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New Zealand! What a place. It feels odd. It's not Australia. It's not home. But it does feel just like England... It rains. There's lots of cows. And everyone shops in Pack 'n Save - NZ's equivalent of Asda. However, it is much more scenic, and has one or two bts of exciting geological stuff thrown in.
So, to put rumours to rest, it's the cows you have to look out for in NZ! There are around 50 million cows, and now 40 million sheep. 30 years ago there used to be 70 million sheep. Sheep sheep sheep. But now it's all cow cow cow. I have steak for dinner.
There are a number of backpackers here too... around 3.5 million in the country at the moment, with the whole population of NZ being 4.2million it at nearly doubles in peak season!
Enough of the numbers. Have just started the 'Magic Bus' cheapo tour around the country - another hop on hop off bus. Everybody does seem to have their own agenda and places to be at certain times, whereas Oz it was more like you were either going north, or south. So you make friends for a day and then they are gone! All good though, backpackers are friendly and also leave unwanted food. ¾ of a cream cake was left in my fridge bag today from a guy that was in my room yesterday, saying on it that 'I won't travel well'. Mmmm. Now the the menu for tonight is Steak, then cake. I'll nip down the shop and get a potato to round things off.
Stop one was Auckland, generic big city feeling. The city of sails I think is it's nickname, with a great harbour to look around. Most of the population live in the state/county of Auckland, so it is very busy. Not what NZ really is. So off I went to stop two, Rotarua.
You smell this place before you get to it. It is a Geothermal Wonderland, apparently. Spectacular hot springs and boiling mud pools. The bubbles slightly putting you off going swimming in them... as they are probably bubbling for a reason! 'Heat, seethes from cracks in the streets, steams from backyard hot pools, bursts from geysers throughout the area, and bubbles from cauldron-like mud pools.' All very exciting! End of Geology lesson number one. Mick and Emily arrived in their campervan so I stayed with them for two days, one night. Mainly playing cards, as it was raining. Boo. We went to a very 'interesting' festival on the first evening, Lakeside. Watched some good acts, some very bad acts, and some great fireworks! The second night we made it out, to the pub, to watch the tennis in the evening. Poor old Murray. I told him to win. He just doesn't lesson. It was good to catch up with them again, and they made use of my hostel and showers after not showing for a week or so. Smelly backpackers.
Now in Taupo, I walked the incredible Tongariro crossing, 19.7ks of volcanic scenery and amazingness. Yes that is a word. It was a tough trek but well worth it. G2, you would be in your element! One of the top 5 one-day walks to do in the world. Apparently. So today I decided to not walk anywhere, but just stick to Kayaking. We went out onto Lake Taupo for five hours, apparently it's bigger than Singapore. We only Kayak'ed?? for 8ks though. Only one guide, two South African/Australians and me. Fantastic day, and even got lunch thrown in.
Tomorrow, Wellington calls. Had an interesting time booking accommodation there as there is a big rugby tournament on. It was the choice of a 4-bed dorm or a 32-bed dorm. I chose the 32 bed dorm, bargain prices? Neigh. $1,014. I was told that I had to book out all 32 beds. I don't think that I'll make that many friends before tomorrow, so I settled for the 4-bed.
Enough of the essay. More about you please! Keep the e-mails, messages and texts coming. 3 weeks left in NZ. It's all going too quickly!
Loads of love to home, see you all soooon!
Nick xxx
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