North Island!

Well, here we are at the end of our time in New Zealand....and what to say...except WOW! We have loved it, the scenary, the people, the activities...everything!!!! The north island has been great, Wellington was nice as it was the first time we had been to a city for a few weeks!!!! Quite a shock to the system! We adjusted by trips to the chinese, the pub and of course the museum!!!! (where we saw the worlds fastest Indian!!!!) From Wellington we headed north to Tangariro, where we did the crossing, then on to Taupo for our skydive!!! Also in Taupo we visited the craters of the moon - a volcanic area that looks much like the moon - steam and mud bubbling everywhere!!!, Huka Falls and Dam, and a Prawn Farm.....actually more interesting than it sounds...we got to feed baby prawns.....then we went to the restaurant and tasted them!!!! The Dam on Huka river is opened a number of times a day to regulate the flow of water, and watching that flow of water fill what was a relatively dry river bed was quite spectacular! We have learnt lots this week about thermal activity and volcanos, as the route we have taken up across the north island takes us through the Taupo volcanic zone. We have seen geyzers, mud pools, steam vents, sulphur caves....all sorts! We spent two days in Rotorua soaking in the thermal pools and mud....apparently very good for the skin (and any aches and pains....which was good for my sore bum!!!) We then visited Whakatane (pronounced Fa-Ka-Tarn-Nee)...where we did a boat trip out to White Island....one of New Zealand's two live volcanos! The whole island is the volcano and we landed on a side where a landslide had collapsed the crater wall. We then had over an hour tour around the crater itself!!!! Gas mask and hard hat at the ready!! "Choice!" Now we have reached Aukland, and have met up with Alison, one of my best friends from Uni......we have chilled out and relaxed....oh, and me and Alison rekindled those dancing shoes with a visit to Boogie Wonderland last night.....the dance floor didn't know what had hit it! We spend our last night in New Zealand tonight out for a lovely meal and then on to the Casino......well.....we do have 7 more months to fund!!!!! xxxx