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Weds 14th November 2007- lazy day
We got up hoping to do thhe skydive but it was too windy. Did some shopping and spent the day watch ing Ophrah. First really, really boring day of my trip.
Thursday 15th November 2007- Skydive
Got up a little more hopeful as the weather looked good. This was it, we went off to skydive Nz to do our dive. 3rd time lucky! I had calmed myself down and by this point had dreamed about the event so much I practically flet like I had done it. However once up in the plane neves did set in. I was first out of the plane thank God. The freefalling bit was the scariest its when your mind suddenly starts to panic and think what if. However before that happens the shute opens and your gliding thorough the air. Unfortunately my ears were hurting a lot, however for next time I will know to equalise in the plane. It was so much fun but I was relieved when my feet touched the ground. After watching the DVD I realised that it was something I would do definately do again. Probably the most exciting and scariest thing I have done on my travels.
We treated ourselves to a pizza from Hell (best pizza shop in Nz) and then spent the afternoon putting photos on facebook.
Friday 16th November- Left Taupoi- Tongariro National Park.
We left Tiki Lodge in Taupo felt like we had been in Taupo for a week. Prepared ourself for the Tongariro crossing but unfortunately it had been cancelled that morning. Travelled to the Tongariro park in the pouring rain. Arrived at the hostel "The Park" which was more like a hotel. Log fires, restaurant, bar, big television, spa and ensuite room. Only complaint the rooms were quite cosy. We were given an hour to settle in and some people decided to keep warm but the rest of the group went on a walk. The Taranaki falls walk which was only a 2 hour walk through the beautiful country which looked like Maudor. We saw more beautiful waterfalls and talked as we walked which is something that was not possible the following day!
On the way back to the hostel we called at the falls where one of the Gollom scenes was filmed. Had an early night in preperation for the Tongariro crossing.
Saturday 17th November 2007- Tongariro crossing
We set off, I decided to hold at the back with my I-pod Oasis and the Arctic Monkeys keeping me company. First hour was lovely you look up at Mt Doom thinking how privelidged you are to be having this experience. After this you have to clamber up a mountain. It amazes me more people don't die from falling. You think you're at the top, because you get to a flat part but no another climb appears. This was probably the hardest part of the crossing (more like hike) but if you stop looking at your watch it probably helps. For the next 4.5 hours you walk past lakes, mountains, down verges, through forests, you hit cloud, you walk on snow, you experience warm sunshine, winds (but we had no rain.) The last hour is probably the worst (apart form the hike)as you think you are nearly there but more path appears and the views start to be blocked by forest. I really don't know how Frodo and Sam did it and with no shoes on!
It was probably one of the hardest things I have ever done bar my interview for my current job. However it was amazing and well worth doing. Probably wouldn't do it again though. Got back to the hostel knackered and ready for bed!
Sunday 18th November 2007- Tongariro National Park- Wellington
We left the park for Wellington arrived after a 5 hour journey which involved sleeping, sleeping. Arrived in Wellington where the sun was shining brightly. Went off to the Te Papa museum which was really interesting. I spent hours in the place and still didn't get around it. Met Jen and Paul for a drink by the harbour which was really pleasant. Wellington has a really good feel to it! Houses built on the hills which look over the sea and harbour. Spent the night in the bar with people off the Stray tried to get drunk but it just wasn't happening. So I went to bed early!
Monday 19th November 2007- Wellington.
Had a well deserved lie in and went for breakfast with Rob and Bart from the room. Paul suggested we went for a Full English Brunch brill idea. I had the full monty breakfast with Rob and Bart and for some unknown reason Paul and Jen changed their minds and had a chicken sandwich and a blueberry muffin. Leaving me to look like the huge heffer in the corner eating a man size portion. Rob and Bart went a different way and us three went on the cable car up to the Botannical Gardens. It was another beautiful day so we went walking and then played on the swings. We only noticed the sign afterwards saying this equipment is for children 14 years and below. What a stupid rule! I'm not sure where the day went but it somehow got late and we went to bed.
Wednesday 21st November 2007- Wellington Lord of the Rings trip.
Got up at a reasonable hour and I decided I wanted to go down to the beach for a sunbathe I was getting withdrawal from the lack of sunbathing. Jen and I sunbathed for 23 hours and then returned back for the Lord of the Rings trip. I wasn't sure what I was expecting but it was actually quite fun. Jen is a massive LOTR fan so was able to recognise all the scenes from the film. The guy running the tour takes you around with his laptop playing the different scenes and explaining how each scene was made. We got to do some silly photos pretending to be Hobbits and had a good walk into the bargain. We also visited the Weta film studios (but you are not allowed in) and saw the King Kong ship.
Got back to the hostel and bumped into Ben the guy who I had shared a room with in Auckland who said he had changed buses and was on the Stray bus for a bit and not the Magic. I was glad I had chosen Stray. Got Dominos pizza as they cost $7 each for those people staying at BASE again early night hardcore.
Weds 21st November 2007- South Island adventure
Left Wellington at 7:00 what is with these early get ups? Arrived at the ferry terminal to get the 8:30 ferry to Picton. The ferry journey went quick watched Home and Away. The sun was still shining when we arrived on the South Island met our new driver Sponge. We met some of the bus but everyone seemed knackered from the early get up. The bus drove through Marlborough vineyard where we stop at a wine yard for wine tasting. This woke us up slightly but the bus is boiling so everyone becomes sleepy agian. We pass thorugh Nelson and Motueka and eventually arrive in Marahau.
Our new accomodation is on a farm so our neighbours are lamas which we get told are called shamels (cross between sheep and a camel) and because we are so tired it takes a few seconds. Old McDonalds farm is so pretty, fairly basic accomodation but when you wake up to a river running next to your room and chicks in the kitchen it was an awesome place to stay. I decide I want to go Kyaking but on a guided tour so go off to book that. We have a group BBQ and accompany this with wine. A good night, as everone sits around the camp fire getting to know one another. There is Clare and Regina (Irish girls) Tamera and Evelyn (New Yorkers) Brad, Rich, Paul (London boys) Sara (from Taupo) and Emily (Swedish girl). We also bump into Bart, Rob and Matt from Wellington.
Thursday 22nd November 200- Kyaking in Abel Tasman
An early get up and a curse to oneself for drinking wine. Go off to meet the kyaking guys and find out that me and Clare are the only ones on the full day kyaking with 2 guides. We went kyaking around the Abel Tasman National Park (named after the man who first saw Nz but never stepped on her land). I had an awesome day our instructor Dave and Stu were so laid back. We saw seals on the rocks and shadows of stingrays. No penguins or dolphins but it was still a great day sunbathing, eating and a bit of a kyaking. Clare is a dentist from Cork who had left her boyfriend at home to (but only for 2 months, she has a heart). We got on really well and laughed and joked with the instructors. By the time it was time to come in my arms were seriously hurting and I was ready for a massage. Got back to meet the new Stray bus and bump into Gemma and Anna from Hahei and Ben and James again. Jen very kindly worked some of her Osteopathic magic on me. I was again able to lift a wine glass as we went to the one and only cafe/bar in Marahau for the Open Mic night. We had a good night with most of the Stray bus coming down for at least one.
Friday 23rd November- Beach and camp fire
Have a well deserved lie in after my kyaking efforts the day before. Walk down to Coclia bay. Spend the day on the beach trying to get rid of my bikini top lines. Somehow sunburn my lips but apart from that have a lovely day. After this have a salad and sit around the camp fire again getting to know the new group. I was sad to leave Abel Tasman it had been a brill few days.
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