North Island Video Post

Hey all! I just finished my GoPro video of our North Island trip! Be sure to check it out on youtube!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBvP5SN3V38

North Island Trip!

Wow! I have been so busy since leaving for Auckland on the 27th of March! We were very luck to get a week off for Easter so I went up to the top of the North Island with Shoshana, Sean, Nina, Laura, Phil, Vince and Dan. We were quite the crew traveling around all together. When we landed in Auckland Sho Sean and I went up to the sky tower where we got to look out over all of Auckland from all directions, the room at the top was circular with windows wrapping all the way around at the top. There was also a few spots with glass floors where we got to stand and look down on the city. Auckland is a much bigger city than Wellington, it was a bit overwhelming to be honest, I don't think I could handle being there for more than a few days. I am just not a city girl. It was very cool to experience the larger city in New Zealand though. From there we took a bus up to The Bay of Islands in Paihia and spent 3 nights a the Pickled Parrot, a hostel with an bulldozer sleeping in the bed across from my bunk. But actually, you would not believe how loud this guy snored, I probably got 4 hours of sleep the whole time we were there, it was unbelievable I could hear him over my ipod cranked up on loud. Here we got some good beach time in the first day and the day that followed was probably my favorite day since being here. We went on an all day sailing trip out around the islands. It was absolutely breathtaking, relaxing and completely wonderful. On our way out of the bay we saw a group of dolphins swimming in the distance ahead of us. They were huge, easily 7-8 feet long and they were a gorgeous shade of grey. That start made the whole boat trip worth it but then it just got even better! We stopped midday on a small island with a short hike that had a 360 degree view at the top so we could see all the islands. (there are going to be quite a few pictures with this post) on our stop we had a wonderful picnic did some kayaking and took a dip in the water. On our way back to shore a dolphin showed up right under our boat, I got some great video with the gopro of it swimming at the bow of the boat! The rest of the trip was so relaxing, a guy who came on the sailing trip was an amateur singer and he brought his guitar and sang Zac Brown Band, George Straight and Johnny Cash to us, it was so cool! (Hailey House you'd have loveddd it!)
From Paihia we went to the Coromandel Penisula, and on Easter morning I was able to skype my beautiful family who were all having Easter dinner at Gramma's house. I was sad that I couldn't be there with everyone but luckily this holiday I refrained from crying as we were off for our beach hoppin' day. We went to a beach near cooks beach where I built a pretty awesome sand castle and then went over to another place where we hiked down to Cathedral Cove. There
I did some minor rock jumping (don't stress mom I really do mean minor 10-12 feet max). From there we went to the hot spring beaches, at low tide there is a specific spot on the beach where everyone congregates to dig holes in the sand near the hot springs creating mini hot tubs to chill (or actually heat up) in. It was a spectacular experience! Overall the trip was spectacular and so much fun!
Coming back to school I was welcomed with 3 1500-2000 word essays and another 1000 word assignment. Not coO0oo0Ol. At all. Finally I have finished all my papers and my assignment. Only to find out I have 2 more things due next week. ughh. School shouldn't be this much of a drag. haha Luckily I am doing one of my presentations next week on the Nazi Olympics so hopefully that will be able to hold my attention long enough while also daydreaming about actually being in the Olympics some day. (Lindsay you better be working out!)