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simply beautiful!! with just 10 days here our objective was to see as much as possible and think we managed to do just that. having picked up our 'ezy' campervan our first destination was north up to the bay of islands. everywhere was just so open and beautiful. our aim here was to swim with the dolphins in the wild among the many islands. our first 4 hour day cruise whilst very scenic failed to bring us any dolphins - just a penguin! as the company we had booked with guaranteed the sighting of dolphins on we hopped for a second trip the following morning...success! we had managed to track down a couple of pods of dolphins and watched them playing. unfortunately we were unable to swim with them as they were travelling with babies.
anyway, leaving here we travelled south to fulfil hayleys next dream...playing with tiger and lion cubs! this was just amazing, a private sanctuary ran by the legendary 'lion man' who will no doubt become known back home soon. the grounds allowed you to get inches away from the big cats - all 33 of them. our private tour made it feel really special as you only ever get to see them from a distance whenever in a zoo. then hayley entered the cubs pen where she got to bottled feed and play with three lion and one tiger cub..her face a picture! guess the photos say it all but she really did love every minute.
our next destination - black water rafting in the waitomo caves. this was pretty cool, basically you get kitted out in some awful gear, pick up a rubber tube and off you jump into underground rapids. the cave system is pretty impressive, known for its glowworms, these decorate the ceilngs of the caves and glow brightly as you swim past them in the pitch black. but trust us, the soup and bagel at finish was much needed to rescue us from freezing to death. we didn't hang around here for long and travelled onto spend a few nights around lake taupo.
here we 'watched' some crazy people enjoying the extreme activities available like bunjy jumping into a lake and zorbing - whilst we chose to partake in the more relaxed scene...horse riding! tom's first experience of saddle soreness, just a little tender the following morning! all good fun though. we spent a few afternoons taking in the views across the scenic lake taupo with the snow capped mountains in the distance.
so then onto sulphur city also known as rotorua *WARNING* this place stinks - worst than a well brewed fart after a heavy night out finished with kebab (sorry but just want you to appreciate). bearing the smell we spent the day wondering around the spectacukar volcanic grounds of wai-o-tapu, a natural thermal wonderland. we followed this up with an afternoon spent at a polynesian spa, chillin in thermal pools each with set temperatures between 38 - 42 degrees - hard life we know.
so having made the most of the north island, we believe we will save the south island to return one day. we finished our nz adventure with a stop in auckland and popped out to 'minus 5' bar where we enjoyed cocktails in a bar with everything made of ice - the walls, bar, seats and even the glasses. this was cool, got to dress up in big winter jackets and attempt to climatise back to the english winter.
anyway, sure we have given you enough to read so gonna shut up now. we're headin off to fiji now to top up our tans before we return home. will be in touch as soon as possible.
looking forward to seeing you all again soon. love to you all xxxxxxxxxxxxx
ps. after your relentless grief the beard has gone! note the tribute to both borat feasneck and the legendary jof (i miss you) xxx
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