| New Zealand Four Seasons in One Day! Dec.2001/Jan2002 |
| Despite the daily rain, except Christmas Day I had a wonderful time exploring New Zealand. I managed to do so many things and see so much. I even managed to extend my family and collect some new relatives, who really looked after me. The new middle earth is a a great place! |
| I managed to satisfy some of my adrenalin cravings while travelling about. I seemed to spend alot of time in a wet suit I have concluded that rubber isn't my thing dry or wet look. For my christmas present my brother paid for me to jump out of a plane, luckily he paid for a parachute as well. 45 Seconds freefall from 12,000-5,000 feet was quite exciting if a little chilly on the teeth. I don't know that I will ever do it again but it was an experience and the views across Lake Taupo were fantastic. |
| I tried a number of other activities and I can honestly say white water rafting is addictive, I loved it. (But I haven't fallen out yet and nearly drowned.) Black water rafting was also good fun. The caves of gloworms were incredible but the water was a little cold. Quad biking was probably the most physically challenging, my thighs were killing me after an hour gripping the bike. I fulfilled a lifetime ambition and went swimming with dolphins, hundreds of them within reach. Amazing and they really did seem to like my teletubbies impression I did to attract their attention. Zorbing was interesting, I now know how a hamster feels when you make it run around in a plastic ball. What will those Kiwis think of next. |
| New Zealand is a beautiful country of extremes, some days it really did feel like we had gone through all four seasons. I took a helicopter ride up to one of the glaciers and looked out to a very inviting sea, quite bizarre. I really enjoyed the scenery and the variety of animals and plants. The lakes were clean and blue and the rivers crystal clear, quite a contrast to Bangladesh. (As were the hills and mountains as we don't have any here!) I did the cultural thing to, okay so I just wanted to ogle the men doing the Haka but that is semi-cultural! |
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