Scuba Diving
So I've been on the East Coast of Australia now for not quite a week, but we've done so much it seems so much longer than that.
Since we were in Cairns (when I say we, I refer to my brother, Kevin, and myself) we had to go out to the Great Barrier Reef. There are so many companies and boats that can take you out there it is important to do your research so you get the one that you want. We opted for paying a little more cash to get a smaller boat and go to the outer reef. The weather was poor, windy and rainy, which didn't really matter since we were under and on the water anyways. Diving was a neat experience, so much different than snorkeling since you are right there among the coral and fish, instead of looking down from above. There was this one fish that I can't remember what it was called, but it was about 5-6ft long and 3 ft high. It came up to some people, such as Kevin, and he petted it. The dive itself lasted for about 30 minutes and we went down 10 meters. I could see myself doing more scuba diving if I lived in a place where the water is warm and there's cool stuff to see in the water.
The boat ride back from the 2nd dive site (we dove at the first one and snorkeled at both dive sites) was interesting as it was quite choppy and windy, not good for one girl on the boat who was feeling ill, but entertaining for us who weren't.
Surfing Capital of Oz
Have you heard of Bells Beach? The RipCurl Pro Classic that occurs over Easter each year? Bells Beach is in a place called Torquay, which is where we were for the past two days. Checking out the swell forecast, it seemed that it was to be 10ft. Now when measuring waves in Aussie terms you usually double it to what regular people say. So if you see the face of a wave and a 6 ft dude is riding it at the bottom and there's 4ft of wave above him, that you would think would be a 10ft wave. Actually that would be considered 5ft. Needless to say we didn't go to Bells, since it was a huge day. Instead we went to Torquay beach where it was 5ft. And I found out just how poor a surfer I really am. Surfing the mush in Oregon is nothing compared to here. The pure volume of water that comes at you when the wave breaks is incredible. I got pummelled a few times, did a sommersault under the water, yet still had a good time, having some decent rides.
New Zealand Pics
Now I'm almost done here in kiwiland, its been fun, but I think its time to move on. I did so much in the first few days here, its hard to believe that I've been here over a week already. So since I have the time and the capabilities, why not post more pictures? Sweet-as. That's a New Zealand expression, and no its not sweet-ass, its different.
One of the first places we stopped, a place called cathedral cove. The limestone had some neat formations.
If there was something I noticed about New Zealand, it was the lack of flatness and abundance of rolling green hills with sheep or cows on them.
A furry bunny and me. This guy will get shaved in a couple of days and they use the fur to make wool and stuff. He sure was soft and fluffy.
Fireworks. Do you know who Guy Forkes (I don't know if I spelled that right or not) is? I didn't until November 5. Apparently way back when, as in 400 years ago, he tried to blow up the British parliament by placing a whole bunch of explosives in the catacombs beneath it. However he was caught before he could do it so they burned him at the stake. Now Britain and some of its colonies celebrate Guy Forkes Day by having a huge pyre (this one was started with a teepee of wood about 15 feet tall) and then throwing a dummy on it - supposed to be Guy Forkes. Then they have this big fireworks display which is supposed to represent the explosives that didn't go off under parliament. We were in a small town of Whitianga and they had this impressive for a small town fireworks display on the beach.
An example of thermal activity. Just some random spot in a park where hot steam was bubbling up through the mud. There were lots of these holes in the park, some with mud, some just empty except for steam, others filled with steaming water. It was quite intriguing.
Some Maori dancers giving us a concert.
Getting ready to go skydive, my do I look handsome!
Mt. Doom.
Being in a volcanic crater is very cool. Especially with the snow. Haha lame I know.
One of three emerald lakes on the Tongariro Crossing.
Well I think that's enough pictures for now. Maybe when I get some Australian ones I'll post those.
Memories of Fiji
Hey Folks so I found a computer that allows me to edit my pictures so I can make them small enough to put up here on the internet for all to see and be envious of me at the beach. So lets start with Fiji.
This one is of the first place I stayed. That big rock in the background you have an awesome view of the surrounding area as you will see.
This is the neighbouring island, Kuata, as seen from the top of Wayalailai.
Looking down on the resort from the top. You can see the reef where I went snorkeling.
The sunset from the top of the rock, I think it was called vatuvula or something.
The view from my favourite hammock. I logged a lot of hours in that hammock.
The second evening I was drinking kava. Mmmm. The memories.
One of many waterfalls I checked out while hiking through Colo-i-suva Forest Park.
A friend I met at the Beachouse, Marc, as we were climbing up this waterfall.
A couple more beach shots for good measure.
I forgot how nice it was over there in Fiji. Now I'm looking forward even more to going to the beach in Australia.
Through Mordor
Yesterday I trekked through the desolate wasteland of Mordor, beside the ominous Mt. Doom. We went on a hike called the Tongariro Crossing which passes through Tongariro National Park which is where parts of Mordor was filmed for LOTR.
It was an excellent hike and definitely worth getting up at 5:15 to do. The thing I first noticed was that there was no vegetation over a couple inches on the entire hike (except for the last little bit). We started off with an overcast sky, but the weather did improve on and off during the day. The clouds were constantly moving, revealing and hiding Mt. Doom and the other surrounding Mountains. I would call Mt.Doom by its real name if I could spell it - Ngogonthe or something. As it is spring over here, the mountains still had snow on them, in striped pattern which made it even more interesting. Its hard to explain the landscape and why this hike was so good, only through being there can you understand it.
At the summit of the hike, if you were cold you could sit on the ground which was heated by thermal activity. That was neat, in addition to the wavering steam rising from cracks in some of the craters. This hike is probably one of my favourite hikes.
Freefalling
I've heard that a common dream that people have is that they are falling and falling, and then they wake up before they hit the ground. I've never had that dream.
But I have been falling and falling at over 180km/hr from a height of 12000ft though. Yes I went skydiving when I was in Taupo. It was an interesting experience and I'm glad that I did it. So here's how it went down.
There were about 20 or so of us from the Kiwi bus that were going skydiving which kind of sucked which meant that we had to wait a long time since only 6 could go up in the plane at a time, but it was also good since we all sort of knew eachother so we could talk about it and stuff.
So I was excited about this sky dive the whole day and was rather disappointed that the weather was kind of overcast when we arrived in Taupo. I was surprised at this, as I figured I would be nervous and wishing the weather to be poor so it would be cancelled. The fact is I didn't actually feel nervous until we were up at 12,000ft and the door opened. I don't understand how my body works and how it gets so worked up over some little things, yet the thought of jumping out of a plane doesn't faze it.
Anyways, when the door opened there wasn't really any time to think about it as the skydiver strapped to my back (actually it was probably more correct to say that I was strapped to his chest) was moving towards the door and jumped out and I didn't have to do anything. It is quite a feeling falling extremely fast for 45 seconds from 12000 to 5000ft. Especially when you fall into a cloud. That was unfortunate since I couldn't see the ground anymore, but it did feel unusual as the cloud was going up my nose. Just as I think I was getting use to falling, the parachute opened and we were slower. But we were in a cloud so it was hard to tell which direction was down. Eventually we came out of the cloud and had a great view of the lake and the surrounding farmland. The landing went very smoothly.
So I've gone skydiving. Thinking back it doesn't seem that exciting - perhaps because it was over so quickly. I much rather go tubing underground in a cave full of glowing maggots.
Blackwater Rafting
My time in NZ is so much faster paced than in Fiji - I have done so much in the short time that I've been here.
In this little town of 100 people there are this vast network of underground limestone caves. Many of them have water flowing through them, so of course some people would want to go tubing through them. That is essentially what blackwater rafting is. You don a thick wetsuit, some lovely overshorts, white boots and a hard hat with a light on it. And of course an inner tube. Then you head into the caves.
I had so much fun at this place, it is definitely a highlight of my trip so far. One of the first things we had to do once in the cave was to pass through this low part. This required lying perfectly flat on your tube so you can fit through this section which had a 1 to 2 ft clearance from the top of the water. That was probably the most difficult part of the whole thing. The water that we floated down had a current but no rapids. Where the rapids were it was too shallow so we walked through them. We did have to jump backwards off two waterfalls though (1ft and 4ft drop).
The cave formations were not spectacular, but they were cool - I just think caves are cool anyways. But there were glowworms in these caves. So at one point we all turned off our lights as we were floating and the roof of the cave was lit up like the night sky out in the country, but with green stars instead of white. It was quite impressive. It was the maggot poo that was glowing. At one point there were no glowworms so we were just floating in complete blackness.
I recommend this activity for anyone who likes caves and likes water (even cold water). Primo.
Impressions of Fiji
Well I arrived in Auckland this morning. Wow, what a difference from Fiji. Auckland is just like North America, from the quality of the internet connection, to the buildings and people, the cars, and to the food. Fiji is so much poorer. The cars are older, the buildings all have corrugated steel roofs and many are cinder blocks. The lifestyle is a lot more laid back than here and at home. You often see people just sitting around, outside stores, etc. Everything runs on Fiji Time - that is, it happens when the person in charge is ready. It took a couple days to get to used to, but then its fine, its not like I had a pressing schedule while I was over there. I like Fiji - not to live there, but as a visiting place. I would definitely go back again for a holiday. Going back I would spend all my time in the islands, instead of the mainland. I don't regret going to the mainland, but once you've seen it, the islands are much better.
It's kind of nice being here in Auckland since it is a decent temperature. Last night in Nadi (Fiji) it was so hot, just sitting still it felt like I was sweating. But like everything else, you just accept it and don't let it bother you.
Meetin People
So I just finished staying at the Beachouse, this backpacker resort place. The beach was second rate as I read, but it was still okay and they had a hammock between two palm trees.
The best part of the beachouse was the central area where everyone gathered and could just hang out and talk. There were a lot of English people and Canadians there. I quite enjoy meeting new people. I have to go catch the bus now.
Edit:
Now I'll finish this post now that I have more time. If you're travelling by yourself than hostelling is the way to go, otherwise you would get lonely not having people to talk to. Some hostels promote socializing (I was going to put socialism, but then decided that wasn't the right word) more than others, it mainly depends on their location and the quality of their communal area.
At the beachouse I met this bloke from Brisbane Australia on a hike, and after that we did a few things together. That was cool that I found someone who wanted to do the same things as I did. In the past I just did what I wanted, no matter if I was alone or not.
I'm going on the Kiwi Experience Bus in NZ, so we'll see how conducive that is to meeting people.
Cheers.
