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Hi guys, we've now been in New Zealand for 10 days and we're loving it!  The country is beautiful and we've been so busy as there is so much to see and do.
We arrived in Auckland on 8 May. Auckland is a big city and we did all the usual city things here, museum, aquarium, walked to the harbour and around the city. We also went up the Sky Tower which allows you to have 360 degree panoramic views of the city. What they don't warn you about is that you go up to the viewing platform in a lift which has a glass floor and glass doors so you can look out as you zoom up to the top - which is fine unless your'e scared of heights like me! We went up at sunset and saw the sunset and the city at night which was great. Ben even walked over the glass floor where you look down onto the city (I was too scared!). We also did a trip to Wahekie Island which is a beautiful Island off Auckland. We saw vineyards, beaches and some nice property including the richest man in New Zealand's house.
Next we travelled to the town of Rotorua. This town is in a geothermal area where there are volcanos, steam coming from the ground and the smell of sulphur (rotten eggs!). The town is also rich in Maori culture. Despite the smell we had such a good time here. First we visited Te Puia which is the Maori cultural centre. Here we saw Maori perform traditional dance and songs as well as the Haka which is quite intimidating up close! We also saw some Kiwi birds here which were really cute! Next we visited a village where people live in a geothermal area. The gardens have steam coming out of the ground and they use the hot pools to bathe in and to cook in. We walked around a lake here which was amazing as we got to hear the Maori songs in the background as we walked.Â
The next day in Rotorua we went to Hells Gate which is another geothermal area, this time with lots of bubbling mud pools and a hot pool where the water reaches 135 degrees. After a guided walk we went to the spa here to have a mud bath in the warm mud we had seen around the park. After the mud bath we got into a mineral pool which was lovely and warm. Our skin felt lovely and smooth afterwards. After this we did a Maori carving. I managed to finish mine after the Maori carving master pointed out that I was using the wrong side of the chisel! I carved a medicine plant design and Ben carved the Silver Fern which is New Zealand's national emblem. In the afternoon we visited the museum which used to be the bath house which used to treat wounded soldiers in world war 1 and 2. In the evening we went to Tamaki village. Our driver was called Ngata (pronounced Nutter) and he really was a nutter! He got us singing on the way back and everything! We watched a short film about the Maori history and how they first came to New Zealand. Once at the Village, we watched a Maori welcome and then walked around the village where the people explained how their people lived before European settlers came.  Next we watched a Maori performance of song and dance and another Haka. The men showed and explained how their ancestors would have used various traditional weapons. Finally we had a traditional Hangi meal which is cooked in the ground under hot stones.
On our last day we visited another geothermal area called Wai-O-Tapu. Here we saw the Lady Knox Geyser erupt and then took an hour and a half walk around the park. Here we saw lovely scenery and more mud pools and hot pools and lakes.
For the last 2 days we have been in Taupo. The main attraction here is the lake which is the size of Singapore Island. On our first day we did a jet boat ride to the Huka Falls. This was scary but so much fun! The boat travels at 80 km an hour and swerves around cliffs and trees in the river which it looks like you are going to crash into! You also do loads of 360 spins where the boat actually turns on its side so you have to hold on pretty tight. Was really good fun and a real adrenaline rush. We've also done a more peaceful cruise of the lake which took us to see Maori rock carvings and some beautiful scenery.
Tomorrow we move onto Napier. We'll update again as soon as we can.
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