18.07.2007 - New Zealand North and South Islands - Thermals at the ready!!!!

Hiya Guys
Sorry been while since Ive posted what Ive been up to but hard to get to internet when on tour and hostels so busy and sometimes expensive for time. Anyway what have I been up too?????????

Arrived on 8th July and Kara and Emily - Kiwi's from America tour met me from the airport bless them, had lovely day catching up with them and meeting family and Karas's two little dogs, lovely walk along the beach, tried not to sleep cos lost full night and day so wanted to make sure slept night at hotel before the trip.

Set off on the 9th July on our trip, met group there is 10 of us including Lockey tour guide. There is Alison, english girl travelling the world too, Julia, Katherine, Caroline, Terry, Fiona all english, Stephanie and Alex (only guy)american and we have two french joining us in Christchurch later on the trip. All really nice and we getting on well. We had two days in the Bay Islands and cos its winter here knew weather would be bad but didnt expect what we got, there was storms and a state of emergency was called while we were there, unbelievable floods everywhere and bit hairy in the hostel with the trees and wind blowing a gale, but we survived and headed out on the only road open to Waitomo. Here we visited the caves and saw the glow worms who live there, was like lots of small green xmas lights everywhere. We then went on night walk which was so funny, Julia and Steph were really scared in the bush walk, so funny, saw more glow worms and caves with unusual features. The night sky was amazing to see all the stars and we even managed to see a shooting star!!!

Next day we drove to Rotorua and visited the Maori Arts Museum with thermal area and geysers, reminded me of Yellowstone National Park but still nice to see but smell just as bad, smelly socks defo!!!!!! On the afternoon, me, Fiona, Katherine and Lockey went white water rafting. This was really brilliant we went over the largest water fall, 7ft high and other smaller ones, the river is classed as a 5 which is the highest for rafting allowed!!! There were 14 rapids too, this was amazing and the pictures coming down the waterfall and parts of the river are just fab cant wait to show you them!!! Night time we went to a traditional Hangi concert and dinner which showed us the New Zealand culture and song and dance, great night and great food. (Chocolate log was gorgeous!!)

Next day we set off for Lake Taupo and on the way Lockey took us to a thermal pool where we all went in swimming, was lovely and hot and relaxing only thing missing was the bottle of beer or wine to go with it ha ha!!! Then we hit 'Rocking Ropes' dont ask me how but I got talked into doing a 45ft high platform swing. Most of you know I hate heights and I was harnessed up and shaking at the bottom, climbed up the pole and so far to the top I honestly could have cried, infact when got to platform and it was swaying I did cry and was hyperventilating (dont you lot laugh!!!. Caroline came up too and held my hand - thanks to her!!!! Well it was jump time and I just shut my eyes and when the guy shouted 1,2,3 jump went for it, I couldnt believe how much I felt I was stuck in mid air and then a big jolt and the swing swang across the area. All the group cheered at me and shouted at me to open my eyes - I did give them a few choice words but then opened eyes and felt great for doing it, but not sure if ready to do bunjee ha ha!!!!!!!!!! Visited Huka Falls later on that afternoon and walked by the river to town, needed to buy new boots cos mine leaking like mad, well not mine really borrowed off Farrah (drama group member) 6 years ago and never got them back to her!!!!!!!! Cold too so bought thick pair of trousers and thermal socks. Drove up to Mt Ruapehu, hostel was cold like we ended up in our sleeping bags and blankets too!!!!

Big Hike today between the mountains, was really cold and frosty but walking we got warmer and warmer, so stripped off the layers. Hard work but fabulous scenery, saw the volcano where they filmed Lord of the rings!!! Can see why they filmed them all here too the scenery is so changing and great to adapt for the films.
Next day set off for Wellington, long drive got to the hostel, which was more like a hotel and had a chill afternoon, so laundry sorted and visited local museum. Really interactive fun place could have spent more time but had to be back to cook. Went for couple of drinks in Irish bar, really liked this place pity didnt have more time to explore but sure will be back cos Terry lives here now and said would come back to visit, you know me more free beds!!! ha ha

Up early for the ferry across to the south island, beautiful crossing, usually can be rough but we had fab one. Watch Shrek 3 too in the cinema with Terry passed couple of hours, on getting to South island the scenery changed again was beautiful and can see why they say the South is the prettier island. Drove to Nelson, this is Lockys home town and got to hostel, had free afternoon so thought would hit the internet cafe and do the blog and pictures!!! What a big mistake, the guy there said I could use my xd card in the sd reader, AHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It scrambled it and now I cant get any of my pics off, so really sos, no pics of the above till I can hopefully get an expert place to try and unscramble if they can. Cried like a baby was so sad on Monday night but hey ho chin up and emailed the gang from america trip and some going to send me cd with theirs so at least will have some. It learnt me though no way will I put my xd card again, will use camera everytime. So plea out to Trish, Yvonne, Lindsay and Sharon and Peggy to send me any pics from Canada, Winston Salem, Jacksonville Florida and Memphis and Hawaii!!!!!!!!! Poor Lockey when he checked on his computer and we then check my CD which thought had backed up but was blank I just cried and bless the rest of the group were so brill and supported me. BIG THANKS TO FIONA AND ALISON XXXXXXXXXXX Rang my Mam bless and her and Dennis trying to get intouch with fuji to see what we can do. BIG THANKS TOO XXXXXXXX
So onwards and upwards cos had trip booked next day to do Kayaking in the sea and costal walk in national park with a water taxi out and back. This was lovely day and really hard work on the sea cos wind was up but me and Fiona managed to get to where we needed to be and it wasnt too cold. ha ha!!!! Night out for the gang too, headed for Sharkys bar with great deal 4 beers and shooter for $13 cant be robbed. How funny it was that the oldies (Me, Alison, Lockey and Fiona) were the only ones left towards the end of the night. A couple of vodkas and coke later and we set off home and we had the giggles so much when we came out, Alison ended up in the construction site posing in the trucks for pictures, I nearly wet myself laughing, it was so funny!!!! When we got back to the hostel, Steph said we were like teenagers laughing in the room!!! EEEE what am I like, showing bad example to the young ones!!

Had bit of lie in today lovely didnt get up till 9.15am, shoulders sore from kayak but no bad head thank goodness. Decided to head out for breakfast cos not setting off till 12.30noon so had, eggs, bacon, tomatoes and mushrooms and toast and fresh orange, which was the best Ive ever had!!!!! Set off for Kaikoura four hours to drive, passed the seal colony on the way, they looked so cute but great to see in own natural habitat. Short walk to another waterfall, which was cool to see. Arrived at hostel and our room has the most fab view of the sea, mountains and snow on the tops. So promise pics taken and will try and get them on the blog soon.

Lovley to get your comments on hawaii pics check out what I said back by clicking on that page. Off to explore Kaikoura tomorrow so will check in with you guys later in the week.
Love and hugs to everyone. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx