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Sophie And Tami Were Here
Thursday 17th May
Journal entry brought to you by Tami (just glad to be alive)
Today was a fantastic, albeit slightly traumatising day. We left Mahinapua early in the morning and drove to the Pukekura Bushman centre for breakfast. There was a small museum there, so Sophie, Ricky and I decided to check it out. It was all going fine, until I decided to look for the ginormous wild boar that lived there. There was a large platform outside, and a sign that said 'Only 5 people allowed on platform at once', so I presumed that it was some kind of viewing platform over the pig pen. I looked for a way out, and there was a small door leading outside, so I crawled through and went up onto the platform. I did think it was slightly odd that I'd had to virtually go THROUGH the pig pen to get to this platform, but I assumed it was cordoned off somehow.
However.
About a minute later I decided to go back inside, I'd seen the pig (he was HUGE, more like a house with a snout), but when I tried to get back through the door I'd come out through, the pig was there. Looking at me. And snuffling as if he was hungry. I was terrified. And then it dawned on me that I was on completely the WRONG platform, and I'd actually just climbed into the pig pen with a wild boar the size of Ayres Rock, and the only way out was blocked by the giant mammal himself. I guess the fact that I had to get onto my hands and knees to get through the door should have been a giveaway but I think I just thought they were trying to make the viewing more exciting...or something....Sophie and Ricky meanwhile had discovered my disappearance, and proceeded to laugh their heads off when they saw where I'd got to through the window. Ricky tried in vain to rescue me by calling to the pig from the other end of the actual viewing platform, while Sophie carried on laughing. I then became really scared though, and Ricky continued to distract the beast and Sophie opened the 'Do not open' door so I could get out. I tell you something, I don't know how I get into these situations, it's like the 'Kid-on-Lap' scenario of Wet n' Wild theme park - why do they always happen to me?
Anyway, Ricky and Soph delighted in telling everyone off the bus that I'd got cornered by the killer-pig and stuck outside because I climbed through his door, and I ate my sorrows in some pancakes. Not a great start to the day, although I did feel slightly better when Sophie saw a switch on the wall that said 'Press Here' and she got squited by water right on the forehead when she pushed it. That was funny.
We then had one long drive onto Franz Josef where we would be staying for the next few days, stopping only to book onto the full day glacier hike for the next day.
When we'd checked into our hostel, Sophie and I decided to go paintballing with Brian, Mike, Jamie and a couple of other people from our bus, plus Patrick from our first bus (who was really annoying).
We got kitted out in overalls and handed masks and guns, taught the rules for flag shooting, and then went off in two teams on the attack. I was on a team with Mike, Jamie and someone whose name escapes me (talking of which, the lady who I met in Paihia whose name escaped me was not in fact called Mavis, but Jo - she emailed me the other day). Anyhoo, paintballing is soooo much fun! And you know what? I am good with a gun! My aim was spot on! I shot loads of people loads of times, including Patrick twice, which was rather satisfying as he screamed like a girl and I just thought it served him right for discussing women as if they are inanimate objects to be treated like slaves. Ha. I got shot once in the first round, rather annoyingly by Mike, who was SUPPOSED to be on my team! He got me on the right arm and it really hurt.
Then we switched sides of the court for our second round, and I didn't get shot at all, although I shot three people. Then for the last round it was free for all, and I got shot twice, once on my other arm, and once on my bum, which was not cool as it made sitting down rather uncomfortable. Both came from Mike again, but it's okay because I got him back, right in the chest. So although I may have lost both arms and my left butt cheek, Mike would have actually died had the guns been actual guns, therefore I am good at the game (in my mind, anyway). Mike and I have arranged to go clay pigeon shooting in Scotland when we're both back in the UK, which I am really excited about. Holding a gun is a very empowering feeling, although kind of scary and not something I want to do on a reglar basis. But seeing as I can do it quite well, I think it might be a skill to develop. Would quite like to go to a range and do some target practice.
Although I would like to add that I do think guns are horrible and should be banned. Wow, contradiction there.
Anyway after the paintballing we headed to the bar briefly for a skydiving update (going the day after tomorrow! Yes I am doing another one), and then some people went out but I went to bed because I was exhausted from many nights of not sleeping much or well. Before I went to bed I ate the world's best chocolate muffin. It was amazing.
Good day, very fun. Love paintballing!!
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