Sweet As!

Alright, I've titled this post "Sweet as" because Kiwis (New Zealanders) say it all the time. And New Zealand definitely was sweet as. That being said, here's episode 2: New Zealand, in sequential order (I'm getting better at this blogging thing!) and complete with some excerpts from my journal.

• Green EV.ER.Y.WHERE.
• Cathedral Cove

"After lunch we took a short drive over to this place called Cathedral Cove. We had to walk about half an hour to get there but holy fire, it was worth it. It was seriously one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen.... The beach had gorgeous sand that when you looked closely has pink in it. The cove was so gorgeous and peaceful, I could have stayed there for hours and hours. I absolutely loved it."

The pictures do NOT do this place justice

• Whirinaki Forest (pronouned Firinaki)

"The hike to our cabin was 10 miles long and was seriously stunning. There are times in it when there is just green, trees and bushes as far as your eye can see on either side of you and the trail is the only brown and it's this little sliver with moss growing up to it on both sides and you feel almost like an intruder. Then there are times when there is a steep mountain going up on one side and down on the other and you're walking on a tiny edge with the rushing river below you. So beautiful."

Our whole group before heading out on our backpacking trip

•  Marae stay (Maori village)

"When we got to the Marae we had to stand outside the compound and wait for someone to call us on to the compound and then we went through a whole welcoming ritual where an Elder of the village named Basil spoke and welcomed us to the village....Then we all had to go in a line and greet each of the villagers, shaking their hands and touching foreheads and noses (which is called the Hongi). Definitely a new experience, but so cool. Just everything about it was symbolic and touching...Basil told us to make ourselves at home because we are part of the village now. How sweet is that?"

Me and Neeley with one of the elders of the village, Basil

•  Bungee Jumping!

•  My sweet burst blood vessel (see above)

•  Glowworm walk

Rachael, Emma, Kate, Me, Sharon, Kaye, Alli, Sam, Isaac

•  Black water rafting

"We went and changed into our gear which included a peasant top that we were convinced was a sick joke until we got into the water and it became our best friend. We were also wearing wet suits and boots and helmets with lights on them - a sight to behold....Then we headed off to the cave. It was seriously so cool. There were glowworms everywhere on the roof of the cave. Sometimes they just looked like stars in the sky because it was so dark and the glowworms were so bright. We got to float down the river and jump backwards down the waterfall which was sweet. Sometimes when we were floating everyone just got really quiet and it was really peaceful. It's really hard to describe but the whole thing was so much fun, a highlight of the trip for sure. We were talking today about how it would be so hard to describe to someone who hadn't done it because you can't do it justice. But seriously, so fun."

Back row: Kaye, Rachael, Neeley, Drew, Kate, Sam, Ryan, Brad Front Row: Kiersten, Ally, Me, Sharon

•  Hamilton Temple

Kiersten, Katie, Kate, Julie, Ally, Me, Sarah

•  Raglan beach

Sarah, Me