12th
Our little group (David, Jess, Katie and me), took the fast jet boat ferry over to the little old town of Russell today. The first hotel/bar built in New Zealand was there and that was where we all ate lunch. It seems as though the sun is always shining in Russell, even when the weather's bad in Paihia.
Today was jet boating day...
The ocean was going crazy, there were huge waves. The jet boat flew high, what a ride! (I got wet of course) Our guide took us through the islands and out to the island that had a hole in it (the furthest one). Usually boats can go through the hole but since it was too rough today we didn't (our guide didn't want to chance it). The ocean swells were almost touching the roof of the hole!
The guide gave us a commentary of some of the islands and the lighthouse throughout the trip. Some really good stories about the Maori people. The only wildlife I saw during the whole ride were water birds. Fun times!
Feb. 12th
Our little group (David, Jess, Katie and me), took the fast jet boat ferry over to the little old town of Russell today. The first hotel/bar built in New Zealand was there and that was where we all ate lunch. It seems as though the sun is always shining in Russell, even when the weather's bad in Paihia.
Thursday, February 8, 2007
Paihia (Feb. 9)
The weather hasn't been too nice the past couple of days. I've actually never seen rain like this. It'll rain hard for 5 min and then stop, then in a couple minutes it'll rain hard again. We ended up cancelling our Cape Reinger trip today, since the bridge going up that way has been taken out by excess river water. Instead we booked a jet boat ride for tomorrow morning. Should be fun..
We changed hostels today. For dinner, David attempted to cook in our new hostel kitchen. It was a no go. Some of the burners didn't work, and those that did didn't really heat up our water (was making pasta). The water didn't even boil after being on the stove for 30min. He wasn't too impressed, so we got to do thai food again. YAY! Way better than pasta...
Later after dinner, we hooked up again with our Canadian girl friends, Katie and Jess. We all headed out to the Pipi Patch bar and then the Salty's bar. At the second bar a Katie and I got to spin the prize wheel. I won some accomodation thingy but traded it for 2 for 1 kyacking! It was a good night.
We changed hostels today. For dinner, David attempted to cook in our new hostel kitchen. It was a no go. Some of the burners didn't work, and those that did didn't really heat up our water (was making pasta). The water didn't even boil after being on the stove for 30min. He wasn't too impressed, so we got to do thai food again. YAY! Way better than pasta...
Later after dinner, we hooked up again with our Canadian girl friends, Katie and Jess. We all headed out to the Pipi Patch bar and then the Salty's bar. At the second bar a Katie and I got to spin the prize wheel. I won some accomodation thingy but traded it for 2 for 1 kyacking! It was a good night.
Paihia (Feb. 8th)
Today was a relaxing day (a bit worn out from the long bus ride). I slept in late, explored Paihia, and hung out in the hostel common room (watched a couple movies).
Bus from Rotorua to Paihia, Bay of Islands (Feb. 7th)
It was a pretty uneventful day (reading and sleeping). Took an 8 hour bus ride up half of the North Island. That was about it...checked into a hostel here in Paihia. We're actually staying with a couple of really cool Canadian girls, Katie and Jess.
Black Water Rafting/Polynesian Spa (Feb. 6th)
Woke up early and was picked up at the hostel by the Waitomo Wanderer bus at 7:30. I slept/read for most of 2 hour 15min bus ride to the Waitomo Caves. On the way though I saw the NZ countryside. It had lots of rolling hills top off with sheep and/or cows. The cows here look a lot different from home. They're not fatty here, but more healthy, well-fed looking.
The bus dropped us off at the Legendary Black Water Rafting Company. David had some nasty breaky deal. It ended up being some burnt white french toast with greasy bacon, grilled banana, whipped cream and chemical syrup. I had a herb chicken and avacado sandwich. Pretty good actually (also had a triple chocolate muffin to ease the nerves :) just joking, I was pumped).
We met our 2 guides and the rest of our group of 8. Went and got suited up. Was quite the process. First you had to put on little sockies, then wetsuit bottoms, shorts, wetsuit jacket, helmet and lastly booties. Looked funny, especially with the shorts. They gave us a little commentary on the wetsuits, telling us we couldn't pee in them (since water couldn't go through them; the socks stopped that). Told us that there would be pee breaks in the caves, yay!
Once suited, we did a little photoshoot before jumping on the happy bus (to take us to the caves).
At the caves we practiced repelling on the side of the hill, to get used to the equipement we'd be using. It was different stuff from that we used in the Blue Mountains (figure 8's). Here we used a device called the "rack." By using our thumb on it we could control the speed that repelled at (they also said it was "voice activated," it was joke; if we fell screaming the guy at the bottom would pull on the rope, thereby stopping us from falling any further)
After the practice runs we got prepped to go down the hole. The cave we were headed into was a bottle neck deal. The top (where we were starting) was very narrow and the bottom big. Some of the bigger guys had to wiggle their way through part of it.
I went second down into the cave (wanted to be sure the apparatus was in good working condition of course :) ). When I started going down, it got really narrow fast. It freaked me out a bit because the space was so small and I was headed into a big area of darkness.
While I was repelling in the dark I yelled out how much further did I have to go. The guide below yelled that I was halfway there. I was actually 5m from the floor, he came behind me and scared me half to death. The whole repell was about 35m.
He unclipped me from the rack and told me to head down the stairs deeper into the cave. Once down in the "waiting" area, with my headlamp off, I could see all the glowworms on the ceiling above. Looked really cool!
After everyone was in the cave, we climbed our way farther down into the cave. We got to look at stalagmites and glowworms close up. The guides educated us on the glowworms. They said that the glowworms are actually maggots. That if we looked closely we could see that they looked like tiny twigs with a glowing butt (enzymes in their poo). The glowworms dangle a web to catch food that they can bring into their mouth. Also that they live as maggots for 9 months before going into a cocoon and emerging as a fly (which looks like mozzies). They reproduce as these flies for 5 days before dying. Quite the life.
We continued walking through the cave until the path turned into a rock cliff. Since I was infront I was asking the guide where we were headed next. He turned around, clipped me into a harness device and said that it was bungee time. Of course he was joking...he had me at first though. He said it was the "flying fox." Whatever that was. So I put my legs together and went flying down on the rope in the dark. Screamed the whole way down and at the end of the line there was a loud boom noise. Was so freaked out. The other guide unclipped me from the line and got me to lay down so that the next person wouldn't smack into me. After we were all down it was snack time! Some sort of oat bar (which was really good) and tea (not a huge fan of, but I was cold).
They handed us out tubes and showed us how to jump into the river below. We floated in the river checking out the glow worms on ceilings. Part-way down the river the guide stopped us to do some mud face painting. Well I'm not the biggest fan of mud, so the painting I did on my face consisted of two lines under my eyes (the ones football players usually have). The guide took one look at me, grabbed a bunch of mud, and did a handprint all over my face! Messy! (but fun)
At one point on the river we ditched our tubes, and went head first down a waterslide. After that was our first pee break, and I reaaaaallly had to go. So the guys went further downstream and the girls stayed where we were. We all turned off our lamps to strip in the dark. I had to take the whole wetsuit off. It was so freezing cold. That was all fine, but after I couldn't get my wetsuit back on. Had to get the guide to come back and help me.
We walked down the narrow caves further. They got us to go through this tight rock opening they called the "birth canal." I had to crawl my way through while they made baby crying sounds at me (was pretty funny).
Another snack stop. This time chocolate and hot orange drink, yummy.
We went through (crawled) this caving system (the guides by-passed it and met us at the other end). Had to remember to turn Left-Left-Right-Left at all intersecting tunnels. It's a good thing I don't have a problem in small spaces.
Near the end of our caving trip the guides gave us two options to get out of the cave. The first was to go out the "tranquil" way (a very easy walk). The second way to go was the "DOOM." Of course we all picked Doom (3 big, steep, dangerous, waterfalls in the small cave space). I climbed through the first opening to get to the first waterfall. The guides helped me place my feet in the proper spot so that I would make it up it. If you fall, you're hooped. The guides actually pushed me up a couple waterfalls once I had my feet placed correctly (I swear I was almost doing the splits in some of them). We all made it out of the caves alright. We hiked back to the van, drove back to Waitomo where we all had tomato soup. Soon after, David and I hopped back on the Waitomo Wanderer back to Rotorua.
After getting back to Rotorua we headed to the spa to warm up. They had all these pools right on Lake Rotorua; it was a really nice view. The acid pools were for aches and pains. The alkaline pools were for the skin. That topped off a crazy day...
The bus dropped us off at the Legendary Black Water Rafting Company. David had some nasty breaky deal. It ended up being some burnt white french toast with greasy bacon, grilled banana, whipped cream and chemical syrup. I had a herb chicken and avacado sandwich. Pretty good actually (also had a triple chocolate muffin to ease the nerves :) just joking, I was pumped).
We met our 2 guides and the rest of our group of 8. Went and got suited up. Was quite the process. First you had to put on little sockies, then wetsuit bottoms, shorts, wetsuit jacket, helmet and lastly booties. Looked funny, especially with the shorts. They gave us a little commentary on the wetsuits, telling us we couldn't pee in them (since water couldn't go through them; the socks stopped that). Told us that there would be pee breaks in the caves, yay!
Once suited, we did a little photoshoot before jumping on the happy bus (to take us to the caves).
At the caves we practiced repelling on the side of the hill, to get used to the equipement we'd be using. It was different stuff from that we used in the Blue Mountains (figure 8's). Here we used a device called the "rack." By using our thumb on it we could control the speed that repelled at (they also said it was "voice activated," it was joke; if we fell screaming the guy at the bottom would pull on the rope, thereby stopping us from falling any further)
After the practice runs we got prepped to go down the hole. The cave we were headed into was a bottle neck deal. The top (where we were starting) was very narrow and the bottom big. Some of the bigger guys had to wiggle their way through part of it.
I went second down into the cave (wanted to be sure the apparatus was in good working condition of course :) ). When I started going down, it got really narrow fast. It freaked me out a bit because the space was so small and I was headed into a big area of darkness.
While I was repelling in the dark I yelled out how much further did I have to go. The guide below yelled that I was halfway there. I was actually 5m from the floor, he came behind me and scared me half to death. The whole repell was about 35m.
He unclipped me from the rack and told me to head down the stairs deeper into the cave. Once down in the "waiting" area, with my headlamp off, I could see all the glowworms on the ceiling above. Looked really cool!
After everyone was in the cave, we climbed our way farther down into the cave. We got to look at stalagmites and glowworms close up. The guides educated us on the glowworms. They said that the glowworms are actually maggots. That if we looked closely we could see that they looked like tiny twigs with a glowing butt (enzymes in their poo). The glowworms dangle a web to catch food that they can bring into their mouth. Also that they live as maggots for 9 months before going into a cocoon and emerging as a fly (which looks like mozzies). They reproduce as these flies for 5 days before dying. Quite the life.
We continued walking through the cave until the path turned into a rock cliff. Since I was infront I was asking the guide where we were headed next. He turned around, clipped me into a harness device and said that it was bungee time. Of course he was joking...he had me at first though. He said it was the "flying fox." Whatever that was. So I put my legs together and went flying down on the rope in the dark. Screamed the whole way down and at the end of the line there was a loud boom noise. Was so freaked out. The other guide unclipped me from the line and got me to lay down so that the next person wouldn't smack into me. After we were all down it was snack time! Some sort of oat bar (which was really good) and tea (not a huge fan of, but I was cold).
They handed us out tubes and showed us how to jump into the river below. We floated in the river checking out the glow worms on ceilings. Part-way down the river the guide stopped us to do some mud face painting. Well I'm not the biggest fan of mud, so the painting I did on my face consisted of two lines under my eyes (the ones football players usually have). The guide took one look at me, grabbed a bunch of mud, and did a handprint all over my face! Messy! (but fun)
At one point on the river we ditched our tubes, and went head first down a waterslide. After that was our first pee break, and I reaaaaallly had to go. So the guys went further downstream and the girls stayed where we were. We all turned off our lamps to strip in the dark. I had to take the whole wetsuit off. It was so freezing cold. That was all fine, but after I couldn't get my wetsuit back on. Had to get the guide to come back and help me.
We walked down the narrow caves further. They got us to go through this tight rock opening they called the "birth canal." I had to crawl my way through while they made baby crying sounds at me (was pretty funny).
Another snack stop. This time chocolate and hot orange drink, yummy.
We went through (crawled) this caving system (the guides by-passed it and met us at the other end). Had to remember to turn Left-Left-Right-Left at all intersecting tunnels. It's a good thing I don't have a problem in small spaces.
Near the end of our caving trip the guides gave us two options to get out of the cave. The first was to go out the "tranquil" way (a very easy walk). The second way to go was the "DOOM." Of course we all picked Doom (3 big, steep, dangerous, waterfalls in the small cave space). I climbed through the first opening to get to the first waterfall. The guides helped me place my feet in the proper spot so that I would make it up it. If you fall, you're hooped. The guides actually pushed me up a couple waterfalls once I had my feet placed correctly (I swear I was almost doing the splits in some of them). We all made it out of the caves alright. We hiked back to the van, drove back to Waitomo where we all had tomato soup. Soon after, David and I hopped back on the Waitomo Wanderer back to Rotorua.
After getting back to Rotorua we headed to the spa to warm up. They had all these pools right on Lake Rotorua; it was a really nice view. The acid pools were for aches and pains. The alkaline pools were for the skin. That topped off a crazy day...
Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland/Zorbing/Hangi Concert & Feast (Feb. 5th)
What a big day!
Started off by taking a bus to the Wai-O-Tapu (means sacred water) Thermal Wonderland. Before we even arrived at the park the guide took the whole group to the mud pools. It was this big mud pond that was boiling from the volcanic activity below. The speed the mud bubbled varied. It would bubble really slow and then suddenly boil like crazy. During one of the crazy bits, a bit of the hot mud splattered on my arm (and I was standing a couple metres from it!).
Our next stop, before actually going into the park, was the Lady Knox Geyser (http://www.geyserland.co.nz/ladyknox.htm). Apparently it went off (shot water 20m high) every day at 10:15am. Well it did for us, but the reason being that the tour guide deposited soap into the geyser. If he didn't, it would be a more random event, instead of daily at 10:15. The reason the soap did this (his explanation) was that beneath the geyser there were two layers of water. The top was cold and the bottom was hot, from the volcanic lava below it. These two layers regulary do not mix much, but when they do the water will shoot up from the geyser. By putting soap into the geyser, the surface tension in the cold layer could be broken up, thereby allowing the hot layer through it, resulting in EXPLOSION!
At the Wai-O-Tapu park (http://www.geyserland.co.nz/gallery2.htm), we walked through and saw lots of volcanic stuff like craters and brightly colored steam pools. It was really pretty. At one spot, the champane pool, it was so steamy that I could barely see infront of me. A little freaky considering you're in volcanic surroundings.
Mid-day, I took the bus out to the Agrodome. Zorb time! (http://www.zorb.co.nz/) That was like nothing I've ever done before (even rides at Disney World). They suited me up in this Zorbonaut wear (their shorts and shirt) since I was riding in the wet zorb (it had a bit of warm water in the bottom of it). Since I was riding single, they put me on the Zig Zag course. I had to run and jump through this tiny hole in this big blown up ball. They zipped up the hole and told me to walk the ball to the edge of the hill. At the edge the ball started rolling, with me in it! I flew everywhere. Couldn't tell up from down. One of the coolest rides ever! At the bottom of the hill they stopped the ball, unzipped it, and out I came!
After getting back from the zorb, we quickly made our way to the Tamaki Tours Office, where we would catch a bus (The Waka), with funny guide Ngata, to the Hangi concert and feast (http://www.maoriculture.co.nz/Maori%20Village/Gallery). It felt like we travelled back in time to the days of Maori people (NZ's aboriginal people). Upon arriving at the Maori village we were put through the paces as if we were a visiting tribe. Quite intense! We watched them dance (The Haka!), sing and tell stories (some in their native tongue). Afterwards, we went to the Wharekai (food house) and at the feast (hangi) they prepared for us. They cooked the hangi traditionally under the earth on hot rocks for three to four hours (The rocks are heated to a white hot state with some of the native timber. They are then put into a pit dug into the earth. The baskets of meat are put directly on the hot stones, then the vegetable baskets and then the pudding basket on top. A wet cloth is placed over the food and then the earth is piled over everything to keep the heat in.)
It was a sweet day! Lots of fun!
Started off by taking a bus to the Wai-O-Tapu (means sacred water) Thermal Wonderland. Before we even arrived at the park the guide took the whole group to the mud pools. It was this big mud pond that was boiling from the volcanic activity below. The speed the mud bubbled varied. It would bubble really slow and then suddenly boil like crazy. During one of the crazy bits, a bit of the hot mud splattered on my arm (and I was standing a couple metres from it!).
Our next stop, before actually going into the park, was the Lady Knox Geyser (http://www.geyserland.co.nz/ladyknox.htm). Apparently it went off (shot water 20m high) every day at 10:15am. Well it did for us, but the reason being that the tour guide deposited soap into the geyser. If he didn't, it would be a more random event, instead of daily at 10:15. The reason the soap did this (his explanation) was that beneath the geyser there were two layers of water. The top was cold and the bottom was hot, from the volcanic lava below it. These two layers regulary do not mix much, but when they do the water will shoot up from the geyser. By putting soap into the geyser, the surface tension in the cold layer could be broken up, thereby allowing the hot layer through it, resulting in EXPLOSION!
At the Wai-O-Tapu park (http://www.geyserland.co.nz/gallery2.htm), we walked through and saw lots of volcanic stuff like craters and brightly colored steam pools. It was really pretty. At one spot, the champane pool, it was so steamy that I could barely see infront of me. A little freaky considering you're in volcanic surroundings.
Mid-day, I took the bus out to the Agrodome. Zorb time! (http://www.zorb.co.nz/) That was like nothing I've ever done before (even rides at Disney World). They suited me up in this Zorbonaut wear (their shorts and shirt) since I was riding in the wet zorb (it had a bit of warm water in the bottom of it). Since I was riding single, they put me on the Zig Zag course. I had to run and jump through this tiny hole in this big blown up ball. They zipped up the hole and told me to walk the ball to the edge of the hill. At the edge the ball started rolling, with me in it! I flew everywhere. Couldn't tell up from down. One of the coolest rides ever! At the bottom of the hill they stopped the ball, unzipped it, and out I came!
After getting back from the zorb, we quickly made our way to the Tamaki Tours Office, where we would catch a bus (The Waka), with funny guide Ngata, to the Hangi concert and feast (http://www.maoriculture.co.nz/Maori%20Village/Gallery). It felt like we travelled back in time to the days of Maori people (NZ's aboriginal people). Upon arriving at the Maori village we were put through the paces as if we were a visiting tribe. Quite intense! We watched them dance (The Haka!), sing and tell stories (some in their native tongue). Afterwards, we went to the Wharekai (food house) and at the feast (hangi) they prepared for us. They cooked the hangi traditionally under the earth on hot rocks for three to four hours (The rocks are heated to a white hot state with some of the native timber. They are then put into a pit dug into the earth. The baskets of meat are put directly on the hot stones, then the vegetable baskets and then the pudding basket on top. A wet cloth is placed over the food and then the earth is piled over everything to keep the heat in.)
It was a sweet day! Lots of fun!
Rotorua (Feb. 4)
Hopped on the bus this morning at 8:20 and headed on the 4 hour bus ride to Rotorua (the smelly town). As soon as the bus got close to the town I could smell rotten-eggs (sulphur). From the bus, I saw this huge park with fenced in ponds and trees; steam was rising out of these fenced in bits. It was quite eerie. Reminded me a bit of Disney World, where the rides have effects like that.
The bus dropped us off infront of tourism Rotorua, leaving us to walk to our hostel. The rest of the day I booked tours, went to souvenier shops and ate thai food.
Big adventure day tomorrow!
The bus dropped us off infront of tourism Rotorua, leaving us to walk to our hostel. The rest of the day I booked tours, went to souvenier shops and ate thai food.
Big adventure day tomorrow!
Leave Australia/Arrive in NZ (Feb.3)
I took an early flight out to Auckland this morning. It was pretty cool, I was on an Air New Zealand flight (our plane had looney tunes all over it!).
I arrived in New Zealand and had to be quarantined since I declared honey on my form (bought some when I was up in the Whitsundays). They took it away! They thought that if I opened it and a kiwi bee landed on it, I would kill or contaminate the NZ bees! Oh wells...
Finally, I made it through the x-ray machines and to the airport entrance. Since I didn't have any NZ cash on me, I went to a bank machine to get some, and it wouldn't give me any! Bank of New Zealand I guess doesn't work for Canadians. Thankfully, other ones do :).
The rest of the day I just wandered around downtown.
I arrived in New Zealand and had to be quarantined since I declared honey on my form (bought some when I was up in the Whitsundays). They took it away! They thought that if I opened it and a kiwi bee landed on it, I would kill or contaminate the NZ bees! Oh wells...
Finally, I made it through the x-ray machines and to the airport entrance. Since I didn't have any NZ cash on me, I went to a bank machine to get some, and it wouldn't give me any! Bank of New Zealand I guess doesn't work for Canadians. Thankfully, other ones do :).
The rest of the day I just wandered around downtown.
Last night in Sydney (Feb. 2)
Took a walk down to the Rocks for our last noodle dinner (at the Wok on Inn). Had the Pad Thai again, yummy. On our way there, we saw a cruise ship docked in the harbor, think it was the Statendam. Looked crazy though. The water must be super deep in the harbor for a cruise liner to come all the way in there! Watched it leave the harbor. It backed out like a car does in a parking lot. Came back down to the harbor after dinner and saw another cruise ship docking. It was a pretty neat view. There was a full moon above the Opera House, stars and a big cruise ship infront of us. Left us with a pretty picture of Sydney...
Massive Blog update...
Been doing alot of day tours lately but have been keeping a daily journal, going to put that up here now.
Thursday, February 1, 2007
And some more...
The Sydney Harbour Bridge
At the Olympic Park
The cauldron...
Went to Koala Park and saw this guy...too funny!
'Roos are so friendly around here
Canyoning and Abseiling in the Blue Mountains (Jan 31)
Now this was a crazy day tour...
The morning was all dry abseiling (rapelling) on the High 'n Wild (company) cliffs. We started off on a 5m, then progressed to the 15m and then the 27m! I was so freaked out going over the cliffs. Thought I was going to slip and smack into the cliff face...anyways, those dry ones left my arms shaking, wasn't so sure I liked this kind of thing (it's a whole lot different in a gym on a climbing wall, it's flat; easier to come down).
The afternoon was HEAPS better. Went canyoning...started off with a scenic walk down into the canyon to an area where we could change into our wetsuits and abseil gear (helmets and harnesses). Then we followed our guides through a creek into the narrow canyon (looked really cool, wish we could of brought our cameras). Wasn't too long before we reached the first jump into a rock pool. I was so excited that I jumped first! Was freezing! Got right out and continued on the river, navigating the rock edges, going down rock waterslides and jumping into more rock pools. Lots of fun! Before we knew it we reached the 30m high waterfall that we were to abseil down (into a deep rock pool)...
Since I was so freaked out this morning I figured I better be one of the first to go, so that I didn't think about it too much beforehand. It was great! I actually loved it. Started my way down the overhang, went down a couple meters before hitting the first landing. Had to back up to the edge of the landing and go down the second bit. At first you stay to the right of the waterfall, and then halfway down the waterfall you go right down the middle. It was so slippery. At one point I slipped and started slidding sideways into the waterfall face but I quickly caught myself with my right foot (somehow). Anyway, I managed to get to the point about 6m from the rock pool below before the guide spotting me yelled at me asking if I wanted to push off from there into the rock pool. Of course I did, jumping is fun! So on the count of 3 I push off from the waterfall face, let go of the rope and fell backwards into the rock pool. It was awesome! After crawling out of the pool and looking up at the waterfall, I couldn't believe I just came down that! Sweet!
While the rest of our group slowly abseiled down the waterfall, David and I jumped off a 10m edge into the deep rock pool. We did that until the whole group made it down. Was alot of fun. I must be part fish (my mom thinks), since I loved the afternoon water abseiling and jumping activities (which were alot harder) than the dry morning abseiling. YAY what a day!
The morning was all dry abseiling (rapelling) on the High 'n Wild (company) cliffs. We started off on a 5m, then progressed to the 15m and then the 27m! I was so freaked out going over the cliffs. Thought I was going to slip and smack into the cliff face...anyways, those dry ones left my arms shaking, wasn't so sure I liked this kind of thing (it's a whole lot different in a gym on a climbing wall, it's flat; easier to come down).
The afternoon was HEAPS better. Went canyoning...started off with a scenic walk down into the canyon to an area where we could change into our wetsuits and abseil gear (helmets and harnesses). Then we followed our guides through a creek into the narrow canyon (looked really cool, wish we could of brought our cameras). Wasn't too long before we reached the first jump into a rock pool. I was so excited that I jumped first! Was freezing! Got right out and continued on the river, navigating the rock edges, going down rock waterslides and jumping into more rock pools. Lots of fun! Before we knew it we reached the 30m high waterfall that we were to abseil down (into a deep rock pool)...
Since I was so freaked out this morning I figured I better be one of the first to go, so that I didn't think about it too much beforehand. It was great! I actually loved it. Started my way down the overhang, went down a couple meters before hitting the first landing. Had to back up to the edge of the landing and go down the second bit. At first you stay to the right of the waterfall, and then halfway down the waterfall you go right down the middle. It was so slippery. At one point I slipped and started slidding sideways into the waterfall face but I quickly caught myself with my right foot (somehow). Anyway, I managed to get to the point about 6m from the rock pool below before the guide spotting me yelled at me asking if I wanted to push off from there into the rock pool. Of course I did, jumping is fun! So on the count of 3 I push off from the waterfall face, let go of the rope and fell backwards into the rock pool. It was awesome! After crawling out of the pool and looking up at the waterfall, I couldn't believe I just came down that! Sweet!
While the rest of our group slowly abseiled down the waterfall, David and I jumped off a 10m edge into the deep rock pool. We did that until the whole group made it down. Was alot of fun. I must be part fish (my mom thinks), since I loved the afternoon water abseiling and jumping activities (which were alot harder) than the dry morning abseiling. YAY what a day!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)