The Swoop

This week I have been traveling south on the North Island to Mercury Bay, Rotorurua and Waitomo.

I have done some kayaking , visited the Polynesian Spa and "swooped".

So what is the Swoop? Three people are packed in a sack and lifted 130 feet in the air and in typical New Zealand style, they drop you and you swing in the air till you stop.

I found some friends from my tour bus to join me. Below is Joanna from Sweden and Derek from Oshawa.

I have a video below thats about 1.5 minutes. I wasn't able to rotate it to make it up right. Its ok, it just adds to the dizzying effect:) Joanna was the one to pull the cord to start the drop, brave girl. I'm the one screaming like a chicken of course. Very scary. You think you are going to hit the ground every time you get close to it. (sorry Dad...I know your scared of hights and don't enjoy seeing me falling form them!)

Kayak trip in Mercury Bay

Paihia & Cape Reinga

I recently visited the Bay of Islands area at the very top of of New Zealand. The weather was amazing and took full advantage of the sun with some new friends. I have been staying at hostels and have been meeting some great gals. During this time I had the company of girls from North Ireland, England, Netherlands, Germany and a guy from Sweden. One of the things I'm enjoying most about this journey is meeting people from other countries.

Here are some photos:
1) View at 6:45am in Pahina
2) Driving down 90 mile beach...and yes, we are driving right on the beach
3) Passing a police car
4) Boarding down a sand dune on a boogie board. Got my exercise in for the day climbing up that dune a couple of times.
5) View of Tasman Sea at Cape Reinga
6) Cape Reinga. This is the most northern point of New Zealand. The current you see is where the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea meet.

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Waiheke Island

About a 35 minute ferry ride from Auckland is a island paradise called Waiheke. The draw from me was discovering their wine region. They are known for producing great Bordeaux blends and are up and coming in Syrah.

I toured some wineries and the island in an organized group. I had the company of a Hematologist from Mac hospital in Hamilton and his family. Can't hurt to know a hemotologist right? Other than wine I also discovered many bay areas, beaches and Waiheke offers a great scene for foodies, artists, musicians....what a place! I'm having thoughts that this might be a good place to work a winery harvest next year...

View of Palm Beach



Gardens of Mudbrick Vineyard



Vineyards at Stonyridge

Update on my where abouts...

Right now I am in Auckland and head north tomorrow to the Bay of Islands. Far away from the quake in Christchurch.

Extreme Hiking

During my time in Taupo (middle of the North island) I went for a hike at Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Or I should call it 'tramping' like the New Zealanders. It is known as the BEST one day hike in NZ. This is no leisurely tramp. Its 19.4 km and with an incline of 2,400 ft! It should take you 7 hours to complete - I did it in 5 hours.  You hike through 2 craters full of barren areas, lots of rock and the vegetation varied throughout. Somehow, the last 4km you hike through a tropical jungle???

The brochure they give you states things like this:

"Please do not walk too close to the edge of the Crater
because if you fall in you will not come out"

"This section is called Devil's Staircase,
you will find out why we call it this when you get there."

"This section can be scary when the winds are strong as you may get pushed around or even find you may need to be on your hands and knees"

....oh yes, I would call this extreme hiking.

Approaching the highest point, (Red Crater) 
the skies were clear and beautiful.
Then.........

.....as you move to the other side of Red Crater,
the clouds start rolling in......

The visibility becomes very minimal and it gets windy and cold!.
Its like being in a horror film when you look behind
and you can barely make out an image in the fog that's coming towards you.
Sorry, this is a quick 360 for those who have weak stomachs.

Christchurch

Hey Everyone....in case you have heard the news there was an earthquake in Christchurch on the South Island today. Thankfully I am safe on the North Island.

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Taupo

I started my backpacking tour with Kiwi Experience and the first stop is Taupo. Its a 6 hour drive from Wellington to the centre of the north island. It is full of options for extreme sports eg. Sky diving, bungie jumping, skiing etc... I briefly thought about the sky diving, but I'm way too chicken.

Lake Taupo is the same size as Singapore!

On my way to the beach I came across this hole in one competition. I haven't hit a ball in ages. Its about a 130 yard shot and my first ball hit the platform. The spectators got a little excited. I didn't get a hole in one but I can tell from the photo that I'm taking the club too far inside - its like looking at my father's swing. Ha! Sorry Dad! Something to work on when I get home.
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