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Archive for April, 2007

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Waterfalls and Mt Doom

Wednesday, April 25th, 2007

I completed my first adventure activity in New Zealand. As I stated in the last entry, I did a kayak trip over a 7 meter waterfall (the world’s highest commercially rafted waterfall I might add). I was picked up at the hostel in Rotarua on Saturday and driven to the Kaituna River. I was put into a tandem kayak with me in the front and the guide in the back. After a lesson in kayak paddling and how not to kill myself, we set off with two other rafts full of people. I was the only person electing to take the kayak. I spent the next hour being plunged in and out of one rapid or another, including the very large waterfall. The trip over the waterfall happened very fast and I really didn’t feel anything except a forceful push in the end as I hit the bottom of the waterfall. I believe I did manage to swallow half the river which left me a little concerned about giardia, but so far so good. I bought the CD with the pictures of the trip so that I could actually relive the event and see what happened. It looks very exciting on the CD. [read on]

Driving Around and Discovering Interesting Things

Friday, April 20th, 2007

On Sunday, I picked up my car from the agency near the airport. I was given a brand, spanking, old 1995 Nissan Sunny EX Saloon. Its the type of car that when you floor the gas pedal, the car just ignores you and continues on its merry way. At least it has been very good on fuel. I have been getting about 30 miles to the gallon. After getting the car, I made my way out of Auckland with only one horn blown at me. From that point on I have spent the last week driving around the Northern part of the North Island. [read on]

New Zealand Arrival and Trip Planning

Friday, April 13th, 2007
I left the hostel at 3:00 am to catch my plane to Auckland. Upon arrival in customs, I was grilled particulary hard. They either didn't like the fact that I didn't have a prearranged place to stay, or I fit ... [Continue reading this entry]

Aitutaki, spiders, and my first sickness

Monday, April 9th, 2007
As with all things there is an end. I close out my time in the tropics with a 4:45 am flight to Auckland tomorrow morning. I spent my last few days in the Cook Islands on the island of Aitutaki ... [Continue reading this entry]

People Again

Thursday, April 5th, 2007
Rarotonga is the capital & largest of the Cook Islands. It is a lush island with a range of tropical mountains running down the center. All the people live on the coast and the center of the island is unihabited. ... [Continue reading this entry]