Okay so this is an impossible task, but I will try my best to summarize my trip so far. Started on the 8th when I arrived in NZ. I landed in Auckland and didn't get a chance to do much sight seeing but from the sounds of it I didn't miss much. Then we headed out to Mercury Bay the next day. On the way we stopped at a dormant volcano for pictures and also at Cathedral cove which is a beautiful beach with a naturally created archway. From Mercury Bay we drove to Rotorua and on this trip we did a hike through an old gold mine and and some tunnels with glow worms (worms whose poo glows to attract other insects into a sticky weblike string they lower - so they can eat... however, after leaving the larvae stage they do not develop mouths so their lives are short lived and their only job is to procreate for the next couple of days). From here we ended up in Rotorua and I took in an amazing traditional Maori cultural show... so amazing I am really glad that my trip has been equally educational for me. The next day I toured around Rotorua (which stinks of rotten eggs and burnt rubber) a location for lots of geothermal activity. I saw bubbling puddles of mud and steaming bodies of water (more exciting than it sounds) as well as a building that was erected for a coronation ceremony for Queen Victoria. After Rotorua I went to Waitomo. On the way there we took in a NZ farm show... saw/touched all 19 breeds of commercial sheeps here in NZ... watched a cow get milked and saw sheep dogs in action. Afterwards I went Blackwater rafting which is essentially hopping in a thermal wet suit and an innertube and floating along underground river systems and jumping off waterfalls (definitely recommend giving it a go). I also did an amazing walk here and saw some really cool caves and historical sites. Now I am in Taupo and have a couple of days to relax and check out the sites... likely going to check out the thermal pools today. Otherwise I am healthy and happy and will see you all before you know it... so stop counting down the painful days that you are away from me... haha.
Take care,
Ryan
2 comments:
WOW that sounds very exciting!! So much to see so little time to see it all.
It sounds like you are having an awesome time. We went to a Maori cultural village when we were in Rotorua, it was awesome! I have the opening ceremony recorded, might have to show Laurie some footage so she can see what you experienced. Have lots of fun, and remember to smell the flowers!
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