The moon rise down the street of my Bible Study leaders' home. Easter Sunday. Diane, Sarah, and I on our walk. Here, at the top of One Tree Hill. WEDNESDAY, April 14th. The ROAD TRIP begins!!! Sarah and I take a stop off the road for a little walk through the bush and a river. Sarah and her great smile. If there are birds, there is me chasing them. We arrive at our first destination- Tauranga! This road trip was to be spent with a group of peepz from Sarah's res hall (seen in the next picture.), one whose name is Joanna, who lives in Tauranga. This is her house. Sarah kept saying during the next few days that her neighborhood looked like it came right out of the movie The Truman Show, all new, neat, and perfect. I agree! The house was architected by Jo’s father! Anyway, I was introduced to the gang, and we all sat down for a nice feast by Jo’s parents, who are Korean. What a treat to be in a home and to have a cooked meal. Then we got ready and headed out an hour down the road (pretty dang dark- Sarah and I spooked each other out.) after stopping at a foodstore for some bonfire snacks. We arrived at Ohope Beach where we met up with a couple of more people from the res hall- one, whose parents had just bought a house on Ohope beach. We went out to the beach and had a great bonfire- about ten of us all. About half the gang drank a whole lot, and thus I prayed that the Lord would give me a way to connect to them, since I don't drink. And He did- we sang practically the whole night (Lion King and pop)!!! Sarah and I made s’mores for everyone (you wouldn't believe how many people had no idea what they were- noticeably a big group of international students). Anyway, we came back to the house around 2 AM and crammed into the guy's room (I was in such a tight lil space!) and tried to sleep. The gang from left to right: Byron (Canada), Joanna (NZ), Jessica (Canada), Renae (NZ), moi (California), Sarah (California), Shai (Israel). THURSDAY: I woke up at who knows when, and went on a nice walk on the beach, which was sparkling like I’ve never seen a beach sparkle before. It was much like a Little Mermaid scene. I came back, getting lost on the way, to find out everyone was gone, so I just did their dishes. Then they came back and we drove back to Tauranga. We washed up, had a little lunch, and drove to Mt. Manganui. Here is a shot on the way up to the top. Another shot on the way up. And another. A view of the city of Manganui. We finally arrive at the top. A shot looking out the other side of Mt. Manganui (not the ocean.) Next, we climbed down and went home for some dinner, again, a nicely cooked meal, and then watched the move About A Boy, suggested by Shai, a film buff. I loved it! And then I read & went to bed. FRIDAY: I got up b4 everyone again, and went on a walk in Joanna's backyard territory. Came back and had a pancake with everyone. Then we washed up and took off for Rotorua. This picture gives you an idea of what Rotorua is like- that steam is from volcanic activity underneath. The whole city smells like sulphur. It didn't really bother me since it just reminded me of eggs. We arrived around 12:30, I locked myself out of the car, so Sarah and I went to AA to get the car prob fixed (the second time I used AA that week! HA! remember my flat?), and then we all met to eat at the Mexican Food Restaurant in town. I had a burrito and loved it, even though it had no refried beans (Mexican food is scarce in NZ, and when it is found, there ain't no beans. ;o). Next we went to the Rotorua Museum of Art and History, shown here (it used to be a bath house, utilizing the abundant hot water in the area), watched a couple of videos on the history of the area, and took photos... ...the gate to the museum... ...and the park in front of the museum. Next we went for dinner at Burger King/ Sizzler (btw- the Sizzler meals were all over $20!!! Cliff and I always joke about how expensive things are here compared to the US and Taiwan). Next we got in our bathing suits and trekked out to Kerosene Creek in the pitch black under the Milky Way to bathe in the warm, natural (just walk down the dirt forest path until you see & hear the water) hot springs. There was even a waterfall! Wonderful! A large group joined us with candles- it made me feel like I was in Survivor. It was a very relaxing. We came back, watched Bubble Boy, and went to bed. SATURDAY: Again, I got up b4 everyone, walked around town- bought some bread from a bakery for the gang. After breakfast we left to Te Whakarewarea, a thermal reserve, partly shown in this photo, where we walked around, took a great tour (I finally got to see Kiwi birds- they are so big and fat! I loved em!). Te Whakarewarea: more steam. Te Whakarewarea: wouldn't you love to jump in that? Te Whakarewarea: the ultimate mudbath, eh? Te Whakarewarea: the notorius geyser, the Pohutu (Maori for 'Big Splash'), which juts up hot water 20 metres 10 to 20 times a day. Next, the rest went to a Maori concert held on the reserve while I just sat on a bench, ate lunch, and thought. Then we met and went to off the renowned ice cream parlour. We sat on a bench by Lake Rotorua to eat the ice cream, and a napped this shot of couple people feeding the black swans. After, we went to a historic Bathhouse and toured, came back to the motel, and then Jessica, Byron, and I washed up and headed off for our Maori Concert experience. This is a picture of two Maori women performing with Poi (white punchy/plasticy balls attached to red yarn and swung around by the hand). I am learning to perform this in my Maori class! It is a lot more difficult than it looks. You have to coordinate funky wrist movement with and and foot movement without getting the rest of your body in the way... heh. I really didn’t like anything about this Maori concert but the food (salmon, oysters, chicken, sweet carrots, coleslaw, fruit salad and chocolate pudding cake!). Why? It was way too commercialized with the lighting and sound effects. Also, the performers didn’t seem fit enough for their part, nor like they were putting their heart into it. My class is so much better! I feel like I am getting a more traditional, practical, and all-together true cultural experience. Oh well. Anyway, the dinner is called a 'hangi,' since it is cooked on a stone oven like this. Yes, Jessica, Byron and I are happy. That's Byron's shirt on me... I stupidly forgot a sweatshirt (as usual). One of the most fun parts of the whole concert experience was that on the way back to Rotorua, the bus driver had people from different nationalities sing songs from their home countries. I sang “America the Beautiful” with an older guy. Jessica and Byron sang “ferojacque” (sp) from Canada. Then the bus driver had us all sing “She’ll be coming around the Mountain, yee haw!” while going around a roundabout (the NZ replacement of 4-way stop intersections) like 5 times. Hah! Great memory!!! Then we we were dropped off and came back. The rest of the gang went out to the bars… I read and went to bed, though Byron and Shi tried to tackle me into going (I used my kickboxing against them… hehe!) SUNDAY: In the morning, I went to a splendid café in front of the lake, shown here, and began to plan my trip for the coming days in one of the comfiest couch chairs. Soon, nearby, the craft market, held once a month in Rotorua, opened with lots of great bargains- I bought some great NZ art cards and a CD case. I came back to the motel, told everyone and then they all wanted to go, too! So we did! Then I bought a huge $10 bag for traveling. Everyone picked up something fun. Next, we went to the AgroAdeventure Park to watch Shi and Byron go bungy jumping and zorbing. This is Byron bungy jumping. This is zorbing: rolling down a hill in a cushy plastic ball with or without water. I'm going to wait to do it with my brother or sister (yes! you can do it with two people!) The champs! Next we drove to the 3D maze that was so much fun! I beat everyone- even though they were in groups of two and I was on my own… heh... (actually, I think it helped being on my own.) Some more fun at the 3D hedge maze... actually, it was kinda painful. Next we went to Hell’s Gate, another thermal reserve for another really cool walk around of some mud pools. The different pools had some pretty funny and classic names, like 'Baby Adam' or 'Sodom and Gomorrah.' Sarah takes a look. Hell's Gate: I become Michelle without height. ;o) Hell's Gate. Hell's Gate: some green rocks Hell's Gate: The four walk on ahead Hell's Gate: The sunset added some beauty. Hell's Gate: a change of scenery. Yes! It's fall over here! I'm loving it cuz its my favourite season, and as you Santa Cruzians know, there is hardly a trace of fall in the redwood forest. So NZ foliage is a nice change of scenery. Hell's Gate. Hell's Gate: you can only imagine the smell on that bridge. ;o) Hell's Gate: Now you tell me what peacocks are doing in a place like this. Who knows? Anyway, next, over pizza we watched the NZ 20/20, which Sarah and I had looked forward to watching--> some famous NZ music artists, like Stereophonics and (oh! I forget her name!), and the Parachute Band, who are affiliated with our church, were being interviewed. It was nice to share this with the group, and Jessica and Byron are now attending Christian Life Centre Auckland with us! So we watched TV until the wee hours (what can I say, we were on break!) of morning then went to bed. MONDAY: Alright, so here is where I depart from the rest of the gang- out on my own again!! I got up at 7, took a shower and left them all sleeping. First stop was the Anglican/Maori church. Inside they have this cool window that when viewed from the proper perspective gives the image of Jesus walking on the Sea of Galilee (though in this case, Lake Rotorua). I liked how the church was Christian, but decorated and carved totally Maori. You can even see the 'wahora' (gate) in this picture, aligning with Maori culture. Next I took a walk in a Rotorua bush called Fletcher's Adventure Camp that climbs- - can you tell what kind of trees these are you Santa Cruzians?- - California redwoods- - to a nice view of Lake Rotorua. Gave me a good breath of redwood to reminisce on. Next I took a looooooooooooooooooong drive down through Taupo to Napier. On the way I took a 'scenic offramp' just for the heck of it and ran into these gorgeous falls. When I arrived a Napier, I jumped out of my car and was greeted by the black sand beach. In fact, the entirety of East cape has black sand (due to all the volcanic activisather than regular sand. I hadn't seen this since I was 5 years old, in Hawaii!! Napier is known as the Art Deco city. In 1930, 7 to 8 magnitude earthquake struck and destroyed the whole city. So they rebuilt it based on the popular style of California at the time, Art Deco. This McDonald's, renamed McDeco, takes on the style. The famous nighttime view of Napier. See the lights on the trees in the back? I was held arrested and brought to Prison. jk, the hostel I stayed at that night in Napier took on the prison scene. TUESDAY: I woke up around 6:30 and drove downtown to get some more shots of the Art Deco style. The cutoff corners of the streets and shops were built like this so that cars good better see around the corner. Here is a Napier city centre shot. You can tell it's early in the morning. Also, the streets all had their names printed on the ground. Next I droveout to Te Mata Peak in Havelock North. What a great climb (my car was about out of gas, so I found, by the Lord’s grace, a good stopping place up the mount, and walked the rest) to the outlook over the whole of Hawke’s Bay and the surrounding cities. This shot is looking south. Te Mata Peak: Looking down. Te Mata Peak: Looking north. Te Mata Peak: Looking East. In the background you can see the peak called Taumata................................................... the longest place name in the world... I am not even going to sit here an type all the letters in it... heh... This is Hastings, redone after the earthquake in another Californian trend at the time, the Spanish style. Here is the grand bakery I bought a scone at in Hastings. I must add that I really REALLY liked the whole of Napier, Hastings, and Havelock North. Just a great, classy and relaxed feel. Some of my favorite in NZ so far. Then I busted out of there and drove a LONG, can I repeat LONG-AS drive to Gisborne. The whole area was hazy, so it wasn’t as pretty as it coulda been- couldn’t see everything, but the best that I could describe it as lots of bush and windy roads- the typical remote NZ. Anyway, here is Gisborne. I arrived at about 12:30 at the I-center, shown here. Can you see the sign that points to LA, which is 10,418 km away?! I walked around town- taking pictures of historic statues. This is Young Nick (Captain Cook's favourite young aide) against Young Nick Head's Bay (weird name, eh?). I woke up three times during the night. I asked/acknowledged that the Lord would wake me up when He knew best- see, I REALLY wanted to see the sunrise at the lighthouse, but knew I needed good rest for the LONG-AS journey home the next This is what Young Nick is pointing too. Look at those gnarly birds! Ooo! Stumbled, unexpectedly across the shortest river in NZ. A monument to mark the first place were Captain Cook landed in NZ!!! Finally, I walked up the mighty Kairu park hill to the Observatory on top, taking pictures of Gisborne along the way, ... YAY! I got a picture with the world’s most easterly observatory! Look at those classic NZ houses... I left Gisborne after 5 hours and headed to my next destination, about 100 km up the road. I couldn't believe how far back the waves began to ripple, so I grabbed a shot. I stopped at Tolanga bay for a nice walk on the long, 600 m wharf and some great photos. There was no fence at the end of the wharf to keep you from falling off and some surfers were jumping off the sides to go surfing- funny. Tolanga Bay. Tolanga Bay, at the end of the wharf- look its NZ seagulls! Anyway, it took me some 3 odd hours to make it to Te Aroroa, about half in the dark which REALLY stunnk. I couldn’t enjoy the beauty, and it was scarry at the thought of getting lost or breaking down. Anyway, I arrived at the park and was nicely greeted. I had a whole three person cabin to myself which was just what I needed!!! I took one look at the gorgeous dark,dark night sky, then took all the crud out of my car and organized it all into my new big fat bag from the Rotorua market. I planned my next days journey, took a well needed shower and konked out. WEDNESDAY: I woke up three times during the night. I had asked/acknowledged that the Lord would wake me up when He knew best- see, I REALLY wanted to see the sunrise at the easternmost lighthouse in the world, but knew I needed good rest for the LONG-AS journey home the next day. Anyway, so waking up those three times that night?- at 1, after a nasty dream, 3, after an okay dream and hearing some weird animal that sounded like a screeching chimp, and finally at 5:30 after a great dream and finally feeling rested!!! I busted out of there all happily. I drove the 20 km on gravel road in the pitch dark yet slowly lightening morning. I finally reached the base of the mountain, which was shared by two farms, when things were finally visible, climbed the 600 infamous steps to the lighthouse where I found myself accompanied by two Asian tourist girls about my age. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect- I was just in time for the sunrise. We waited for the amazing sunrise, but it never came since the clouds were in the way. Anyway, we took some great shots of each other instead, shown here and here and here (the farms below) and here (where the Sun was supposed to rise),/TD> and then climbed down. I went ahead of them in case anything should happen along the way. On the way out, the drive was beautiful- the sun was peaking through the clouds and I could see the ocean right alongside the road. This picture was taken from my car window. Can you just imagine yourself being in my shoes!?!?!?!? ‘This is what it’s all about,’ I thought. ‘I’m getting out on the road to see the things I want to see and its beautiful and fun.’ I thought of how much the scenery reminded me of heaven, and sang the song ‘I can only imagine’ all the way from the lighthouse down and out. Back in Te Aroroa, I was stopped behind some cattle and their drivers and a dog chasing the cattle. It was a sight to see. I drove around to find the largest Pohutukawa tree in the world and took this picture, and grabbed one of its leaves off the ground for keepsake (it's now sitting on my window sill). Then I began the long and again, cumbersome drive home. It was a long day, about a 12 hour trip total. I stopped a few times for gas and snacks. I took a picture of this Maori/Anglican church that notoriously stands secluded against the sea. Also, stopped in Whakatane just passed Ohope (where I took a shot of where I had been about a week earlier, though it was hazy today, and though the water was still blue, it wasn’t as sparkling.) Then headed back home the same way I’d come, finally getting home at 5 PM. Remember the glittering Ohope Beach? Well, when I passed by again, I just had to take a shot. See how it glitters like mad? My first walk there, about a week earlier, had been much less hazy and the ocean was a much deeper blue, however. One of my favourite shots of the whole trip. Sarah and I cracked up when we first passed through Te Puke. Read the sign to know why. It's actually pronouned Te Poo kay, but we liked it better Englisized.