18th February 2001
Hi Everyone,
Well I arrived safely in New Zealand to be greeted by my two fab Uncles (Kieron and Chris) at the airport. I got to ride in their swish new Jaguar car which just gets driven on special day outs!!! After a beautiful 2hr drive north of Auckland through the beautiful lush and green country side, we arrived at their home in Tauronga. My uncles' house was a beautiful home with views of sweeping meadows and colourful flowers around the place. I finally got to see their Woolshed shop, Cafe, and Nursery which they have been running for years - a great place!!
Throughout my stay here I was ferried around to all the great tourist destinations like royalty - my uncles took great care of me and spoilt me rotten!!! We went to lots of places including a short hike up the local mountain at the beach near them, often referred to as 'the mount'. This short walk took you to the top of an extinct volcano which gives you an eastern view of the harbour bay area and the surburbs on one side and the western view is the open ocean and beach shores/coast - just breathtaking!! Uncle Kieron and I went up 'the Mount' via a path but decided to make our own way down on the way back, we went slipping and sliding through mud and vines - it was great fun!! We all went on drives to Waitomo Caves (twice!) where we went on a short boat ride to see thousands of glow worms!! (like your own little planetarium on a cave roof top) and had lunch. We also took drives to see some recent thermal activity in a park where one of the thermal springs blew its top and spurted out tonnes of mud, rock, and brown slime which covered everything for a 50 m radius and literally killed all native vegetation in its path as it was boiling hot- it was amazing not one person was hurt!! We also drove to Lake Taupo and did a bit of shopping down that way. It was a huge beautiful lake which had lots of water activities available on it!!! On our second trip back to Waitomo caves, I went black tube riding which entails a big rubber tyre, a wet suit, and a head light in which you walk down to underwater streams under old extinct volcanoes (I think) and float down through it - when everyone is quiet, you get to here the sounds of the running water, trickling of water falling from above, and 1000's of glow worms buzzing brightly for you so you can see there mystical designs of bright yellow dots!!! I loved it!! I also went white water rafting on a river near my uncles property. It was great. We went down about 6 grade 5 rapids - just fantastic!!! It was heaps of fun!!! My uncle kieron also took me to the local McLaren's falls where it is a beautiful nature reserve full of waterfalls, green pastures, and lakes and rock pools - so green and magical!!
I also got some time to relax and read books, snooze, write emails, and watch videos galore!! I had a great time here and look forward to coming back!! I loved going for my own little exploration through his property where I navigated a steep decent to the grade 5 river which goes through his property below - I did some quiet reading here. I was very sad to leave as they had both looked after me so well, Chris was a wonderful chef and cooked us meals that made it look like we were eating at restaurants - I never want to eat out again!!!
On our way to the aiport, Uncle Kieron and I spent some time looking around Auckland, we went to one-tree-hill, and a few other extinct volcano view points/parks, downtown city, and had lunch at a great cafe near the harbour. WEll, I am back in oz now and I will start looking for some work both in Australia and overseas and just see where things take me!!
catchya later
penny |
