Kiwi Experience... Part One

Ok, so most of you know that I have been away on a trip called the Kiwi Experience.. Its been amazing! Basically, for those of you who dont know, its a huge road trip covering both the north and south islands of New Zealand... It took us 17 days, and i thoroughly enjoyed every single day, even when i was ill !!!

Day 1- Auckland to Mercury Bay..

We got picked up in Auckland at 8.30am and set off for the Coromandel Peninsula. We stopped after about 2.5 hrs and had lunch in a small ex mining town called Thames! This was much needed as we didnt have time for breakfast thismornin due to our early start... When we arrived at Mercury Bay, we went for a little walk down onto the beach, we stayed there for a while, the weather wasnt great, cloudy and miserable... But we still managed to paddle in the Pacific Ocean, which was pretty sweet, seems really exotic! Once that was done we walked back to the bus and drove for about half an hour to Whitianga where we stayed for the night.. After tea (spag bol) we went to a place called the Lost Springs which is a man made natural hot pools. I know that seems to contradict but what i mean is that the natural hot mineral water is under the ground, the guy just built the hot pools... Hmm whatever...

Day 2- Mercury Bay to Rotorua..

We left Whitianga at 7.30am, which wasnt as bad as i thought it would be. A long day on the bus lays ahead of us. We stopped for a little leg stretch at the Karangahake Gorge, and went for a little walk through the old gold mines there, which was nice apart from the fact it was raining.

This was just enough to wake us up, before we were back on the bus. Our next stop was in Matamata for lunch, which was made famous for being the setting of Hobbiton in the Lord of the Rings films.

Then it was back on the bus for the last hour of our journey into Rotorua. Once we were there i headed down to the lake and read in the sun for a bit.

Tonight we went to a Maori Experience Night. It was amazing, we ate a 'hangi' a traditionally cooked Maori meal, which involved all of the food being buried underground in a pit with boiling rocks around it, for a couple of hours, and then served up for us to eat. It was sooo nice ! Then we were entertained by the Maori family that run the place. We saw dances and other activites that the Maori people used to do.

Day 3- Rotorua to Waitomo..

If you have read my blog before then you will know that i have already been to most of these places, but thats just cuz im really cool. Once we get a bit further south in the north island, we get to places i havent been before. Haha..

So today we drove from Rotorua to Waitomo, the main activity here is caving and black water rafting, not many people did this, however the ones who did absolutely loved it. I chose not to because one of my friends has a voucher for 2 people to do it, and she has asked me to go with her, so that means that i wont have to pay the $120 that all those who did it today had to pay!

Tonight i decided i wasnt going to drink, so i became judge of all the drinking games! It was so much fun.. I loved it !

Day 4- Waitomo to Taupo..

We had a late departure today which was nice. Then we had a three hour drive to Taupo! I love Taupo, its one of my favourite palces in New Zealand. It poured down the whole journey there, its miserable, we havent had any sunshine yet! We explored Taupo in the rain, before going back to the hostel, getting showered and changed before pre drinks in our room, before heading to the local Irish bar (love it)... Had an awesome night there, not much sleep, but we have 2 nights in Taupo, so can sleep in tomorrow.

Day 5- Taupo

After a lay in, waking up for lunch, it was still pouring down, getting worse throughout the day, so we stayed in and played board games all day !! Haha... Fun.. Tonight there is a pjama party in the bar next to our hostel, so we got ready for that...

Had an awesome night ! Loved it !!

Day 6- Taupo to River Valley

A long drive South today to River Valley. Everyone slept most of the way, we arrived in River Valley at about 4.30pm. The lodge we stayed in was in the middle of nowhere, there was no signal, and it was so close to a river that we could here it from our rooms. Most people used this as an excuse for an early night because there was nothing to do here.

Day 7- River Valley to Wellington

After lunch, we left River Valley on our longest drive yet, 5.5 hrs to the capital, Wellington. Again, most people slept on the bus, we arrived in Wellington in time for tea. After that we all went out because it was one of the girls birthday.. So that was fun.. Back to the room for 5.30, due to leave on the ferry at 7!!!