Mon 8th Dec - Hot Water Beach
This morning we depart Auckland, beginning the route down to Wellington, our first stop overnight stop is Hot Water Beach. On route we stop at Pak N Save (cheap cheap supermarket) buying supplies, we will have a BBQ tonight.
After checking in at our hostel and having a longer than anticipated wait to get into the room due to a broken lock we walk to the beach to briefly have a go at digging holes in the sand in order to find the hot hot water! A large group of us have booked up the kayaking trip (to Cathedral Cove and the surrounding coastline) and we soon have to leave the beach ready to be picked up from the hostel for our afternoon activity. Despite the cloudy/grey weather, the kayaking proves to be great fun and informative regarding Maori history/stories.
Back at the hostel we warm up and shower, have our BBQ, then begin drinking. We are given a number of warnings to keep the noise down..silent disco in the kitchen proves to be a lot of fun.
This morning we depart Auckland, beginning the route down to Wellington, our first stop overnight stop is Hot Water Beach. On route we stop at Pak N Save (cheap cheap supermarket) buying supplies, we will have a BBQ tonight.
After checking in at our hostel and having a longer than anticipated wait to get into the room due to a broken lock we walk to the beach to briefly have a go at digging holes in the sand in order to find the hot hot water! A large group of us have booked up the kayaking trip (to Cathedral Cove and the surrounding coastline) and we soon have to leave the beach ready to be picked up from the hostel for our afternoon activity. Despite the cloudy/grey weather, the kayaking proves to be great fun and informative regarding Maori history/stories.
Back at the hostel we warm up and shower, have our BBQ, then begin drinking. We are given a number of warnings to keep the noise down..silent disco in the kitchen proves to be a lot of fun.
Tues 9th Dec - Waitomo
After departing Hot Water Beach we stop at Karangahake Scenic Reserve to explore the surroundings, crossing two swing bridges and walking the short trek. On arrival to Waitomo we first stop at the Legendary Black Water Rafting Company, our activity for the afternoon. Those that are doing this activity, there are a couple of options, pay (I have prepaid for a voucher including the Black Water Rafting, Hobbiton and Maori Village Cultural Show).
Soon after checking into our hostel me, both Rachels, Hannah, Anika, Emma, Edward, along with some of the germans are picked up to head back to the centre where we will be doing the Black Labrinyth (climbing, black water tubing, leaping and floating through Ruakuri Cave). Earlier Georgie started the Black Abyss, a more extreme option including abseiling and zip lines.. more costly too!
It is an awesome experience tubing through the cave and seeing the glow worms. After a warm shower, soup and bagels we are taken back to the hostel where as a big group we cook and eat fajitas. After we head to the nearby bar for a few drinks.
Weds 10th Dec - Rotorua
We leave Waitomo and have a brief forest walk before arriving at Hobbiton (insert Lord of the Rings Music). After the original trilogy was filmed, much of the set was cleared and the quality of the buildings that were left meant that they did not stayed preserved. Before the Hobbit Trilogy was put into production, the owner of the land, insisted that this time around the set was built properly and would stand the test of time. We spend two hours wandering around Hobbiton, a surreal experience, which ends with a drink at the Green Dragon Inn.
We are then driven to Rotorua where in the evening I head to the Tamaki Maori Village encounter and cultural show. On the mini bus heading to the village, I am chosen as the groups chief.. This means that I (along with 3 other chosen chiefs from other groups) have to stand in the middle whilst the Maori's enter the area and perform the haka. We then wait for one us of us to be chosen.. I am..! A small branch is laid in front of me, which I step forward, pick up and then greet the Maori Chief by placing my left arm on his shoulder (which he mirrors on me), gripping his right hand and then we twice touch each others nose with our nose.. then say Kia Ora.
It is a fantastic evening, where we are given an informative insight about all aspects of the Maori culture. Before eating our buffet feast, we are given a Maori performance, including the haka, rhythmic dancing and cultural songs.
We leave Waitomo and have a brief forest walk before arriving at Hobbiton (insert Lord of the Rings Music). After the original trilogy was filmed, much of the set was cleared and the quality of the buildings that were left meant that they did not stayed preserved. Before the Hobbit Trilogy was put into production, the owner of the land, insisted that this time around the set was built properly and would stand the test of time. We spend two hours wandering around Hobbiton, a surreal experience, which ends with a drink at the Green Dragon Inn.
We are then driven to Rotorua where in the evening I head to the Tamaki Maori Village encounter and cultural show. On the mini bus heading to the village, I am chosen as the groups chief.. This means that I (along with 3 other chosen chiefs from other groups) have to stand in the middle whilst the Maori's enter the area and perform the haka. We then wait for one us of us to be chosen.. I am..! A small branch is laid in front of me, which I step forward, pick up and then greet the Maori Chief by placing my left arm on his shoulder (which he mirrors on me), gripping his right hand and then we twice touch each others nose with our nose.. then say Kia Ora.
It is a fantastic evening, where we are given an informative insight about all aspects of the Maori culture. Before eating our buffet feast, we are given a Maori performance, including the haka, rhythmic dancing and cultural songs.
.JPG)
Thurs 11th Dec - Taupo
A wet wet morning means that many of us on the bus decide to chill out at a local cafe instead of a wet walk. I end up buying a NZ rain coat.
On route to Taupo we stop off to see the Huka Falls. We then spend the rest of the afternoon chilling out at the hostel in Taupo, briefly heading out for food supplies, I end up buying a new cap 'Havana good time'. In the evening we have pizza and beer at the hostel bar, then pre drink and head out for a fun night at the bar.
A wet wet morning means that many of us on the bus decide to chill out at a local cafe instead of a wet walk. I end up buying a NZ rain coat.
On route to Taupo we stop off to see the Huka Falls. We then spend the rest of the afternoon chilling out at the hostel in Taupo, briefly heading out for food supplies, I end up buying a new cap 'Havana good time'. In the evening we have pizza and beer at the hostel bar, then pre drink and head out for a fun night at the bar.
.jpg)
Fri 12th Dec - Taupo
Due to poor weather me, Rachel and Georgie, have cancelled our spot on the Tongariro Crossing, I plan to do this on my return bound trip up the North Island. I have been trying to do some spanish in preparation for my travels to South America. Kai has told me about a podcast called Coffee Break Spanish, I download a couple of episodes and spend the afternoon listening to them.
At 5pm a large number of people from the bus head to the port ready for a later afternoon/early evening sailing boat trip.. the sun is out and its great weather.. plus the boat is BYO! We spend a couple of hours on the boat, sailing on the lake, being treated to great views including interesting Maori carvings in stone. It's a shame that we return to the mainland before sunset. Back at the hostel and the drinking continues.. after a final game of Roxanne we are soon heading again to the hostel bar for a non stop night of lively dancing and a lot of fun. Edward and Anika especially have some unique moves!
Today we depart Taupo amd head to River Valley. On route we stop for an hours circuit walk through part of the Tongariro national park. We see native bush, waterfalls in the volcanic region (a filming location for LOTR) and in the distance Mount Doom in fact called Ngauruhoe! During the walk I spend much of time learning some Swedish from Emma and Moa, I have also started learning how to say 'how are you' in Danish, German, Dutch.
After a windy drive round the sides of a hilly area we arrive at the remote River Valley Lodge.. the bus parks at the top of a steep hill which we all then walk down! At River Lodge we stay in a huge 16 bed dorm! After dropping our bags off me and Emma head off to explore the surrounding area. We pull ourselves across the river and climb the hill where we have great views.
In the evening there is BBQ dinner..although closer to a beef buffet and then the drinking begins, with some fun bar games.
Sun 14th Dec - Wellington
In the morning many of the group head off to the water rafting and horse riding activities. I have a lie in and chill out with the others who have opted out of more (pricey) activities. We chill out and I spend some time writing my journal and practising some spanish.
Soon after lunch we are all climbing the hill back to the green kiwi bus, with most people then crashing on the bus journey to Wellington. I have been biten so much since Taupo and have two painful swollen bites on my arms!
On arrival to Wellington the sun is shining with blue skies above us. After checking in, we buy some alcohol and walk up to the Mount Victoria lookout to see the sun set.. a steep steep climb but awesome views await us. On our return to the hostel (insert LOTR music), we shower.. then far too much alcohol is consumed, with the majority of the bus squeezed into our 6 bed dorm! A great end to my first week on the Kiwi Experience. Tomorrow. . Early morning, me and Rachel will be continuing to the South Island whilst a large number of our new friends are staying two nights in Wellington. . On route however we will see them again due to 2 night stop overs in other destinations on route to Queenstown where we will then begin the bottom bus amd return to Queenstown for Christmas with everyone... apart from Georgie :( who will be spending more time exploring the North Island, hopefully me and Rachel will have a reunion again with Georgie before leaving NZ!
No comments:
Post a Comment