At first: Sorry I haven't written anything for the last time! I was on a North Island Tour for 2 weeks during the holidays - it was amazing! Seriously, I advise that to everyone who stays or plans to go to New Zealand. :)
For those who have no idea what it is: There are organisations offering 8 - 11 days tours to the South or North Island of the country. You go there with a group of about 30-50 other international students and travel around to see different places, staying in hostels at night.
During the day you do maaaany many activities together which are a lot of fun and you get to know the group muh better!
Anyway, I want to show you some of our pictures now!! (;
Arriving at the airport in New Zealand's capital - Wellington - passengers immediatly feel that they're in the country of the 'Hobbit'!
Well, apart from that Wellington has actually nothing to do with the Hobbit. We like it for its beautiful waterfront and citylife-feeling. :)
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| from the left: Yoko, Luci, Viola |
Here we go: my new buddy!
first group photo on the tour:
Our group was amazing!! We came from many different countries - Japan, America, Denmark, Italy, France, Holland, Switzerland, Austria and Germany
In the preparation week in January we had already visited the Te Papa Museum, so this was the second time for me and a few others who live in Wellington, such as Luci. I've known Luci from our preparation week and since that time we've managed to stay in touch, we were both surprised that we went on the same tour and could see each other again! ((:
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| on a screen in Te Papa where you can post a photo of you |
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| on a platform on top of the museum from the left: Lisa, Kim, Luci, Yoko, Leonie |
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| yeah - that's where we are!! :) on the right: Iris |
Our trip went on to Taupo where we went to the Thermal Hot Pools at night. As the name says, they were all heated, apart from the water slides - that was real nice!
The next day we had some free time to see the 'city' (rather a village) of Taupo.
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| Tabea, Alena, Yoko, Leonie |
One of the best things I've done here in Kiwi Land: Bungy Jumping!!!
As a person who loves height, speed and adventures, that was the perfect activity to do for me! I loved it! To everyone who may still have some doubts: Do it - and don't miss diving into the water, that's amazing! :)
That's what our jump-off platform in Taupo looked like - wonderful colours, aye?
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| one, two, three, juuuump - 47m down into the river! |
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| right after being pulled out of the water |
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| trying to wave |
Next stunning views: at the Huka Falls!!
On our way from Taupo to Rotorua we also stopped at the Mudd Pools near Rotorua.
It's quite smelly out there, but it looks actually funny if you have a look at the bubbles coming out every second. :b
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| Antoniaaaa |
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| Henna, Yoko, Julia, Iris and John, the Kiwi (: |
In Rotorua we went onto the Skyline Gondola and did the 'Luge' - a kind of car race:
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| the Gondola |
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| the 'waggons you were sitting in and racing down the hill |
Also in Rotorua our group visited Te Puia - a kind of big Maori Museum to discover.
The third longest word in the world!
In that Maori house our boys and girls learned the first bits of the 'Haka' - the traditional Moari dance. Later on the tour we learned the complete dance which was just a great experience!
That's how they make baskets out of plants:
I saw the first geyser in my live, that was pretty cool!!
Our tour guide, Antonia and me making the 'Pukana' face which is at the end of the 'Haka'.
I guess we still need a bit of practice, don't we? :D
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| close enough!! |
This is Robin, one of the tour leaders - our 'nana'. :b She's a lovely lady!
On the bus to the next place we were pretty much always awake and doing something. At least doing some faces, boredom would never have a chance to kill us! :D
Time for some 'Agroventures' in Rotorua!! :)
'Free Fall Extreme'
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| felt like flying - that was real fun! |
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| Dario, me and two 'helpers' |
'Agrojet' - a kind of speed boat on the water:
'Zorbing'!!
You're inside a giant ball and we chose to do it with water, the water was actually pretty warm, like in a SPA pool. It was sooo much fun, we were laughing and screaming all the time because you're squeezed and you're falling down on each other every second. :D
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| the zorbing track |
'Water Rafting'!!!
That was probably the best 'Agroventure' of the day, in my opinion! The sun was shining quite hard when we did, so it was very refreshing being pretty much in the water. The rafting was really exciting! We had to go around tricky turns aaaand...
... down a 1m, 2m and 7m waterfall!! :D
Fortunately the boat didn't turn when we fell down. :b
We were always putting out paddles together after managing one task, like going down a waterfall or avoiding a stream.
In the evening we went to Tamaki Maori Village where we saw some perfomances, were told some details about Maori life and culture and we could try Maori Hangi, a traditional food.
Maori Hangi are specially cooked vegetables and meat. You dig a hole into the ground and put hot stones into that hole. After that you put the vegetables and meat into covered baskets and place those on top of the hot stones. You cover that construction with earth and after a few hours you bring the food back to the surface and it's ready to eat! (: It tastes pretty good!
Next destination: Hobbit Set!!!
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| exciteeeeed! |
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| view out of the bus - wide grass, a lot of sheep |
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| Where should we go? |
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| Mmmh, I think we should go where there's food! |
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| new home? (: |
Everything was exactly as in the movie!! Absolutely stunning!
Proud to touch the same postbox as the actors :o :D
dressing up in that historical style:
Welcome to Raglan, guys!
This appeared to us like a quite touristic city, but veeery beautiful and holiday-feeling-creating! (:
At the ocean:
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| oh yeah :D |
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| Titaaaanic! |
As we crossed the bridge (we were dressed as in the picture above) we met some girls and boys of our group and our conversation was pretty much like that:
the other guys: Hey, does somebody of you wanna join us jumping from the bridge? It's fun!
us: Isn't the water cold?
them: No, not really. Are you wearing togs (swimwear)?
me: Yeah, I actually am.
them: Come on then!
me (not really thinking anymore, I already knew what my answer would be): Okay sure!! :D
It was fuuuuuuuun!
Awww you don't see such a sign that often where I come from - Beach Access!! Like that!
We also had a professional surf lesson!!! It was my first one and it was just amazing!
In the evening: sunseeeeet (:
Next day: Ah Reed Kauri Park
... and the Hundertwasser Toilets in Kawa Kawa:
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| I wish they'd always have bright toilets like that - cool, aye? |
Ruapekapeka Pa Site:
Here was the major battle between British forces and the local Maori.
Today there are a few memorials reminding visitors of what happened at that place.
the place of the Treaty of Waitangi, a significant place in NZL's history:
doing the 'Haka' here was very special - special place, creating a special feeling
Different city: Paihia!!
Lovely place! Paihia's Pier just looks beautiful!
Here we had such a good night at the beach!!! A group of 10 people decided after having fish and chips at the waterfront together to buy 4 litres of ice cream and to eat it at the beach! :D
That was just such a funny thing to do!
Meanwhile we all had this one song stuck in our heads: We are the world, the ones who're left behind.. . :b
90 miles Beaches Drive!! (:
First stop: Puketi Kauri Forest - another chance to hug big trees!
When we're coming the birds can't chill anymore :b
We drove up to the very top of NZL: Cape Reinga!
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| Of course my flag had to be present! I've already collected some signatures (: |
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| the lighthouse at Cape Reinga |
the famous '90 miles beaches' which are actually just 55 miles long
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| our bus drove on the sand which was pretty cool because when you were looking out of the window you felt like you were driving in the ocean - the water was soo close to you! |
the 'hole in the rock':
Sandboarding in Te Paki!!
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| felt like in Egypt with those huge pyramids |
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| okay, actually you shouldn't do that, but I assure that I didn't ride down the hill like that :b |
At night: dressing up our boys!! Don't they look adorable?
Afterwards: Midnight swimming!! :)
A 'Perfect Day Ocean Cruise' on a boat to the 'Poor Knights Islands
summer temperatures!!! blue sky :))
Getting ready for: Snorkelling!
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| Let's go! |
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| Afterwards: Stand up Paddeling - at that moment, we didn't stand up yet |
On our way back to the harbour we were driving into some caves and cruising the Poor Knights Islands:
Last days: Auckland City!
Amazing views out of the Skytower:
Amazing views out of the Skytower:
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| Harbour Bridge |
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The Skytower from the outside ((:
SHOPPING!!!
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| Dunkin Donuts :b |
We enjyoed it!
The time I spent with those people was just undescribably awesome!!! I've never had sooo much fun every day! Each day was different, surprising, sunny, amazing, in its special way perfect!
I already miss those guys and I really hope to see some of them back in their homecountry or still here in NZL! (:
Hope you enjoyed following,
Yoko xoxo
PS.: A friend of mine has also got a blog, you can read more about our tour there as well!
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