School is gotten so busy recently that I have not had the opportunity to update my blog. This is going to come in a couple installments because so much time has passed and I would be sitting here for hours if I did it all at once.
The first week of mid-semester break was nice and relaxing. Erin was down on the South Island until that Thursday, so I had some serious time to catch up on work and sleep. I used that Monday-Thursday to get some reading done for my politics and education classes, as well as complete an assignment due after the break. I was able to Skype with Tina for her birthday which was amazing, and got to see her face when she went to one of our favorite juice bars and found a drink pre-ordered from me as a birthday present! She was so excited!
Erin and her dad arrived in Auckland on Thursday...Erin from the South Island and her dad from Los Angeles. On Friday they picked me up that night and we all went out to dinner at a delicious Sushi restaurant called Gion in Parnell. I've never been a big fan of raw fish, but I got up the guts to try their spicy tuna hand roll...soo good! We all ordered the teriyaki salmon for dinner which came with rice, salad, and an incredible avocado paste. This was probably one of the best dinners I have ever had. After dinner we went to Movenpick for some Swiss gelato, and then headed back to the Hyatt (where Erin's dad was staying) to indulge in their incredible spa. We soaked in the jacuzzi and relaxed in the steam room and sauna. What a perfect way to end the night! We had a roll-away bed brought into the hotel room so that I could stay the night because it was so late :)
The next morning (Saturday) we all went down to the farmers market by the Britomart Train Station, had delicious pastries, and relaxed in the sunshine. After that we parted ways, I went home and Erin and her dad went to Waiheke Island for the day. When they got home we all got dressed up and went to dinner on the Viaduct at a beautiful restaurant called Cin Cin on Quay. That night there was a Carol King and James Taylor concert at Vector Arena...sooo wish I could have gone!!! We drank wine, enjoyed the view and each others company, and had delicious risotto :) Another amazing evening!
Sunday morning we all got up nice and early, ate breakfast at the Hyatt, and headed off to Waitomo. The drive was long, about 3 1/2 hours, but we all were so excited about the day that it didn't really matter. When we finally arrived at our destination the excitement was impossible to contain! Waitomo Caves Black Water Rafting!! The guides suited us up in thick wetsuits, plastic booties and super socks, head lamps and long sleeve waterproof vests. We could hardly move but at least we were warm! Next, we drove up the hill to this lazy river where they fitted us with inner tubes and had us jump off a platform backwards into the river with our butts shoved into the doughnut hole of the innertube...can you say attractive?! haha The water was FREEZING! We drove up the road a bit further and then hiked down a hill in what looked like a rainforest to the entrance to the cave. We walked in and my breath was quickly taken away. The rock formations in the caves were spectacular! The room we entered into was relatively small, but as soon as we kept walking, the ceiling opened up and we were in a huge cavern. Oh...I forgot to mention that there is a huge RIVER running through the cave...hence the black water rafting :) This adventure was a mix between walking across the rocks, walking through the river, and sitting in our innertubes riding down the river. There were even a couple instances where we had to jump of ledges backwards into the water to get to the next spot...nerve-wracking! The best part of the whole trip was seeing the glow worms in the caves! These creatures are absolutely spectacular! Floating down the river in one long line of innertubes looking at the glowing ceiling above us was an experience beyond compare. It was so peaceful and beautiful. I really didn't want it all to end :) Once we got back to their headquarters they gave us warm tomato soup and bagels...I literally could not feel my fingers or toes. This was truly an experience to remember forever!
On the drive home from Waitomo I received one of the best text message ever...my little sister Jillian wrote to me saying that she is coming to visit me in New Zealand after her high school graduation!!! I am excited beyond words!! I cannot wait to take her around this beautiful country and show her my temporary home! Waitomo will definitely be one of our stop on our adventure! :)
Another update coming very soon...
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