My Kiwi Experience part 3: the last of the north island

We set off from Rotorua for a short drive to Te Puia, a geothermal valley home to the southern hemisphere's largest geyser. Apart from the eggy smell which got right into your nostrils and nobody knowing how to pronounce the word 'geyser', it was so cool to see all the mud pools, hot springs and water explosions erupting up to 30 ft above ground. Here, we should also have seen Kiwi birds which I'm desperate to see but they were too busy sleeping so I'm still waiting for that.

We then drove about an hour to Taupo and due to the rubbish weather, everything we intended on doing here (including the crossing) was cancelled so we spent the afternoon playing mini golf. Though you can play this at any tacky coastal resort in England, I had lots of fun and got a hole in one too which was a bonus. 

Next stop was Pac'n'save to load up on beverages for the evening, then back to the hostel for dinner and a few pre drinks before heading out. Another fun, boozy night was had by all, followed by a day spent doing nothing but eating and chilling in the natural hot pools to cure our hangovers. 

We began the day by demolishing a McDonald's but not just any McDonald's. No, this one claims to be the "coolest in the world" because you can eat your carb loaded meal in an airplane. I must admit, though we were the only people above the age of four in there, it was pretty cool.

After wasting most of the day, we finally left at about 5pm to start our half hour trek to the hot pools in the freezing wind and rain. The only thing keeping us going was the fact that we had the hostel dog, Jess, with us. She was the best. Luckily, the pools were SO worth it and it was like jumping into a perfectly heated bath that never cooled down. So, despite all our activities being off because of the weather, I feel we made the most of our time in Taupo.

Two characters we met in Taupo have to be highlighted. The hostel we were at was very friendly so we all sat around a large table drinking. Everyone was lovely though one Chinese guy was rather odd. He managed to offend my friend multiple times in the space of ten minutes by calling her a man and claiming she doesn't look the domestic type and probably can't cook to save her life. Charming! He wouldn't tell us his age either which was somewhat concerning and kept popping up out of nowhere all night - random. In the middle of the night he sat up suddenly and stared for ages in my direction, I was so scared (and slightly drunk), I was inwardly screaming. 

Another mention has to go to Ashley. Ashley was Italian with the strongest Geordie accent I think I've ever heard and the least Italian name. His accent was so northern English that I didn't believe he was from Italy at all and kept making him speak in Italian to prove he knew the language. A totally pointless thing to do seeing as I don't speak it, but it was so bizarre hearing him speak in English and I'm still not convinced. Mind blowing. 

Next stop was River Valley where there was quite literally a river, a valley and nothing else. We had another delicious roast dinner which we washed down with a few jugs of cider. The sun was shining the following day so we could go for a walk among the beautiful scenery before heading to Wellington, our last stop in the north island and the capital of New Zealand. 

I've just made this walk sound peaceful and relaxing - it was far from that. Firstly, we had to get across the river in twos on a rickety plank which stopped in the middle so you had to pull yourselves along a rope the rest of the way. Then came the hour climb, I wouldn't even call it a walk. The pathways were questionable, steep and there were a few land/rock slides along the way which we had to jump carefully over so that we didn't fall to our deaths. Despite the risk of the group pictures we took being the last pictures of us ever, we survived and after lunch were on our way to Wellington.

We intended on having a chilled and dry first night here, but a few of our friends from our previous bus weren't leaving until the next day so we had to go for drinks with them after our free dinner (music to backpacker's ears). As always, a few drinks turned into heaps and we stumbled home at 3am. 

Our stay  in the capital city involved a bit too much drinking, way too much eating, an afternoon at the museum, a cable car ride to the botanic gardens, a dry and sunny walk up mount Victoria, winning a shot and jug of beer at inappropriate bingo which didn't help the hangover or intentions to have "just a couple" and a rugby match, mostly to scout out the fit men in shorts. 

Sad to leave a few of our wonderful friends behind, we catch the ferry to the south island tomorrow and I have massively high hopes for this part of the trip because I've heard the scenery is unbelievable, even more so than the north and I've been pretty impressed so far. Stay tuned!

Things I've learnt:

-'Redwood' is a tree (I realised this after being at 'Redwood Forest' for 45 minutes)

-kiwi birds are land birds and have no wings

-Geothermal stuff stinks

-I need to practice my lock control. I keep getting locked in shower rooms/ toilets and locked out of hostel rooms

-even when the weather cancels all your plans you can have lots of fun

-despite the weather, New Zealand is stunning

-getting excited about doing your washing is a backpacker essential

-shivering warms you up (discovered after 22 years of existence)

-friends you meet travelling are friends for life