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Date: May 28, 2004
Location: Rotorua, New Zealand
Once again, I take electronic pen in hand to update you as to my
whereabouts
and adventures. When I last left you, I was in Rotorua, home of the greatest volume of
geothermal activity on the island, the city where nearly every home has a
natural hot tub built in.
while there, we took a gondola ride to the top of a mountain and did a
few
luge races to the bottom, speeding in tiny sledges along steep, narrow,
concrete paths cut into the mountain side. Then back up to the top of the
mountain on chair lifts to repeat the process. The highlight of this
afternoon
was strapping myself into a giant swing suspended between giant pillars
with
two fellow adventurers, and being slowly winched up to a height of about
60
feet above the Earth, then pulling a lever and taking a long, free-falling
swing out and over the side of the mountain. Quite exhilarating, I must
tell
you.
Then it was down the mountain and off to a tour of a traditional Maori
village, and it's accompanying hot springs, geysers, and mud pits, before
driving at last to our evening's accommodation, another delightful hostel
where Ryan, Mark and I checked into our little 3-man room - actually
designed
for 4 people, with 2 beds below, and a little upstairs with 2 more beds,
which
I ended up having to myself. Off to the hot tub for a long soak in good
company, cold cider in hand, hot water up to one's neck, and the company
of
lovely girls. What more could a man ask for? Just one small thing, but.
Time will tell, I suppose.
At any rate, afterwards, we headed to a traditional hangi dinner with some
of
the local Maori, where we got a chance to pose for pictures and try our
hand
at the haka, for the men, and poi twirling for the ladies. Not really all
that
impressive, really, but a fun dinner with our tour group - then it was
back to
the hostel bar to watch Queensland versus New South Wales in a rugby
league
match, lots more drinking, good chemistry with one or two of the
Australian
lasses. Quite a good evening, and a great conclusion to the day.
Next morning, it was off to Lake Taupo, the Huka Falls, and of course,
what
adventure would be complete without a stop by the Agrodome to do see a
little
sheep-shearing and play with puppies and lambs?
Well, I suppose those are stories for another time. Posting this note off
now,
and wishing you all a very wonderful weekend.
- Edward
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