Kia Ora people ha ha.

Just got back to Auckland after spending a week away on our jollies. We went to Mount Maunganui (or something can't remember spelling but you guys won't have a clue anyway). It was a small holiday resort (is it a town or a village Chrissie?!) near Tauranga (again stupid Maori word I can't spell). The Mount is by the sea (where we stayed) and has the most gorgeous beaches, white sand crystal clear water and its so long that there is practically never anyone around. Chrissie said its very reminiscent of Surfers Paradise if anyones been there (we will soon tell you if thats true) but without the high rise buildings and hoards of people. There's a smallish street in the centre with bars and restaurants and surf shops which was cool, but Tauranga was a bigger resort with loads of bars and clubs along the front. Our apartment we stayed in was gorgeous. It was like a little 3 story house with lounge and kitchen and ocean views (wit woo!), we've been spoilt really recently with all this nice accommodation.

We did so much I can hardly remember. Of course we went to the beach a lot seen as it was just literally over the road. We went body boarding (and I had a rash all week on stomach thanks to the sand on the board but was worth it waves were awesome). I made a shell man (see photos). Oh the shells were so cool I spent hours collecting literally hundreds and hundreds of really beautiful shells but nobody wanted them (shame on you Chrissie you've missed out there) and theres obviously a limit to the amount of shell necklaces you can carry so had to abandon them I'm sorry to say! We attended a wedding on the beach (ha ha) and Chrissie got dunked by some massive waves, this was hilarious. Just after telling us how she never puts her head under the water because she has a phobia of being underwater a huge wave crashed over her and dunked her. She moaned all week about the graze from been dragged along the sea bed (there was blood apparently) but was worth it just to see her head bobbing up from the waves ha ha classic moment.

One day we had a day out at Rotorua. Rotorua is a a town where two tectonic plates meet, apparently the Australian and Pacific plates (according to Jack) and consequently theres loads of volcanic and natural thermal activity in the area. You just drive around and theres bubbling hot pools and geysers (like the one in the picture above) and the whole town stinks of the sulphur from the pools. Chrissie had told us about this park where they supposedly had the best hot pools, lakes and geysers so we set off early doors to catch the 10:15 geyser erupting. But after ten minutes of driving it became clear that yours truly had forgotten all the details and directions (whoops!). So after driving around aimlessly for a while and quite a few heated debates (?!!) we managed to get to Rotorua. Obviously by this time it was well past 10:15 so we missed the geyser but as it turns out Chrissie had read the instructions wrong in the first place and it was nearer Taupo about another hour further south of Rotorua so me and Kat will probably check that out on our way to Wellington.

First we checked out the Blue and Green Lakes, which are apparently some sacred site to Maori's or something, and Lake Tawera which was absolutely beautiful. Then it was time for the ZORB! Zorb is something that was developed in New Zealand a few years ago (well it is the adventure capital of the world), and is basically like a giant inflatable ball which you get in and it's then filled with 50 litres of water and your rolled down a hill! If you still don't know what I'm talking about check out the photos which I'll post as soon as possible, but just imagine a cross between a hamster ball and a washing machine and your nearly there! Me and Kat went first followed by Jack and Viv. It was hilarious! You have to run and jump head first like super man through a small hole to get in, then you have to walk in the ball until you start rolling down the hill, then obviously your just slipping and sliding about in the water getting absolutely soaked. It was so much fun just laughed the whole way down.

After we decided to take it one step further and have a go on the Swoop. Again the photos will make it more clear but its basically like a horizontal bungy jump. The two of you are laid down in sleep bag type contraptions (actually think they're paragliding sacks) and then your raised 50 metres in the air and once you pull the rip cord you drop at 140 km/h towards the ground then proceed to swing about for several minutes. It was mental. Me and Kat went together again and I got the short straw and had to pull the rip cord. That first few seconds when your just free falling is mad, the photos are so funny, mine and Kat's face are so funny. It was such good fun (although I don't think Viv would agree) and has warmed us up for sky diving and proper bungy jumping which we'll be doing soon!!!!!!!

Last two days was a bit overcast so we just mooched about, went shopping, played poker (?!) and I got to show off my golfing skills at miniputt (yeah right I'm so gay at it. Kat as usual managed 18 holes in one, well not quite but might as well have done ha ha). Went to some hot pools at the Mount which was cool and can't remember anything else at the moment and I'm bored of typing so that'll do for now.