Visit New Zealand, if you're into it

When I got off my Aerolineas Argentinas flight to Auckland, I glided through passport control and customs (I'm a pro) and met Maurice at the door of the airport as he was holding a sign with my name on it. Let me inform you that I arranged to stay with Maurice and Linda free of charge after writing a letter to the Mountainside Lutheran Church in Auckland. I learned that converting money loses me money so I spent all of my Australian dollars in Australia. The dollar was doing a little better in NZ, at about $0.75NZ to $1USD.

Maurice drove me from the airport to his home in Mt. Wellington - an suburb area named after the dormant volcanic cone that is nearby. It was late afternoon when we arrived at the house, and when I entered the house I met his wife Linda who showed me around and informed me that supper would be served soon. I dropped my stuff inside my room and talked with Maurice and Linda about what I could possibly do during my week. After coming up with a basic plan of what to do, we had dinner. A first round of soup, followed by corned beef and vegetables, finished by fruit for dessert. It was delicious. We watched the evening news while we ate supper, and over the week I followed stories about Tony Veitch's assault and pay-off of his girlfriend 2 years ago, NZ politics, and other NZ stories. NZ is currently in political season, and since they passed a law forbidding anybody to advertise and campaign until closer to the election, some heated yet not blatant verbal-jousting could be seen in the news. After dinner I went for a walk around the neighborhood and went to sleep early.

When I woke up the next day, I was greeted with a breakfast of porage, toast, and coffee. I walked to the bus stop and took a 30 minute bus ride to the city center. There I explored and snapped some photos, and met with a woman at a tourist office to discuss possible day trips. When she let me know about the Zorb option, I took it in a heartbeat. The rest of the day involved me walking around the city looking for souvenirs. I put off buying souvenirs for a lot of people because I didn't want to haul them with me from all around the world. I did lots of exploring of the city, but nothing notable to talk about here. I took the bus home, watched some NZ Wheel of Fortune, and had supper with Maurice, Linda, and their son Peter. It was soup, fish, potatoes, slaw, and fruit for dessert. After a tea I headed to bed because my big day trip left downtown Auckland at 7:30am.

When I woke up the sun was not up. I showered and had breakfast with Linda and Maurice. Maurice lent me a coat because all I had was my blue jacket, and it was quite cold out that day. I headed out the door and down the street to the bus stop, rode the bus, and arrived downtown all before the sun was up. It was winter so the days are very short. I got to watch the sunrise at the ferry terminal in Auckland, which was cool to see it rise over the water. As the frost melted off the cars, I boarded the bus and headed off for my event-packed day trip in Rotorua.

The first stop the bus made was at the Waitomo Caves. Some people headed off to go Black Water Rafting underground in the caves. I was a bit jealous, but I guess it gives me something to want to do when I return. I went with the rest of the people to the glowworm caves. We walked around for a bit inside and took a boat through a terribly dark section where you could see the millions of glowworms. It was quite astounding. It looked like viewing a perfectly clear starry night. What was funny about the caves was that they were actually warmer than the outside air.

During the two hour bus ride to Rotorua we were served lunch. I've eaten many meals on airplanes, but eating on the bus was an experience - far more bumpier and difficult to eat. It was absolutely delicious though, and I managed to not get any on my clothes. Arriving in Rotorua, I was the only person to get off and do the Zorb. I was surprised that no one else was doing the Zorb, but take a tour of a sheep-sheering facility. I entered the building, answered all my health and liability questions and signed the waiver. I then changed into my swimsuit and watched some other people Zorb. Yes it was cold in the swim suit, but I really lucked with the weather for my stay in NZ. Out of the seven I was there I had decent sunshine for three Linda told me the three days were the best days of weather they had had in the last month. After watching other people Zorb, I was taken to the top of the hill by a jeep and after the guy pumped some water into the Zorb I ran and dove in, and prepared to roll like a hamster while slipping and sliding inside the ball in the warm water. 1-2-3 and I pushed myself off the starting platform and began to slosh around inside the Zorb. It was extremely fun and it was over way too fast. I couldn't stand up inside because everything was wet, but I had a blast. I would recommend Zorbing to anyone who is alive.

After the Zorb a tragedy occured. I'm not certain why there is a "delete all" button on digital cameras, but I accidentally hit it. Luckily I took the battery out before all my pictures were gone, but most of my Thailand pictures are gone and some of my Australia pictures - from Pancakes - vanished as well. I'm frustrated, but luckily I've been uploading them for you pleasure and my security.

I walked to meet the bus at the sheep farm and received the cold stare of jealousy from some of the other passengers. we then drove to Te Puia, a Mauri cultural exhibit in Rotorua. I saw some descendants of the Mauri at a carving school that aims to preserve the traditions of the Mauri. We then watched a performance of Mauri song and dance. (Look for a video on my Picasa album). I had a front row seat, and I really enjoyed it. It was a little campy and fake, but it was still nice to absorb a little of the native culture, even if it has been stripped down for tourists. After the show our guide showed us around the Whakarewarewa geothermal area of Te Puia, including the boiling mud pits, geysers, and sulfuric steam escaping through tiny cracks in the rocks. It smelled like the Fourth of July - meaning it smelled like firecrackers. It wasn't an incredibly good smell, but I could stand it. I got to watch the main geyser erupt, and the hot springs looked inviting - even if the guide warned us that they were nearly 95 degrees Celsius. Some of the rocks looked like they were from Saturn due to the greenish color the sulfur gave them.

We boarded the bus and watched the sunset as we drove many hours back to Auckland. I took the city bus back to Maurice's house and it was 14 hours after I had left that morning. Linda made me a quick supper of baked beans, eggs, and toast. Even her quick meals were tasty. I was really blessed to be treated to warm meals prepared for me daily. We had hot cocoa and biscuits (cookies) and I headed off to bed.

The next day brought terrible weather. I woke up and had breakfast and returned to sleep to catch up from yesterday. When I re-woke up I the weather was still foul so I decided to do something indoors. During lunch Maurice and Linda told me they were going to a nearby mall, so I hitched a ride with them and explored the mall for the day. They had a store similar to WalMart called the Warehouse, and many stores you can find in Zona Rosa or American shopping centers. This day was a recovery day from the day before, so I took it easy. I walked back home, passing a Blockbuster Video. After a chicken dinner, some television, then the round of cocoa I headed to bed.

The next day was Bungy day. After breakfast, Peter drove me by the waterfront of Auckland and dropped me off downtown. I walked to the Auckland Harbour Bridge and signed up to jump off of it. After weighing in and paying in I had time to kill so I explored some of the docks, then headed back to get geared up. The apparatus wasn't extremely complicated, and a little piece of me wished there were more straps and buckles to keep me attached to the bungy cord. As the guy strapped me in he joked that he thought the harness "might have one more jump left in it".

We left the building and walked on a small pathway under the bridge. I was trying to think of what to yell when I jumped to keep my head from thinking about the actual jumping. After a good 10 minutes we reached the pod that we would be jumping out of. When we climbed inside they raised the side of it and I saw the platform I would be leaping off of. I started to shake a little, but luckily I didn't have to go first. The operators blasted loud music to get our adrenaline pumping, and informed us that we could have our heads go underwater if we wanted to. I decided against the freezing cold water dive. After watching two guys go ahead of me who had obviously bungied before I didn't feel so freaked out. When they strapped the cord to my legs and I hopped to the edge, all that fear came back. When they told me it was time to jump I hesitated only for one second, then poorly dived off the board and fell through the air for about 40 meters. It was the most terrifying experience for my entire trip, but also my third favorite behind the safari and the Zorb. When falling, you forget that you're tied up, and you remember as soon as you come close to the water. I wasn't scared anymore after I bounced and was down there, and was extremely proud of myself. I even had an audience of boats under the bridge watching me. As they towed me back up, I started to remember what I just did and my hands started to shake again. I couldn't believe that I had actually done this.

After some more people jumped, we headed back off the bridge. I watched the video of me jumping and you can see the look of terror on my face as I am about to jump off. I did not make it look cool at all. I didn't buy the DVD, but I did get a free t-shirt. New Zealand is great!

I headed home early because I was mentally exhausted. I napped, ate dinner, talked with Maurice and Linda for several hours about New Zealand politics and history, drank some tea and headed to bed.

I woke up the next morning and after breakfast headed to church. Mountainside Lutheran Church wasn't extremely big, but it has a growing congregation and a building that was built only 8 years ago. Pastor Milton, who arranged for me to stay with Maurice and Linda was out of town, making this the third out of three church service I attended abroad where the head pastor was out of town. The service was similar to those I attend in the states, but they have cooler accents in New Zealand. Peter then drove me into town where I caught a ferry to Rangitoto Island.

I hiked up the mountain and saw cool caves formed by lava many years ago, volcanic rocks, the crater on the top of the mountain, and a breathtaking view from the summit. There were many tourists on the island due to the good weather, but it was empty enough to be enjoyable. After 43 days of walking and physical activity, I was surprised at how much this mountain kicked my butt. I was exhausted and had a headache by the time I reached the summit, and when I walked down I slept for a short time seaside and awoke to seagulls yelling at me. I took the ferry back to Auckland and a bus back to Mt. Wellington for dinner, where Linda served lamp chops.

I woke up Monday and packed. It was quite chilly so I didn't head out the door until about noon. I walked to the actual Mt. Wellington and decided to climb it. After finally finding a way to get to it, I started climbing. My lungs hadn't forgiven me from Rangitoto, so I didn't go all the way to the top, but I still got pretty far up and a pretty good view of the city. Auckland is a nice place to live, but I wouldn't recommend visiting there. I wish I would have arranged my flights to take me to the South Island of New Zealand, rather than spending it in Auckland. When I look back on France, Egypt, Kenya, and Thailand I don't really see myself returning to those specific countries. When I think about New Zealand and Australia I know I want to return to explore everything I didn't have the time or opportunity to see.

Back home Maurice and Linda and I had lunch and we drove the airport soon after. I got there at about 3pm because my flight took off at 6. After saying my goodbyes, I headed inside and went to the Qantas desk. The man at the desk informed me that the flight was delayed 5 hours. I was extremely upset because I had pictured in my mind being home in less than 24 hours. This delay would cause me to miss my connecting flight in LA to KC. I collected my meal vouchers and pouted around the airport. I had a nice dinner at a restaurant in the airport though, and when I heard that the flight was delayed 2 more hours until 1:20am I decided to take action. I went to the Air New Zealand desk, where a bunch of Qantas flight 25 people were gathered and tried to get a seat on an Air New Zealand flight leaving at 9:30pm. Luckily I got on without having to pay anything extra. While waiting in that line I talked with many other people who were frustrated about the situation: a girl from Canada, a guy from Boston, a Finnish man, and even another guy from KC.

The Air New Zealand flight was good, even if I was seated in the middle of the plane next to a drunk gay guy. He was supposed to be on Qantas 25 as well, and kept reminding me this over and over. The flight was approximately 12 hours long, and I was fortunate to be able to fall asleep. After 8 other flights you'd think I'd be able to sleep on a plane but I assure you I have not acquired this talent. After many hours of movies, music, and some Flight of the Conchords episodes we landed at LAX at 1pm on July 14th.

If you're paying attention I left Auckland at 9:30pm on July 14th, and after a 12 hour flight landed in LA at 1pm on July 14th. I had crossed the international date line, and also crossed something off of my list of things to do before I die. This day was shaping out to be the longest days of my life, both time wise and activity wise. After customs and waiting for my luggage (it was one of the last ones off the plane - when I was the first through passport control) I did what I now call the "airport shuffle". I bustled around the airport trying to find out what I should do. I first ran from terminal 2 to terminal 3 to the Midwest Airlines desk. The desk was closed and there was no number to reach them. I then ran back to the Air New Zealand desk at terminal 2 to ask them what to do. They sent me to terminal 4 to talk to Qantas. When I got to terminal 4 I was sweaty and exhausted. I'm used to the cold New Zealand weather. I didn't feel like waiting in the line, so I walked up to the counter and saw the other guy from KC who was supposed to be on Qantas 25 as well. He had already explained his situation to the guy at the desk who was working on getting him on another flight. After 30 minutes of telephone calls and computer typing we were both set up with 7:30am flights to KC the next morning and a free night's stay at the LAX Hilton.

I called my good friend Jacob, who I learned was back in LA working, and he picked me up from the Hilton (where I had just checked in). We met up with our friend Midori and we went on the hunt for dinner. We ended up going to The Grove, and outdoor shopping center that has lots of little restaurants. Midori had French cuisine, Jacob had Chinese, and I had Mexican. We talked and walked around and saw some people preparing to shoot a scene for a movie - but hey, it's LA. We went back to my hotel room at the Hilton, and after getting lost on the way there hung out and talked for about 30 minutes before they left and I headed to bed. I had to wake up early to catch that flight.

I hate waking up before the sun, but I'm well practiced by now. I caught a shuttle to the airport, was chosen for a random security pat-down, and made it to the gate a good hour before boarding. When we got on I didn't see the other guy who had gone through all the trouble I had. He was one of the last people on the plane because he was selected for a random security pat-down as well. I guess LAX doesn't trust New Zealand visitors. Anyway the flight took off and landed three hours later in Kansas City where I got to see my family 45 days after I had left them. The airport drama was annoying, but at least I got to see Jacob, whom I wouldn't have seen otherwise for a very long time.

New Zealand was great. My short time in LA was a bonus. I guess "karma" read my blog about Australia and how I wouldn't mind if this trip lasted longer. It's sad it is all over, but I am ready to relax.