Follow our journey as we travel around Europe, Australia and Asia over the next year. We will try to update you with blog posts and pictures as much as possible! Please feel free to leave comments/ messages. Bon Voyage!

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

The North Island !

Hi Everyone !

We are now in Christchurch after an amazing two weeks on New Zealand's North Island.
After we left our friends Hanna and Gus we ventured down the island's East Coast. The East Coast is home of the Hot Water Beach, Coromandel area and several other beautiful beaches.

Once we arrived in the town of Gisborne we cut West to Turangi, a famous national Park. In Turangi Jackie, Carlo and myself embarked on a 19.4km hike up Mt. Tongairo. After 5 hours we had aches and pains from head to toe, but it was worth every minute of it. At the top of Mt. Tongairo we saw 3 emerald lakes, two volcanoes and tons of geothermal activity. It was breathtaking but boy, after 4 months of not wearing shoes, our feet took a beating.

From Turangi, we headed up North to the Bay of Islands. The Northland is stunning, turquoise ocean bays, lots of fishing and beautiful water front campgrounds. After eating chickpeas and tuna for a week we treated ourselves to freshly caught fish and a side of chips....so good !

We found a website called GRABONE, it is similar to Groupon but works in New Zealand. OFeom that site we purchased a two for one Skydive! It was amazing, so thrilling, something we will always remember. The view were astonishing and jumping out of the plane gave you a rush that chills your bones. We had a blast and the northern part of the island was the perfect place to do it. We could see crystal clear waters, colorful sands and beautiful landscape.

We said goodbye to our friend Jackie and departed for the South Island today. A lot of adventures ahead. We can't wait!

Cheers,
Carmen and Carlo



Getting ready !

My face says it all !

Beautiful landing together !
3 Emerald Lakes
Beautiful Colours

Sunday, February 12, 2012

New Zealand !

Hello from beautiful New Zealand !

We are FINALLY off of Fraser Island... yippee! We spent a night a Noosa and left bright and early to Brisbane. Our friends Gus and Hanna picked up Carlo, Jackie and myself at the Auckland airport.
After a short nights sleep we ventured down to Waitomo, about 2 hours South of Auckland. In Waitomo we all did Black Water Rafting. Black Water Rafting is a tubing adventure through caves lit up by glowworms. It was so much fun!

From Waitomo we headed down to Rotorua, the adventure town of New Zealands North Island. In Rotorua we all did our very first White Water Rafting adventure. It was the coolest thing, so much fun. We went off the highest water fall (7 metres) rafting allows you to.

The best part about New Zealand....FREE CAMPING! Lake Taupo is in the middle of the North Island, it reminded me of Peachland or even Kelowna. They had a free campground (of course no bathrooms or showers) on a beautiful river. There is nothing better then taking a "shower" in a fresh water river.

On our way back up to Auckland we stopped in at the natural hot springs in the middle of the forest and a geothermal area....very cool.

If the rest of New Zealand is anything like it's first four days, we are in for a real treat. It is stunning here, absolutely beautiful.

We are dropping our friends Hanna and Gus off today and Jackie, Carlo and I are going to continue camping the North Island for another 10 days.

Time to go, the sun is shining and the black sand beach awaits us!

Cheers,

Carmen and Carlo

Carlo Black Water Rafting

Smiles

In the caves

Natural Hot Springs

Carmen, Gus, Hana, Jackie, Carlo

Champagne Pool

Champagne Pools....Amazing Colours

White Water Rafting

Rafting

Geothermal Pools