Huka Falls and the Thermal Springs

Well it was a rainy day and the weather prevented me from doing the Tongariro Crossing which was the only reason I even stopped in Taupo so this was a bittersweet trip to the falls and thermal spas but it turned out to be quite the sight.

I was able to go on this really cool zipline then I hit up the thermal springs before I walked to the Huka Falls. It was quite cool because the river current gradually got faster and faster the further along the path I got. The water was a wonderful looking blue and teal all along it and I was listening to Bloc Party and Bob Dylan so that was enjoyable.

When I left Huka Falls and took another dip in the thermal spas I talked for a while with a man from Lebanon and had a great conversation about peace of mind. He said that he sensed a good energy from me and also thought I was in my late twenties. I've been getting that a lot with my new beard. wow, how maturity hits a man overnight! ahaha.

Well everyone enjoy the shots. I would post so many more but my flash drive adapter takes way too long, so you'll have to meet me later on to see the others.

I love Guiness!!!

Cheers,

Luke Davis Wakefield

My first rugby match

Well yesterday I went to Westpac Stadium and saw my first ever rugby match. For those who don't know rubgy is the original Football and American Football was derived from rugby rules, they were just modified by a Yale student. The major difference is in rugby there is no forward pass.

Rugby players are mad by the way. No pads whatsoever and there isn't rapid substitutions like in football. The 15 starters play two 40 minute halves and there is no blocking for the person with the ball, they just have to fend for themselves. Good shit eh?

Well it was Hurricanes (home team) vs. the 1st place Crusaders. Crusaders won 20-13 and overall is was a pretty good match, the Hurricanes had a few mistakes that cost them in the end. Oh, they have cheerleaders here and they just adopted the "kiss cam" where the jumbotron makes two people kiss. They love it over here, and the kisses aren't pecks like you see in America, they are in your face make-out sessions. Always makes for a good chuckle, haha!

Cheers,

Yours truly,

Luke

Bird Sanctuary

Phil and I wandered to the bird sanctuary and enjoyed it quite a bit. It was peaceful and a nice little hike to take on a sunny day. We only saw a few types of birds and they were the Tui (balls for chin) and the Gray Wharler (Kamakazee) bird which is also a name we just made up for the small bird because they would fly directly towards your head.

We also saw some lizards that we attempted to frieghten and make run which turned into a successful attempt; not to the pleasure of the other people who wanted to see them but what can ya do? I can't tell which pictures have a good shot because when I preview them they are dark and small, so these might be shots of sticks with no birds. Enjoy!

Botanical Gardens

These are the Wellington Botanical Gardens and as you can see they are quite nice. I went there with my good friend Phil who I met on the Kiwi Experience and we got some good shots in. The best part was climbing the "Bucket Tree" and getting a birdseye view of Wellington. Oh yea the flowers and roses were....cute.

Of course I'm going to say that climbing was better than the flowers, I have to sound like a man.

Wilco at the Opera House

Ah the mighty sounds of Wilco. Fantastic Chicago based bands for those who are undoubtely missing out on great music. I have seen them twice before but I saw them on the 24th and this was fantastic stuff. They played all of my favorites like Jesus etc, Spiders, I'm the Man that loves you, and more. The kiwi's have never had Wilco play in NZ before and Wilco sold out the Opera House without and advertising except for radio.

I was lucky enough to meet three of the band members after the gig in the back alley. I didn't have any plans so I just walked around the back and waited for about an hour and sure enough I met Nells the ripping guitarist, the bassist, and the keyboardist (don't remember their names).

I got a cool t-shirt that I will cherish because when else will I get a t-shirt of one of my favorite bands that has only an Australian and New Zealand tour on the back of it!!!

Home Sweet Wellington

Well the south island tour is complete and I won't see those spectacular landscapes for a few years until I go back, haha, maybe like 10 years, but some time. I had a really good ferry ride across the Cook Strait up to Wellington and the North Island where I will spend the rest of my time in New Zealand.

Wellington is absolutely brilliant and there is something new and exciting to do every day. Either it's a small cafe, restaurant, or bar there is somewhere to go every day/night. It is on the Harbor and people are always active down there.

Today, Saturday, was a gorgeous day and the whole city was out and walking. Traffic was so slow and scarce that anyone can walk around the city without a care in the world. The people are laid back and everyone is smiling. What's better than a Saturday afternoon along the water? Tough question I know.

But I live with five other people in a flat on Manner's St. Aoibheann, Amy, Chris, Halena, and Joe are my wonderful hosts and I am there current dosser. It is a great blend of people and we are all looking forward to St. Patrick's Day just like everyone else in the world should be.

Enjoy the photos!!!

Peace and Love,

Luke Davis

Some More, They are just too good

Ok here are the Milford Sound Pics

Queenstown and Milford Sound

Queenstown has been living up to the name of "Adventure capital of the world." I have done some pretty wild things and I'll show you some pictures of luge at the top of a giant hill and some great pictures of Milford Sound.

I rented a car with three other people that I met on the Kiwi Experience and we headed down to Milford Sound to do some Kayaking. These mountains are absolutely extraordinary. They come straight out of the water and are incredibly steep and you can't really get a grasp on the size until you are near them.

Queenstown has the two mountains called the Remarkables and they are just that. This city is built for young people that just want to have a great time. The views are spectacular and there isn't enough days in the week to do everything you want.

Oh yea a coach bus blew up and we saw that too!

Enjoy the pics,

Peace and love,

Wake

Nevis Bungy Jump

Well I looked fear in the face and I laughed. I signed up for the 3rd highest bungy jump in the world in Queenstown. It is 134m or 440 from the ground. The freefall is for 8.5 seconds and I was dropping at about 80 mph.

You don't really realize what you're doing until you take a cable car out to where we jump. The feeling hits you in the stomach and you know you are about to do something incredible. There were 18 people jumping and I think I jumped about 7th and they walked me out to the edge and counted me down from five and I was a man about it and full out jumped with my arms spread like an eagle. Once your eyes travel from straight ahead to below and the freefall feeling hits your stomach it was just amazing.

I laughed the entire time the brought me back up. It ranks second to skydiving but it was quite the thrill. I bought some professional pictures that are really good.

Sweet as bro,

Luke