New Zealand - Week 4

Taupo

This was a long drive with only a few stops, one through the Tongariro National Park and saw Mt Doom. When we arrived in Taupo we went to see the Huka Falls which were lovely it is a waterfall. Then we went for a walk around the Lake and played a bit of golf where you had to get a hole in one at you would win $10,000 however the green was floating in the sea, Luke nearly got it... Mine, well it landed in the sand just off the cliff :s Then we had pizza hut for tea nom nom tasty.

Rotorua

This was a short drive away from Taupo and was an optional stop but we definately wanted to stop there as there were four activities alone that we wanted to do here yey :) we went for a little stop as some mud pools which were unbelievable its crazy, but smelly of eggs because of all the sulphur bleugh! Then to the hostel, we stayed at Crash Palace which was a fantastic hostel. When we arrived it was pouring with rain, so the hostel provided home made brownies whilst we watched movies.

On our second night we decided to do the Maori cultural night which was brilliant. The bus driver chose our chief, and then the chief was welcomed by the Maori tribe who acted out a traditional welcome ceremony to see whether we were enemies or not. Then we went into the village and took part in some of the Maori actvities which were great me and Luke participated in the all, Luke was even taught the Haka :) After this we went into a large entertainment building where the trip sung some songs, told stories and danced for us. Prior to this we were shown how they used to cook their food underground on the thermal hot stones because the area is so geothermal, and they brought the potatoes, lamb and chicken from underground which had been cooked on the hot stones for hours. Then we went into the dining area to have the Hangi which is the feast, and by gosh was it a feast, there was vegetables, potatoes, stuffing, muscles, lamb, chicken, gravy and bread all you can eat, and then for desert there was steamed pudding and custard and pavalova. It was the best food we have had since we have been travelling, much better than noodles :) we also tried one of the kiwi cocktails which was lush mmm.

The next day we went to the Thermal Wonderland, we got up early to check the weather and then booked the trip through the hostel. First stop was to the Mud Pools which we had already seen on our way in but the driver also told us of another viewing point which we checked out. Then onto the Lady Knox Geyser just in time for its eruption at 10.15 with a little help, then onto the park. Here we walked around and followed the map around all the landscapes formed from all the geothermal activity it was out of this world, but again as with the mud pools it did smell a little with the huge amount of sulphur.

Now Wednesday was my favourite day of New Zealand, we went to Hobbiton YEY! The set really is amazing, it was so much fun, I wish I lived at hobbiton in a hobbit hole. We finished in the Green Dragon pub and it is just like in the film, it is the same place they filmed it, and we were treated to an alcoholic beverage in a goblet and Luke had a pie also. I wanted to buy some goblets but they didn't have them for sale in the gift shop... gutted!

Last day in Rotorua and we went Zorbing, well we had to I mean it was founded in New Zealand, we decided to do one together, the wet one called the sidewinder. We had to superman/woman into the Zorb. It was such an amazing experience, we bought the video and the photos and definately want to do it again when we get home :) teehee soo much fun :)

Auckland

Final stop, on the way we stopped in Matamata aka Hobbiton again ha and took some photos of the information centre as it has been turned into a hobbit hole, and there is also a statue of golum inside. We met up with Carl and Catrina, and Irish couple we met at the start but they did the stray bus not the kiwi bus, but we kept bumping into them along the way and decided we would go for a night out with them on Friday. Sarah came too and we went to a Belgium bar because Sarah is from there, then to Father Teds bar for Carl and Catrina and finally to the Shakespear bar for us English.

Then saturday morning we all headed to the French market La Cigale and got some goodies and then had a chilled day.

Today we have treated ourselves to Pizza Hut and its another washing day before we fly to Fiji tomorrow.

Speak soon x