Kiwi Experience: The North Island

Two days after my parents left, I was on a plane heading back to New Zealand, this time to do Kiwi Experience, a hop on/hop off bus tour. Normally, I would have waited till the end of my Australia trip to go back to New Zealand but seeing as I hadn’t packed for cold weather I needed to make sure I went while it was still summer. I started in Wellington, which is the southern most point of the north island as well as the capitol, and worked my way up and back around before heading down south for a second time. Since I am covering such a large portion of time (I was there for just under a month), I thought it would be easiest to keep my description to a minimum and let my many pictures speak for themselves. Enjoy!

The big green bus that took me just about everywhere there is to go in New Zealand!

One of my first stops was in Rotorua. The abundance of geothermal hot pools (geysers) made the town smell like asphalt and rotten eggs.

This is zorbing; that's me inside a big ball filled with water rolling down a hill. I imagine this is what it feels like to be inside a washing machine.

My first night in town I went to a Maori Village which re-enacts the ancient ceremonies and warrior traditions of pre- European times. There is a much stronger Maori presence on the north island than there is on the south island and I was happy to be able to learn more about the culture even if it was just for one night.

On only my second day of Kiwi Experience, I met four different sets of best friends traveling together (in other words, there is a lot of man love at this table). They started their trip in Christchurch, and were finishing up their tour just as I was starting mine, but it was nice to have so many people to hang out with my first week on the bus. Here we are enjoying our feast at the Maori Village.

I went luging with a few of the boys my second day in Rotorua. For those of you that aren't familiar with the luge, it's like go- kart racing down a steep hill. I came in last place every time.

I stopped mid- race to take a this picture (this may or may not have contributed to my many losses...)

My last few days with these boys were spent in the Bay of Islands, the most northern part of New Zealand.

Early the next morning before we headed back to Auckland, we went on a four hour boat tour. We saw heaps of wild dolphins and this well known landmark, hole in the rock.

Mercury Bay was my first stop with my new bus group, this was taken during my kayak trip.

Mt. Doom from Lord of the Rings.

While I was in Taupo, the adventure capitol of the north island, I decided it might be fun to go up 15,000 feet in the air and jump out a plane (barefoot). They encourage you to jump at 15,000 feet because that way you will get a full minute of freefall. The first 10-15 seconds you're kind of just thinking to yourself, "What in the world did I just do?!" After that, you can take in everything in and just enjoy the view.

Hi Mom!

Yup, that's the curve of the world.

I met Haz while in the Bay of Islands. She was also traveling by herself and we quickly became bus buddies! We did all of our crazy, high adrenaline activities together. Here we are dressed and ready to take on Black Water Rafting: The Abyss in Waitomo.

Abseiling down a 130 foot hole!

Our group after climbing up the three waterfalls of doom! This black water rafting trip was by far one of the most fun things I've ever done in my life.

I was in River Valley for the morning of my birthday... so why not spend it paddling down grade five rapids?

Although we got absolutely drenched during the ride, we were the only boat not to flip over. Some might say that makes white water rafting less exciting, those people would be crazy.

I spent the night of my birthday out in Wellington. This is a picture with my three closest friends I made on the trip: Laura, Haz, and Beth. Sadly, Haz stayed on the north island for a bit longer than the rest of us, but we've kept in touch and I'm hoping to visit all three of them in England sometime this year.

Kiwi Experience: The South Island

Although I had already been to the south island with my parents, I was excited to go again with the Kiwi bus. It’s important that you like your bus group very much on the south island because you are stuck with them from Nelson all the way to Queenstown. Unlike the north island, people don’t do as much hoping off on the west coast because the towns are so small you can cover each stop in one full day. I am happy to report that I loved everyone on my bus. Like with the north island, I’m going to let the pictures (and lengthy captions) do the talking…

Our first stop on the south island was in Nelson. This is Laura, Beth, and I before going for a ride on New Zealand's fastest jet boat!

The girls and I with our awesome Kiwi driver, Duncan.

The water was freezing, but it was definitely worth this shot!

Greymouth Beach

Pancake Rocks

Every Kiwi bus stops in Lake Mahinapua, where we have a theme party. Our driver Duncan picked the "make a costume out of a garbage bag" theme... a little on the lame side if you ask me, but everyone made the most of it. Beth, Laura, and I went as Greek goddesses.

Everyone from my bus all dressed up!

Getting chummy with Les, the owner of the Mahinapua Hotel.

About to climb the Franz Josef glacier.

Without a doubt, the most difficult climb of the day (and we weren't even on the glacier yet).

Our guide was really great and let each one of us take a picture with his ice pick.

Laura, Beth and I took the Gondola up to the top of Queenstown.

Getting suited up for the Nevis Bungy... can you see the fear in my eyes?

3... 2... 1... BUNGY!

At 134 meters (440 feet) the Nevis is the third highest bungy jump in the world.

That little dark spot in the middle of the baby blue sky? That's me... no big deal.

We all survived!

Out for one last night in Queenstown with Laura and Beth.

I met some of the most wonderful people and did the most amazing things on this trip. I will never forget all the incredibly experiences!

Mom & Dad visit: Australia

My favorite day in Hamilton was spent sailing to Whitehaven beach. During the summer months in Queensland (the state Hamilton Island is located in) it’s necessary to wear stinger suits in the water due to the high number of jellyfish. Although this made my Mom nervous, she and Dad were both troopers and came snorkeling with me. It was definitely my favorite snorkel spot so far; I couldn’t believe all the different types of fish, rays, and turtles we saw! On Sunday we took a ferry to Airlie Beach and spent the afternoon eating an eight- course brunch at Deja Vue. We were so stuffed we didn’t even bother going out for dinner that night! The last day we were there it did rain a lot, but that didn’t interfere with Dad’s early round of golf or mine and Mom’s full body massages (ahh the perks of vacationing with your parents) so we had no complaints!

Sailing the Whitsundays.

Whitehaven Beach.

Unfortunately, not very many pictures turned out well from my underwater disposable camera, but at least I was able to capture this friendly sea turtle.

Dad helping out on the boat, what a natural!

The Yacht Club, where we had dinner our last night in town.

Cockatoos were everywhere on the island, here's one just chilling on our balcony.

Upon arriving at our hotel in Sydney, the receptionist told us we had been upgraded (Mom’s favorite word) to the penthouse. Not a bad way to end our vacation, eh? Our first day we spent walking around Sydney Harbour, eating lunch at a café in Circular Quay, taking a ferry ride over to Manly beach, and then having dinner with Brooke and Jay in The Rocks. I was so happy my parents could meet some of my friends! We woke up bright and early next morning and headed to Hunter Valley for a wine tour. If I remember correctly our favorite vineyard was called Iron Gates. Dad had them ship a dozen bottles or so back home; I made him promise he would save at least one bottle to drink with me. As a Christmas present I bought my parents tickets to a show and tour of the Opera House, which is how we spent our Saturday afternoon. We all loved the tour and enjoyed listening to the music during The Man In Black: The Johnny Cash Story. Our final day, Mom and I did some serious shopping at the markets before having a lovely Valentines day dinner in Darling Harbour. I couldn’t believe how quickly three weeks passed with my parents. I loved every minute of them being here. I would highly recommend my siblings going abroad, if only to have our parents to come and spoil them crazy during their visit!

The view from the penthouse... not too shabby.

Just a couple of beach bums hanging out in Manly.

Interior of the Opera House... We actually learned on the tour that due to some political issues, the Danish architect Jorn Utzon never saw his finished product.

They've had everything from operas, concerts, and wrestling matches take place in the main hall.

Thanks Mom and Dad for the best trip ever!