Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Link to photos of New Zealand, North Island
http://leedsac.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2240980&l=babc4&id=197810485
Wellington, Nz
After a long journey (due to our bus breaking down), we finally made it to Wellington, which was our final stop in the North Island. We were only there for one night, so although we did not get to see the city by day we managed to go out and sample a few of the bars at night! In the morning we got on board the ferry and made our way to the South Island.
River Valley, Nz
We stayed at River Valley lodge, where there was nothing around you except from trees, rocks, the river and the lodge, it was gorgeous! This was where we did our white water rafting. In the morning they took us up stream and we finished our journey right outside the lodge. The rapids went up to Grade 5, which is the most dangerous you can do!!
On one of the less violent rapids we were allowed to jump out to practice keeping our feet and head above the water in case we were to fall out when we got to the bigger rapids. It was quite diffcult to do and even more difficult to get back into the raft! Our instructor was hillarious, he was from taupo so didnt know the river that well, so it became quite funny when he would ask us what to do next. We also were the only ones with a new raft, which means it becomes more likely to stick to rocks in low levelled areas. Therefore in order for us to fit though some of the rocks and not get stuck we had to keep jumping left or right to tip the boat onto its side! At one point we were stuck for about 5 minutes and in the end our instructor had to climb onto a rock and try to move the boat while we were all still in it, jumping up and down like maniacs.
At one point we got out to have a look in one of the caves, but as we did our raft started to float away, luckily our instructor jumped to the rescue and managed to grab on to it, Jenny and Greg managed to get in just in time too, leaving Kim behind who then had no choice but to jump in the water and to swim to it!!!
On one of the grade 5 rapids there was a small waterfall where you had to make sure you positioned the boat correctly in order to avoid any injuries. Luckily we did, but two other teams didnt manage too. One went sideways and the instructor ended up smashing into a rock on the way down and slicing his arm open, another didnt distribute the weight properly and ended up toppling over, making the people at the back fly forwards off the raft.
The guides told us that when it comes to White Water Rafting, ignorance is bliss, thats why we did not get that scared as we did not know what was around the corner or what could happen if it went wrong. This is one sport where the guides are actually more scared then you!
On one of the less violent rapids we were allowed to jump out to practice keeping our feet and head above the water in case we were to fall out when we got to the bigger rapids. It was quite diffcult to do and even more difficult to get back into the raft! Our instructor was hillarious, he was from taupo so didnt know the river that well, so it became quite funny when he would ask us what to do next. We also were the only ones with a new raft, which means it becomes more likely to stick to rocks in low levelled areas. Therefore in order for us to fit though some of the rocks and not get stuck we had to keep jumping left or right to tip the boat onto its side! At one point we were stuck for about 5 minutes and in the end our instructor had to climb onto a rock and try to move the boat while we were all still in it, jumping up and down like maniacs.
At one point we got out to have a look in one of the caves, but as we did our raft started to float away, luckily our instructor jumped to the rescue and managed to grab on to it, Jenny and Greg managed to get in just in time too, leaving Kim behind who then had no choice but to jump in the water and to swim to it!!!
On one of the grade 5 rapids there was a small waterfall where you had to make sure you positioned the boat correctly in order to avoid any injuries. Luckily we did, but two other teams didnt manage too. One went sideways and the instructor ended up smashing into a rock on the way down and slicing his arm open, another didnt distribute the weight properly and ended up toppling over, making the people at the back fly forwards off the raft.
The guides told us that when it comes to White Water Rafting, ignorance is bliss, thats why we did not get that scared as we did not know what was around the corner or what could happen if it went wrong. This is one sport where the guides are actually more scared then you!
Taupo, Nz
Taupo was a lovely little town, which became the destination for our skydives! We were all very surprised at how we were a lot more excited than scared about jumping 15000ft out of a plane. The flight up tested our heart rates the most, especially when we had to put on oxygen masks once we were above 12000ft. But before we knew it we each took our turns to sit on the edge of the plane with our legs dangling then out we went into a 60s freefall... absolutely incredible. We decided to go for the highest jump as at this point you actually get to see the convex of the earth. During the freefall you got to hold hands with the camera man who came down at the same time with you and spin around with him. Once the parachute opened and you started to breathe again you could start to focus on things and notice all the beautiful scenery around you. The mountains and lake taupo looked spectatular!
While we were in Taupo we also went to a gorgeous spot at sunset, where hot pools had formed and ran into the river there. The temperature could reach up to 40 degrees in some parts.
The night after our skydive we celebrated still being alive by going to Mulligans and joining in a local pub quiz! Believe it or not we actually came second (with the help of many many many others). That night our bus drivers (Spud and Ginny) were out too and they were absolutely hillarious, especially Spud who luckily did not have to drive the next day! Another night we ended up in a karaoke bar, which was also a good laugh, especially when Kim decided to get up and sing 'freebird' and 'light my fire' with Spud.
While we were in Taupo we also went to a gorgeous spot at sunset, where hot pools had formed and ran into the river there. The temperature could reach up to 40 degrees in some parts.
The night after our skydive we celebrated still being alive by going to Mulligans and joining in a local pub quiz! Believe it or not we actually came second (with the help of many many many others). That night our bus drivers (Spud and Ginny) were out too and they were absolutely hillarious, especially Spud who luckily did not have to drive the next day! Another night we ended up in a karaoke bar, which was also a good laugh, especially when Kim decided to get up and sing 'freebird' and 'light my fire' with Spud.
Waitomo, Nz
Waitomo is a very small town where there is only one pub, one shop, a backpackers place and a few houses. But this is where we did Black Water Rafting as it is the only place in New Zealand where you can do it.
The first challenge we had was getting into our wet suits, once we had accomplished that we headed into the caves. You go though the caves on black rubber rings, reaching a depth of 65m, where it is absolutely freezing and the water is like ice. But it was amazing, some of the gaps we had to get through were pretty small, at one point we had to lay flat on our ring and push our way through using our hands, as the rock was so low it came right up to our faces. There were also a couple of small waterfalls which we had to jump off backwards - scary! Some parts were relaxing though such as when we all had to turn our lights off and float along looking up at the glow worms at the top of the cave. By the end of it our fingers were blue, our toes were numb but it was definately worth it!
The first challenge we had was getting into our wet suits, once we had accomplished that we headed into the caves. You go though the caves on black rubber rings, reaching a depth of 65m, where it is absolutely freezing and the water is like ice. But it was amazing, some of the gaps we had to get through were pretty small, at one point we had to lay flat on our ring and push our way through using our hands, as the rock was so low it came right up to our faces. There were also a couple of small waterfalls which we had to jump off backwards - scary! Some parts were relaxing though such as when we all had to turn our lights off and float along looking up at the glow worms at the top of the cave. By the end of it our fingers were blue, our toes were numb but it was definately worth it!
Rotorua, Nz
On the way to Rotorua we stopped off at a beautiful gorge where we had to walk through dark tunnels and across scary wooden bridges that could only hold 10 people at a time. At one point a guy called Jin sat down in teh middle of one of the bridges because he got too scared as others were trying to rock the bridge from side to side!
When we arrived at Rotorua the first thing to hit us was the smell. The town has several mud pools and many geysers, which let off sulphur steam into the atmosphere... the smell can only be described as rotten eggs, not good when your hungover.
In the evening we made it to a Maori night, where we experienced what it would be like to come face to face with a tribe. To begin with we had to choose someone in our group to become cheif and tell the tribe we were there for peace and not war. Before the chief was able to do this the Maori's performed their tribal routine, which envoled several of them coming out with weapons and displaying there skills to us. This is a very serious ritual and we were not allowed to laugh, talk or even smile while it was being performed. There faces were so scary, especially when they made their eyes bulge, stuck their tounge out and screamed out noises to us!
Once this ceremony was over we were allowed to enter into their village , where we were able to learn more about their culture, watch the Haka being performed and enjoyed a big traditional dinner.
When we arrived at Rotorua the first thing to hit us was the smell. The town has several mud pools and many geysers, which let off sulphur steam into the atmosphere... the smell can only be described as rotten eggs, not good when your hungover.
In the evening we made it to a Maori night, where we experienced what it would be like to come face to face with a tribe. To begin with we had to choose someone in our group to become cheif and tell the tribe we were there for peace and not war. Before the chief was able to do this the Maori's performed their tribal routine, which envoled several of them coming out with weapons and displaying there skills to us. This is a very serious ritual and we were not allowed to laugh, talk or even smile while it was being performed. There faces were so scary, especially when they made their eyes bulge, stuck their tounge out and screamed out noises to us!
Once this ceremony was over we were allowed to enter into their village , where we were able to learn more about their culture, watch the Haka being performed and enjoyed a big traditional dinner.
Auckland, New Zealand
Our first stop in New Zealand (North Island) was Auckland. One day we managed to make it up to the top of the sky tower which enabled us to get a 360 degree view of the city, it was amazing but we didnt enjoy walking along the glass floor sections!! We also walked round by the harbour, where all the fancy bars and restaurants were.... would have spent a fortune if we went in anywhere so instead we decided to make our own sandwiches then head to the supermarket to pick up some cheap drinks!!!! When we left Auckland on the Kiwi bus we also got the chance to see Auckland from the top of a dormant volcano, not something you get to do everyday! From Auckland we travelled south to a little place called Mercury Bay, stopping off at cathedral cove on the way. It was really pretty but would have been more enjoyable if it wasnt so cold.
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Fiji
We left on Wednesday 14th November and landed in New Zealand on Friday!!!!!!! After meeting up with Greg a few hours later, all three of us spent the rest of the day looking like zombies. The next day we had a bright idea.... that was to spend a small fortune on a flight to Fiji that night... budgets had to be recalculated!!!!!
The first night we stayed in Nadi on the main land, where the mosquitos were there to welcome us. The next day we set sail to Bounty Island; home of Celebraty Love Island. Everywhere in Fiji you are greated by the locals playing the guitar and singing to you with flowers in their hair... including the men! Such a lovely atmosphere.
Bounty was a little taste of paradise, with only taking 20 minutes to walk around it. It was also surrounded by coral reefs which were great for snorkling. We saw some amazing colourful fish including one which was bigger than the three of us put together (almost..)!
The next place we dropped anchor was Walu beach. This was a bigger island and home to several beaches, but all of which seemed to feel remote and tranquil. Luck was on our side as we got upgraded to a gorgeous little lodge with several balconys overlooking the beach. Breakfast lunch and dinner all came as part of our package and every time it was amazing. The first night we even had a three course dinner.... no complaints there! Spent a lot of the time chilling in the sun, sea kayaking, learning to play the guitar and watching the shooting stars at night.
The day we left it decided to tip it down. We got drenched as we had to board a little fishermans boat in order to make it to our ferry which was further out in the ocean... everything went in bin liners including ourselves... it was funny to look back on but freezing at the time!
Fiji has hundreds of small islands and although we only got to see a couple of them we were pleased to get a taster. We definately enjoyed living on 'fiji time' for a while ('fiji time' is their excuse for being chilled/relaxed and never being in a rush to do anything).
The first night we stayed in Nadi on the main land, where the mosquitos were there to welcome us. The next day we set sail to Bounty Island; home of Celebraty Love Island. Everywhere in Fiji you are greated by the locals playing the guitar and singing to you with flowers in their hair... including the men! Such a lovely atmosphere.
Bounty was a little taste of paradise, with only taking 20 minutes to walk around it. It was also surrounded by coral reefs which were great for snorkling. We saw some amazing colourful fish including one which was bigger than the three of us put together (almost..)!
The next place we dropped anchor was Walu beach. This was a bigger island and home to several beaches, but all of which seemed to feel remote and tranquil. Luck was on our side as we got upgraded to a gorgeous little lodge with several balconys overlooking the beach. Breakfast lunch and dinner all came as part of our package and every time it was amazing. The first night we even had a three course dinner.... no complaints there! Spent a lot of the time chilling in the sun, sea kayaking, learning to play the guitar and watching the shooting stars at night.
The day we left it decided to tip it down. We got drenched as we had to board a little fishermans boat in order to make it to our ferry which was further out in the ocean... everything went in bin liners including ourselves... it was funny to look back on but freezing at the time!
Fiji has hundreds of small islands and although we only got to see a couple of them we were pleased to get a taster. We definately enjoyed living on 'fiji time' for a while ('fiji time' is their excuse for being chilled/relaxed and never being in a rush to do anything).
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