Visiting the Land of the Kiwis(Pt 3)

After our short visit to Mount Cook, it's time to visit the city of Christ Church! Although it was very different from the other places we have been, despite being a city, it was truly an eventful chapter added onto our adventure of New Zealand.

The most we did here was hike around Christ Church, and the gorgeous mountain hiking paths. We embarked on a hike through gorgeous waterfalls, the most humongonous mountains EVER, and this spot called "Arthur's pass". There is even a section on the side of the mountains where a road was attempted to be built, but it was too steep so you can see the gravel slide down even when we went there during our trip.

(Up on the left-hand side you can see the attempted road!)

(Here is Arthur's Pass)

Aside from hours and hours of gorgeous views, we unfortunatley left this energetic city to head to our wonderful next destination!

Right after our stay here, we took a 90 minute flight straight to Rotorua, which is on the north island! We had spent so much time on the south island, I had forgotten New Zealand was two different islands. And surprisingly, only 1/5th of the population lives on the massive south island, while basically everyone else lives on the north island(which, by the way, is probably more than half times smaller than the south island, crazy right?)

But first let me tell you about the most amazing hotel I've ever stayed at, called Peppers on the Point. 10/10 recommend you go there! Previously, it used to be a home, but they renovated it. It sits at the end of a lovely lake, and it really felt like I was eating at a home because of how little guests there were. They had animals(even more sheep...) some donkeys and a horse! They were situated on the hillside and it was so nice to see them along with the sunrise every morning from the massive windows in my sister and I's room. Not to mention the most delicious lamb and steak I've ever eaten!

(I mean, look at that view!)

I can easily say that the highlight of my stay here in Rotorua was something called black water rafting! I mean, it sounds like the scarier version of white water rafting right? But its basically white water rafting, in a cave, in the dark. I know right? That sounds really scary! But trust me, these bugs called "fungus gnats" actually glow in the dark. So when we were floating around in our little floaties, we looked up the roof of the save like we were looking at the stars, but a little green... Anyway! As much as the glow bugs were beautiful, it was a little bit scary not seeing what was around me. Considering I was in a cave, I was traveling down chilly water only being able to see the people in front of me. But, I ignored all of that, and simply enjoyed the experience!

That is until I saw the pictures of all the creepy crawlies that were in the water with us while we were rafting! There were eels, shrimp, and spiders...

But it's alright because at least it was fun!(But you know what wasn't fun? Having to squeeze in and out of the really really tight swimming suits we had to wear during the experience)

While we were here we also here we signed ourselves up for a canopy tour, the company which we signed up with not only gave us a thrilling zip lining adventure, but we also learned a ton about the forest we zip lined in. Essentially, all the money they receive goes to the restoraton of the forest, which is called a native virgin forest(meaning all of the plants and animals and insects living in it have been untouched) And as other species brought by humans endanger the native species, these people work to set traps to protect the original organisms from going extinct.

And that sums it up for today! Thanks for reading, and see you in Part four!