New Zealand!!

Hello everyone!

I just got back recently from a week holiday traveling New Zealand!! I had the best time, and highly recommend coming to this country! It really is a nature-lovers beautiful country, and everyone is super nice and helpful (a lot like Oz).

I flew in to Auckland in the North Island, and spent a day touring the city. It's kinda like a mini-SF, and I covered it quicker than I thought. Being an American, I'm not used to these so called "cities" that are the size of Santa Barbara or smaller. Weather was kinda crummy, so this day wasn't all that exciting, but was just nice to be out and doing something different. I did meet up with my friend Jordan for dinner that night, and that was great. She was the Bonavita's previous Au Pair from a year ago, who is now living in NZ.

Sunday Morning, I took a very early flight down to Queenstown on the bottom of the South Island. I LOVED Queenstown! It's like a small Lake Tahoe with obvious adventurous attractions. There was still snow on the mountains, but not in the valleys where I was staying. This small town is truly beautiful and would definitely go back there if I can. I quickly located my hostel, which basically was a small cabin close to town, and very social. I immediately met lots of people. The moment I dropped my bags, I asked the guy who checked me in, to see about Bungy Jumping...yes! It was 11am at the time, and I was then signed up for a 2o'clock jump. I knew I just HAD to do it this day, because if I waited, I would have more time to think and probably would have backed out. This was a challenge for me of course, more than anything. When else in my life and where will the timing be better!?! Life is great and I wanted to celebrate that by doing something totally crazy and rewarding! Of course, I did not tell my mom or family because bringing on that worry is just totally unnecessary! Even though I'm safe now, I still don't think she approves that ;) Sorry mom. As I was waiting to be taken to the jump, I sat down and met 2 other Americans going on the same jump. Instantly, it's like you have new best friends because you're in the same boat together. Or in this case, the same pod or rope. Becoming each other's cheer squad, we road up to the Nevis Bungy Jump which stands at 134 meters!! It's the biggest in the world, and the 3rd I think in the world. Totally and utterly crazy, I know. Luckily, I was pumped and too excited to really realize what was going on to freak out and back out. I was proud of myself, just went through the motions and thought "okay, this is it...this is really happening! Lets go!!" We went out there, and took care of business. With my new friends and rockin' music, I did it!! I actually did it and the feeling the whole time is just priceless, like nothing else. It goes against everything in your heart, mind and body to do this and that was the challenge I overcame. I physically had to push myself and do this. Just me. Who knows if I'll ever do it again, but I'm so glad I did it then and there. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.

Monday, I took a day tour to Milford Sound which is one of nature's beauty highlights. I took a long tour bus ride west to this location where glaciers passed though (and are still passing) thousands of years ago. The weather wasn't clear, but at least it wasn't raining. Don't think my pictures do any justice, but it was really breathtaking and spectacular. Ironically, I was joined by my two roommates that I was staying with at the hostel in Queenstown. So, it was nice having someone to talk to. They were from Germany and very nice.

Tuesday, I shopped and walked around town with my other new friend Vicky. We were told that we just HAD to eat a burger at the FergBurger. I can never pass up a burger, so we did. It was huge, and delicious, but I still think the In and Out, or my Dad's burgers are the best! ;) That afternoon, I took a flight back up to Auckland. I wish I had one more day in Queenstown, I just loved it!

Wednesday, I had a full tour day. I was picked up very early to then drive down to Rotorua, which is where the Mudpools and Natural Springs and Geysers are. Supposedly, the earths lava is only about 7km from the surface here, which is very shallow in comparison to how big our earth is. I know, it's just "mud," but to see it actually seeping out of the ground on it's own, is pretty cool and weird. The geysers are continuously shooting into the air releasing pressure. The natural springs are like huge spas, but most are waaaaay too hot to soak up in. There was definitely a smell of sulfur in the area...not so lovely. In this small town, we also went through a NZ wildlife zoo. I got to see an actually Kiwi animal. It's very small and not really what I was expecting, but cool! Fun to say I got to see one ;) Then, I was taken to Waitamo Caves a few hours away. On the drive there, I met this really cool guy who was my tour guide. He was a NZ local, has been married for almost 50 years, and does these tours for fun. Just a very cool guy to talk to and reminded me of my Grandpa Irelan with the good positive outlook on life. Very uplifting and nice to see in a complete stranger! Anyways, Waitamo Caves is a place where you can go on a boat on water through these caves underground and see glowwarms everywhere. Reminded me of a Disneyland trip. Unfortunately and obviously, I couldn't take pictures since everything there is so delicate and old. Was a very quick tour, but very unique and awesome. This tour was great because not only did I see these locations, but I saw a lot of the country by just driving. Lots of sheep, cows, wineries, and just green country. My guides were very helpful and informative with so much "Kiwi" information.

Thursday, I was supposed to take a sail around Auckland, since it is know as the city of sails, but it was raining and my tour got canceled. It was okay though, because I thought it'd then be nice just to have a day of no tours/activities. I quickly made friends with a girl from Ireland, one from Germany, and Finland. We all just spent the day shopping, and went and saw a movie. Was nice just being with people my age, doing what I do and like. Made me miss my friends at home... That night, we went out to a few bars and had a grand old time. Felt good and I know I needed a day like that. Jordan, my other friend, also met up for a bit.

Friday afternoon, I flew back to Sydney. At this point, I was just tired and broke and was looking forward to being home. Saturday morning, I got up early and went and toured around the Sydney Opera House and harbor. Took some pictures too, since I haven't even done that yet! I'll be back there soon though to really spend more time, as the weather gets better. That afternoon, I took the train back home. Good to be home after a crazy, busy but fun week on my own. The girls were in Melbourne at the grandparents, and Fiona was picking them up, and Simon was away for work...so I had 3 whole days of the house to myself. So nice!

Overall, I just had the BEST time in NZ. I really needed a trip like that! It reminded me again why I love to travel so much and do all these crazy things. I made so many new friends, that I know I'll be in touch with for who knows how long, but made some great memories with them! I really feel like I got a great grip of the country, and did what I went to do.

Now I'm home, back in Jervis Bay!! Well....tomorrow, we are actually off to Queensland again. Fiona has her highschool reunion, so we are all going up for a long holiday. I'm really excited, as it's going to be warm, beautiful beaches, and I'll possibly get to get out on the islands! It's the most southern part of the Great Barrier Reef. Should be beautiful! After this trip, we're all here for good. I'll be reporting on that as soon as I can after I get back!! Cheers!

Can you believe I'm coming home in 9 weeks!!?