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It’s been two weeks since the last entry and A LOT has happened since then. I didn’t want to waste time writing while my parents were still here, so now that they’ve gone (bad times) I shall try and recollect the last two weeks (good times).Even though Asia was a whole lot warmer than NZ we’ve been surprised by the warm weather and how long the days stay light. In Asia it was in the high 20s everyday, but here we have had sunlight from 6am until 9pm which makes a really nice change.
The landscape has been spectacular and I think both of us have fallen in love with the towering mountains matched with the most unbelievable blue lakes.
We all flew into Auckland and began our journey north to the Bay of Islands. Here we came to Pahia for a spot of dolphin watching and swimming. I had done some dolphin swimming on my last adventure in New Zealand; it 
involved us chasing a large pod and then jumping in the freezing water. To catch their attention we had to spin around making noises through our snorkels, very amusing to watch from the boat – 30 snorkelers splashing and flailing all whilst trumpeting and trying not to drown.
involved us chasing a large pod and then jumping in the freezing water. To catch their attention we had to spin around making noises through our snorkels, very amusing to watch from the boat – 30 snorkelers splashing and flailing all whilst trumpeting and trying not to drown. That was in Kaikoura one of our future destinations. Unfortunately in Pahia there are strict rules about swimming with the dolphins; one being no one was allowed into the water when there was a baby around. This is because they
feed so regularly that if we were to dive in and distract them, they might miss a few feeds and not recover. Unfortunately this was the case for us, one of the little buggers was spotted in the water so no swimming for us, but like I said our next stop is Kaikoura so hopefully we can get into the water there.
feed so regularly that if we were to dive in and distract them, they might miss a few feeds and not recover. Unfortunately this was the case for us, one of the little buggers was spotted in the water so no swimming for us, but like I said our next stop is Kaikoura so hopefully we can get into the water there. Our next stop along the northern most tip of New Zealand was 90 mile beach; exactly what it says on the 
tin (although 90 kilometres is more accurate.) This beach is so expansive that cars could drive 5 abreast and still be fine. We drove in our 4x4 and didn’t have much trouble (apart from the large log that Dad “didn’t see!”)
tin (although 90 kilometres is more accurate.) This beach is so expansive that cars could drive 5 abreast and still be fine. We drove in our 4x4 and didn’t have much trouble (apart from the large log that Dad “didn’t see!”) We also made it to the geographically (although not
actual) most northern point of New Zealand; Cape Reinga. Here you could see the clash of the titans; where the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean meet and on stormy days these waves can reach up to 10m. We also enjoyed a spot of sand boarding; an idiotic sport achieving a high consumption of sand and burnt feet. In the Te Paki Recreational Reserve there are incredibly scenic (incredibly high) white sand dunes. Me, Soph and Holly grabbed a body board and ascended to the top of these slopes. Here we slid down using our feet as both a steering wheel and brakes, very exhilarating and scary sport.
actual) most northern point of New Zealand; Cape Reinga. Here you could see the clash of the titans; where the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean meet and on stormy days these waves can reach up to 10m. We also enjoyed a spot of sand boarding; an idiotic sport achieving a high consumption of sand and burnt feet. In the Te Paki Recreational Reserve there are incredibly scenic (incredibly high) white sand dunes. Me, Soph and Holly grabbed a body board and ascended to the top of these slopes. Here we slid down using our feet as both a steering wheel and brakes, very exhilarating and scary sport. This part of North Island we found was highly populated with
the Maoris and their traditions and beliefs. In the Waipoua National Forest we saw Tane Mahuta (God of the Forest) a massive tree with a height of 18m. These once extensive Kauri trees are sacred in Maori Cosmology and from their sheer presence you can see why. We also saw Te Mahua Ngahere (Father of the Forest) although not as tall as Tan Mahuta was over 16m in girth; take 8 people holding hands in a circle to get a slight idea… In the picture you should be able to see my Dad in the bottom right of the picture to get an idea of scale.After our jaunt in the North Island we flew down to Queenstown; extreme adventure capital of the world. It is the site of the world’s first commercial bungy (where I did mine four years ago) and two other’s including the 134m
high Nevis Highwire. After a scenic ride up a hill side Gondola we threw ourselves down the Luge track on slightly modified go carts. IMG_3139 There are only three countries with Luge tracks in the world; New Zealand, Singapore and Canada…two down one to go!
high Nevis Highwire. After a scenic ride up a hill side Gondola we threw ourselves down the Luge track on slightly modified go carts. IMG_3139 There are only three countries with Luge tracks in the world; New Zealand, Singapore and Canada…two down one to go!As a continuation of the action yet to come in South Island we moved to Shot Over Canyon to ride at 80km/hr down a narrow canyon on a “Shotover Jet”, narrowly avoiding the sides and doing 360 degrees turns along the way!
Another day, another long drive for Dad took us to Franz Joseph and beautiful glacier country. 
Complete with waterproofs, walking boots and crampons we set on a 4 hour hike up the glacier with a guide. Following freshly cut steps made by our guide and a pick axe we wound are way up the glacier taking in the valley and rainforest views – it is one of two places in the world where you can do this. The glacier was spectacular and a really worth while climb.
We moved onto Greymouth were me, Dad, Holly and Sophie we let loose on 300 acres of land with four 600cc quad bikes. After a brief introduction/lesson and donned on gumboots, waterproof trousers and hairnets (apparently for hat hygiene?!) We headed off though large puddles and didn’t get stuck once!
Complete with waterproofs, walking boots and crampons we set on a 4 hour hike up the glacier with a guide. Following freshly cut steps made by our guide and a pick axe we wound are way up the glacier taking in the valley and rainforest views – it is one of two places in the world where you can do this. The glacier was spectacular and a really worth while climb.We moved onto Greymouth were me, Dad, Holly and Sophie we let loose on 300 acres of land with four 600cc quad bikes. After a brief introduction/lesson and donned on gumboots, waterproof trousers and hairnets (apparently for hat hygiene?!) We headed off though large puddles and didn’t get stuck once!
Me and Sophie had a brief fling with some horses in Punakaiki, Sopie’s horse CB (Charlie Brown) should really have been called CC (Copy Cat) as he just did exactly what the horse in front did. I had a part Arab scaredy cat, who wouldn’t cross bridges but when it came to galloping on the beach left the others for dust.
In Hanmer Springs me and Sophie got back on bikes of two wheeled var
iety (without a engine I hasten to add!) Dad loved getting back on his bike after being 
snowed in for three weeks back in England. After an energetic cycle we headed to the natural hot springs what Hanmer is famous for and moved from spring water of 25 degrees to sulphur smelling baths of 42 degrees (didn’t stay in them for long) .
iety (without a engine I hasten to add!) Dad loved getting back on his bike after being 
snowed in for three weeks back in England. After an energetic cycle we headed to the natural hot springs what Hanmer is famous for and moved from spring water of 25 degrees to sulphur smelling baths of 42 degrees (didn’t stay in them for long) .Apologies for such a quick round up, we have done so much in such a short space of time that it’s hard to pu
t it all down in this blog. We are so thankful for spending time with Mum and Dad, it has been incredible, in an amazing part of the world. They now have begun there 5 flight conquest back to Yorkshire and we now have over a month of New Zealand left to fill. We have booked a camper van for the three of us for 3 weeks which should be great. Surfing in the nearby beach is first on the cards and then onto Kaikoura for a spot of dolphin swimming. Sophie is planning to fly over to Melbourne to see a new Aussie arrival for a couple of weeks.
So over and out from Car-ie, I’ve changed my name its not in keeping with the Sophie/Holly combo. Also Amy, Lucy, Holly….Cara – what went on there?!
xx
t it all down in this blog. We are so thankful for spending time with Mum and Dad, it has been incredible, in an amazing part of the world. They now have begun there 5 flight conquest back to Yorkshire and we now have over a month of New Zealand left to fill. We have booked a camper van for the three of us for 3 weeks which should be great. Surfing in the nearby beach is first on the cards and then onto Kaikoura for a spot of dolphin swimming. Sophie is planning to fly over to Melbourne to see a new Aussie arrival for a couple of weeks.So over and out from Car-ie, I’ve changed my name its not in keeping with the Sophie/Holly combo. Also Amy, Lucy, Holly….Cara – what went on there?!
xx
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