Adrenaline Junkies

Well we all would have guessed Mark would be an adrenaline junkie but we never thought Kate would be lol!!  So this week from caving to sky swings to sky dives to Rapid jets - what a week!!! 

The sky dive was incredible as you can imagine- a perfect sunny day over Lake Taupo with snow-capped mountains below!! 15,000ft  - Marks said if a jobs worth doing....

The next day for NZ best rapids where the boat lifted completely into the air - they have sunk 3 boats!! As there was only 4 of us  the captain said  he could have a bit of fun !!

What an amazing time we are having!!

Taupo

Hey guys. We have arrived in Taupo today. The lake here looks amazing with Tongariro Alpine crossing in the background, with snow on top of the peak.

The drive past the mountains is really something!

 We have booked to go jet boating tomorrow...  but what did we do this afternoon!!

A little sky diving perhaps???

Taupo lake is massive!  We are told it is big enough to fit the whole of Singapore in!

A celebratory drink after an amazing day!!

Rotorua

Well we have had a fun packed time in Rotorua which is one of the most active volcanic parts of NZ North Island!!  We started off with a Luge and skyswing and then a relaxing evening at the geothermal spa overlooking the lake which was steaming!!

As we arrive at the Polynesian Spa so does a coach load of tourist so we opt for our own private pool and wow was it worth it!!

Bliss!!

We are in perfect time for dusk so get to appreciate the lake at an amazing time!!

Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Park

Today we set off  in the morning to the geothermal park.  We picked up some  hitchhikers-  a couple of Danish girls so we wandered around the park with them.

The geyser at the park is the main attraction.

Rotorua is the most geothermal part of NZ and this park bubbles away with its odd coloured ground!

What smell??

The walk around the park is good and its nice to chat to the Danish girls and hear about their adventures too!!

Rotorua Skyline Park

This morning we went off to the Skyline Park.

You get a cable car up to the park which is at the top of the mountian with some amazing views over Rotorua.

At the top of the park there are  lots of different bits, restaurants and the famous Luge.

The luge ride is basically little go-karts which you go down the track on and  then get a smaller cable car back up for another go.

There are 3  different levels of tracks -we go for the middle course - its great fun!

Kate flies past Mark with ease!!

The cable car back to the top!

We booked our tickets at the park entrance for the Sky Swing so Kate was a little surprised when she saw what it was!  Still,  Kate braved it as we swung over the cliff edge - 

Sure reminds you your alive!!

Mauri Hangi - Rotorua

Saturday night 27th Nov we went to a Tamaki Mauri show where we walked through a village with all the mauri taditions and face paint etc.  Then we had a traditional hangi feast which is where the food is cooked underground with hot rocks and sticks with the heat from the underlying volcanic ground.  Rotorua where we are is full of hot baths, mud pools and tommorrow we shall see the Geyser!

Waitomo (Caveworld glowworms)

Saturday 27.11.2010

  We had an early start this morning and off to put our wet suits on to visit the Glow worm caves, Mark had to try 3 different suits on lol!  We decided to do the blackwater rafting which was going through the river of the caves sat on a black rubber ring! It was incredible! Approx 150ft underground, it was like being in the goonies film!  It was pitch black and we all were in a train with our feet under one another -5 of us and you only had a head light to switch on occasionally.  The glow worms were like fairy light all along the ceiling- amazing and very tranquil. 

Karangahake Gorge

Morning :-)  Today we are at Karangahake Gorge, just going for a walk around  the gorge this morning then heading of to Raglin.  We have a busy 5 days lef tin the North Island, too much to see and do.x

Coromandel range

Hey guys,  we are just chilling in the hostel called On the Beach backpackers lodge.  We  thought it would be good to set up a blog or at least try lol!  So here goes!!

This is our view from our room hoping we are not gonna get any roomies tonight  :-)

Our drive over to the Coromandel range proved interesting as we drove across our first unsealed road.  Dusty isn't the word and meeting other cars is interesting!!

The views are fantastic as we can see all over the peninsula.

We have a fantastic room at the hostel with a view right out onto the seafront.

This has to win the most colourful hostel award!