Hey dudes- well I'm finally out of the city and in to the heart of what NZ is all about. And it is breathtaking, heart-stopping, outrageous and inspiring. I met up with a group of like-minded guys and gals at the airport in Auckland on Monday. And here is what I know - its always a good thing when the first six people you meet are wearing chacos...

Everyone in my group is in the country for the same reasons...and to give New Zealand something to remember. We've been taking the Magic bus throughout the country side (and believe me, do we look like tourists or what...). It's been a great ride.
The Kiwis are great and I'm slowly learning their ways. For one, Kiwis are very forward. For instance, on the road down here we saw a road sign pointing to "Home for the Confused Elderly." I guess they don't beat around the bush!
In the past two days we've done so much - I've milked a cow. I've climbed heights that take me far beyond my comfort zone (we did a high ropes course...which I expected to be a piece of cake...it's a different story when you're up there, traversing across a bridge with nothing to hold on to.) At the end of the day we took a 60 foot drop on a giant "swing"...which is basically just you, a rope and a harness. But definitely a rush.
We swam in Lake Taupo (which I might add is the clearest lake I've seen in a long time...Taupo is NZ's largest lake and the source of its longest river -the Waikato). It was unbelievable to be standing in, what felt like, the center of everything...with mountains and greenery on all sides.
Today we went zorbing - you strap on your tog (i.e. Kiwi slang for swim suit), leap into this giant squishy ball that is filled with water, and then you're rolled down a hill. I didn't think it was going to be that fun, but I was laughing hysterically the entire time. We also went to a sheep farm, saw some cool stuff...and I milked a cow. Needless to say, I wasn't exactly a champ at the task. It's funny because NZ has farm animals laced throughout its every field and valley. And its so green!
Tonight we're off to the traditional Maori feast, which is called a hangi. They cook our food underground.
New Zealand is everything and so much more than I imagined it to be. All of the Kiwis are so active...basically each of them has mastered several outdoor sports. I'm really starting to realize that New Zealand can be summed up with two words - heartstopping and breathtaking. I've never been more nervous in my life than I have in these past two days (between the high ropes stuff, the giant swing,...watching our bus driver bunjee...zorbing). At the same time, you almost feel that you owe it to New Zealand to try everything because this country is beautiful and diverse beyond words. So as the Kiwis say, Have a go! i.e. just give it a try.