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Since arriving in Aukland a week ago we have been travelling around the north island on Kiwi Experience. It has been absolutely amazing. Our first stop was Mercury Bay, where we went on a beautiful coastal walk. The view of the bay of plenty was lovely, and Cathedral Cove also. We spent just one night here, before boarding the bus again.
The next day took us to Rotorua. On the way we stopped for another walk, this time up a river and through some caves which were pitch black. This was really cool again. We also stopped at a place called Hobbiton, which was the hobbit village in the Lord of the Rings films. When we arrived in Rotorua the smell was evident! haha. The geothermal activity creates a pretty horrible sulphurous smell.... The geysers and hot pools are amazing though. The ground gets really hot around them. We got straight into some activities and went zorbing and luging. Both of these were so much fun! Zorbing involves rolling down a hill in a big hamster ball filled with water. We were in the ball together and get thrown around a fair bit. A minute well spent though! Luging was also a good laugh, and we both managed to stay on unlike a few people in our group.
In the evening we we went to a Maori cultural night which was really insightful. We were greeted traditionally with a dancing warrior or two which was scary. The food was cooked traditionally in an underground oven, and the dancing and entertainment was wicked. The next morning we were taught the Haka, much to the amusement of the girls in the group as all the boys performed it for them! (Video is on Facebook for those who can access that.... That includes you D.A.D).
We set of to Waitomo after that, to go black water rafting. We were not really sure what to expect from this, but arrived with our swimmers ready to go! Having been fully kitted up in a wetsuit, boots, abseiling gear and a helmet we were ready to go. This turned out to be an amazing 5 hour experience, and probably the highlight of our activities so far. We had to abseil down a small hole for 30 metres which took us into the caves. We then walked through the caves, sometimes in complete darkness, lit only by the glow worms on the ceiling of the caves. Flying through complete darknes on a zipline, jumping into the river which was 6 degrees, and then rafting our way upstream followed before the highlight of the day; climbing up an underground waterfall to get out which was so much fun. The adventure activities have really started.
We are now in Taupo, and the weather is holding us up a little. We are wating to be able to do our skydive. We were booked to do it today, but the rain and cloud means we can't do it. Forecast is not good for the next few days either so we'll have to see whether we do it somewhere else or stay here longer. Looking forward to it though!
Love to all, Ben and Sam. x
(Lots of pictures below!)
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2198902&l=0841b&id=61103984
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2199456&l=03cf5&id=61103984
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2199751&l=8b517&id=61103984
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2199593&l=52b8c&id=61103984
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