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- NEW ZEALAND -- I'll update this blog as I travel around the North and South islands of the country. The story so far:<br /><br />-- MANUKAU, AUCKLAND --<br /><br />...seeing as I landed here in Auckland NZ on the 28th January, my recollection of events are blurred and incoherent though probably more consise. In any case, the fact that my intended three week stay in NZ has already extended to more than double that time, says much for itself...

Aotearoa - Land of the Long White Cloud

Asha Patel
2006-02-27 19:50:21

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hoisting all 15kgs of crap onto your aching back and moving, moving, moving...

...the next location was Waitomo; where we headed by driving through Waikato. We did get lost but I had little care, for I enjoyed every single bit of kiwi landscape that I am fortunate enough to see. We finally arrived at the virtually non-existent 'town' of Waikato, amused by the horses drawn up by the pub, which the farmers had used to arrive at their glasses of beer. All but for that pub, a lodge and a few cave attractions, there was nothing for miles around. The lodge, was backpacker heaven. I cannot tell you how tempted I was to extend my stay simply for the comforts of a lodge so sparkly clean and new. I shared the room with an Irish biker and a couple of Canadians, all of whom slept early, much to my delight...

...Not wanting to get into a wetsuit but feeling I ought to explore the underground limestone caves, and their glow-worms given that it was the only feature in this town, I opted to go with Karl on the Ruakuri tour. It was good but what I enjoyed most were the scenic hideaways such as: the spectacular Marokopa Falls where gallons of white foam thrashed into the water forming rainbows at its base, or the Redwood Forest with it's magestic tall trees and fresh, damp vegetation... it is these secret luxuries on hidden highroads that I have savoured. The cave expedition was nonetheless made a memorable one thanks to Henry, who persuaded Karl that we jump the safety barriers and explore the slippery slopes in search of Maori burial grounds. Exciting yes, but still, nothing gets my adrenalin pumping better than the natural beauty that NZ boasts. Next on the agenda was the natural bridge of Mangapohue - a 15m limestone arch that bridges the Mangapohue Stream and is the remnant of an underground river channel, the rest of the cave having collapsed and eroded...

-- WAITOMO to TAUPO --

...Ever since I saw my first skydive on Blue ...