North Island

These pictures are from the North Island of New Zealand. While the South Island is more striking, the North Island has so many different, interesting things to see and do!

Below is Bill standing with the Giant Kiwi! Near Tauranga, there is a kiwi farm called Kiwi 360. We went on their tour and learned some very interesting facts! I tried a kiwiberry for the first time - they are like kiwi-grapes... very yummy! We stopped at the Agrodome in Rotorua and got a private showing of Sheep Shearing! We were in-between tours, but the shearer had to maintain his daily quota so we got to ask him all kinds of questions! It is really amazing how quick they move!
Bill and I had a great time at the Tamaki Village near Rotorua. It was very interesting to learn about the Maori culture. We met some really neat people and enjoyed the food! Bill got up on stage at one point to learn the moves, but I didn't get a good pic!

This is taken from Mount Maunganui. It was a really beautiful day - perfect for a walk around the Mount! We stayed with Phil and Glenis' daughter, Lisa, and her husband Murray Denyer - and their two beautiful kids, Richard and Emily. We had such a great time learning about this part of New Zealand from locals! They are truly fortunate to live in such a beautiful part of the country! This last picture isn't very attractive, but shows the clouds of sulfur that were everywhere at the Wai-o-Tapu park near Rotorua. It was a beautiful day, but I just couldn't fully enjoy it - I hate the smell of sulfur!!! Rotorua is a very interesting city, though. There are pockets of boiling mud all across the city, as it is right on a fault line. It was very interesting... and very stinky!! It also has the largest population of Maori people in all of New Zealand. There were many beautiful churches and buildings with incredible carvings and details.

All-in-all, we had a fantastic time in New Zealand. It is just so beautiful! I know I have said it before, but if you get the chance to go, Take IT!! :) You won't regret it!!