Two New Adventures: Skyswing & Mtn. Luge

Just down the road from Zorb Rotorua are the Skyrides. For our skyline adventure, we decided to take a ride on the skyswing (a three person swing positioned 50 metres above ground level that swings at about 150 kph over the mountains edge providing a spectacular view of Rotorua city and the surrounding lakes).




































After swinging across the mountain's edge, we headed up the lift to the mountain luge track. After a quick lesson in starting, stoping, and turning - we headed down the mountain side course. The first course, the scenic route for beginners, provided an excellent route to learn how to manuver the luge and to see the beautiful scenery below. After we had completed a run down that course, we headed back up for the intermediate and advanced courses. It wasn't long before Christine and I decided to race down the course and ... true to form ... I ended up in the first aid station following a truely fabulous crash + full flip. [No worries, it's just a few minor abrasions.]

Zorbing !!!

Monday morning and we are heading to Rotorua. First thing on today's agenda: Zorbing! What better place than New Zealand to zoom 200 metres downhill inside a large, plastic, inflated ball. This morning we opted for two zorbs - first, a three person ride where Christine, Sara, and I tumbled down the hill together then a single person zorb for Sara and I. Individually, we rolled down the curvey track, winding back and forth down the hillside. Don't worry, there's just enough water in the zorb to prevent you from getting any nasty 'zorb burns' ... something not to different than a rug burn. Plus, the water makes the experience a cross between a roller coaster and a waterfall!

Rangitoto Island

Soon after we arrived in New Zealand, we decided to hike though the lava caves and to the summit of the now dormant volcano of Rangitoto. Rantito Island erupted from the sea in a series of dramatic explosions around 6,000 years ago. The volcano dominants the local seascape and is one of Aukland's most recognizable icons. The hike to the summit is only about 1-hour, but the view from the top is amazing.

Stepping onto Rangitoto Island is like stepping onto another world. The landscape is very unique as the sides of the mountain are covered with hardened bits of volcanic rock and ash that still remains from the volcano's active days. Growing from the rocky landscape are over 200 species of native plants (including over 40 different species of fern).


















Along our hike we met two travelers from Isreal. Itai and Elad were part way through their several month journey that began in Australia and included New Zealand and areas of Indonesia. As we came out of one of the lava caves, we noticed Elad hanging from a tree branch that straddled the exit of the cave. Always the competitor, I decided to hang upside down from the branch - then Itai decided he would impress us with a pull-up onto the branch.



















We had some laughs then continued to hike towards the summit with our new traveling friends. At the top, we were treated to a truely spectacular view of Aukland's skyline and the bay below.
















Upon completing our hike, we took the ferry back to Aukland City and Christine's house. That night, Christine and her flatmates hosted us and several of their Kiwi friends for a BBQ. We had a great evening, but Sara and I fell asleep fairly early. (I think the jet lag finally overtook us at about 10:30 pm).

Here on the ground

Friday (Jan 13th) at 12noon we arrived at Dulles International Airport in Washington, D.C. and checked our bags through to New Zealand. After a 5 hour flight, we landed at LAX. Sara and I took a nice long walk around the LA airport before grabbing a quick snack and climbing on board the place to New Zealand. The plane was huge (a Boeing 747-400 - for those who want to know (TONY!)). Sara and I each had a window seat in row 47. The flight was long, about 12 hours, but we greatly enjoyed talking to all the various people sitting around us.

At 5:15 AM, Jan 15th, we finally landed in Aukland, New Zealand. It took about 45 minutes to get through customs, but once we were outside we found Christine waiting for us with a big smile on her face (even though she had to drag herself out of bed at 4:50 AM this morning). Lucky for us we have such a great friend. The first thing we did, upon our arrival, was hit the grocery store. We picked up some breakfast, food for this afternoon's BBQ (at Christine's with her Kiwi friends) and withdrew some New Zealand dollars ($1 US = approx. $1.44 NZ). Now, we are spending the morning relaxing in Christine's beautiful house and planning our travels for the upcoming week.

Best wishes to everyone back home in the states.