livin large...

Hello from the west coast! Mom and I are heading back to Christchurch this afternoon and then are off to Auckland! We have spent the last three days on the west coast near Greymouth, Hokitika and Franz Josef. A couple of days ago, after staying the night in a B&B, we decided we were in need of pampering on the coast, so we found a room with a view and have been living it up since then. Yesterday, we drove to the Franz Josef Glacier and had a look around. Now, when the glacier finally disappears, we can say we were there... We're sad to be leaving the coast, but it's just about time to board that horrifically long flight home! Time has flown by and we're sad to be leaving, but can't wait to see all of you! Hope all is well!

gone so soon??

Where does the time go anyway? In just a few short days, I will be saying my goodbyes at Havelock North High School and heading to the South Island with Peter for two weeks of holiday (as well as meeting up with my mum**that's right- they say mum here**about halfway through those two weeks). After that, it's home for me. I can't believe how fast this has all gone. I also can't believe that I've kept up with this blog...I'm actually patting myself on the back as I'm typing this. I hope you have all enjoyed reading it as much as I have enjoyed updating it! I'm sad to be leaving NZ, but am so excited to see all of your lovely faces again! For the complete history of my trip, you will be required to purchase one cup of coffee and sacrifice at least one hour of your day. :) Just kidding! But seriously, I will add more stories and pictures when I get home in the end of April so you don't have to buy me a cup of coffee if you don't want to...

Oh and by the way, I'm looking for summer work, so if any of you hear of something that's available, just let me know! I hope you have all had a wonderful winter!

Rotorua...finally

When asked what I did in Rotorua, I cannot help but use the words of my darling friend Tyler: What didn’t I do in Rotorua? Here’s the thing about this place. It is a tourist trap! Every single thing is targeted to people with moolah to spend. So, two days and $200 later, I saw the museum, two parks with boiling mud, geysers and steaming lakes, a Kiwi, and I bathed I nmineral pools at the Polynesian Spa. It was loads of fun! I have put up four pictures- one is a lake called Devil’s Bath because of its bright green color (due to high levels of sulphur and minerals), one is the bluest lake I have ever seen, there is a photo of a steaming lake called Champagne Lake and one of boiling mud (although it just looks like a picture of steam).

So, here’s a bit of Maori legend for you…

Over 100 years ago, white people came to Rotorua as tourists. The Maori people quickly learned the value of the dollar and began tours, entrance fees, etc.

One day, while giving a canoe tour across the lake, a Maori woman was startled to see a war canoe pass by. Everyone in the touring canoe saw it but the Maori woman did not recognize any of the warriors. The woman screamed out, having seen one of the heads of the warriors turn into a snarling dog. Then, with no warning, the canoe slowly vanished into the fog.

Alarmed by what she saw, she went to the leader of her tribe and asked what the vision had meant. He informed her that he gods were displeased with the way the Maori’s were living and the amount of white people coming to Rotorua. He knew punishment was on the way.

A short time later, a loud rumble woke the entire town. Hot lava began to spew from the hilltops and in a matter of hours, over 100 people were dead and the town was destroyed.

It didn’t take long for the local Maori’s and investors to rebuild this volcanic town. But, even in modern times, tourists and locals alike are reminded of the unstable ground where they walk by the steaming lakes and hot pools scattered throughout the city.

There ya have it. Rotorua is a weird place! Beautiful, but slightly eerie.

Boiling Mud??

Hello everyone! I've just returned from a three-day weekend in Rotorua and it was fabulous! It is a volcanic area and is actually built in the crater of an active volcano! Crazy! It's a little unsettling to think about while there... I have many stories to tell, but no time to tell them, so here are some pictures for now! I hope all is well! (oh, and the picture of the mud puddle is actually the world's largest boiling mud puddle. cool, huh?)

Have a great day!!

more of Wellington

The photo of the city is taken from the Botanic Gardens in Wellington. I took about a hundred pictures from there because it was so stunning! The other picture is in the Wildlife Sanctuary just outside of Wellington...there were a lot of trees and birds there...

Wellie!

These are photos from Wellington. The statues are right on the waterfront and the other photo is of Cook Strait from the backside of Te Papa...

Swimming Sports!