I'll Corrugate you a creation

Hello all.
We are now on the last leg of the journey. We just arrived back in Auckland, and we're flying out early for Sydney tomorrow. It was windy when we were in Sydney on Monday, but compared to new Zealand's weather, it'll be so nice.
Shall I explain?

So it was hailing as I was writing the last post. Not bad. It stopped after awhile. We drove out of Lake Taupo to a national park. I can't remember the name, but I'm looking it up right now...it's Kaimanawa forest park. I think. Maggie knew the name but couldn't pronounce it but said it started with a K. I know I sound like a crazy person writing like this but New Zealand has the worst names. I can't pronounce anything even if i tried. Or maybe it's Kaweka forest park. The map is still up and I'm still glancing at it. now it's on the satellite option....sorry.

Anyways, we were going to take a nice hike around the forest, but as we drove towards the area it began to rain again. Then it started hailing. THEN it began to snow. It wasn't intense snow, it melted as soon as it hit the car, but the sides of the road still had snow from a previous day.

needless to say, we did not go on that walk.

In the end we drove along another highway that was taking us to Waitomo when we came across a gigantic carrot. i kid you not. Australia and New Zealand have this passion for gigantic things. In Australia we passed a giant lobster, mango, banana, pineapple, and another animal that I can't recall. The book I'm reading mentions even more, including a bull. In New Zealand we found this carrot. No rhyme or reason. No explanation. just a carrot.

We hung out in the town Ohakune for awhile while trying to find something we could do in nature that wouldn't freeze us to death. Ohakune had the Mangawhero falls that we determined on a map to be up a road we were nearby. We travelled awhile, stopping to take a walk by the river. No falls yet. We drove on, and as we did, piles of snow began to appear on the sides of the road. We were driving up the mountain/volcano/both/ that of course I can't remember the name. One tiny snowball fight later, we found a waterfall. If it was the one we were looking for, we'll never know. But it was pretty. And we were cold. So we took some pictures, then resumed our journey to Waitomo.

I like small hostels. Even though they may not have free wireless or be near a city, they have a charm that you just can't beat. there's less people there, so even when everyone is in the common room it doesn't feel crowded. Plus, they're just cuter. Our Waitomo one was like this. it was nice. We relaxed, made some pasta, and we, I mean, Maggie watched Lord of the Rings, which apparently was the chosen movie that night. New Zealanders are very proud of that movie. I can't blame them, this country is the best place to film a movie that needs a good countryside.

The next day, We headed up the road to see the Waitomo caves. Why a cave Angela? you may ask. I have no idea friends. Maggie and Jess wanted to see it, and it sounded like fun. What's fun about a cave? Um, a lot of things reader. Like Glowworms. You heard me. There is a cave in New Zealand full of glowworms that hang on the walls and ceilings of the caves and look like blue Christmas lights. it's beautiful. the walk to the water wasn't bad either. Caves are pretty amazing. Jessica is all into them, and I nodded along, all the while thinking, "what is so special about cave? Honestly?" Well, I take it back now. It was pretty awesome. Just the fact that you're walking through tunnels and rooms that were not man made but developed by nature was enough to change my mind.

We then made our way to Mata Mata, or as I like to call it, "Maggie's main reason for coming to New Zealand." there in Mata Mata are tours that take you to Hobbiton where you can wander the hills that Frodo and the guy from Rudy and Ian McKellen traipsed over. Maggie's paradise.

We left Maggie at the drop off. She had to make the excursion alone. If it was free I'd go along, but it was not. Therefore not worth it. We picked her up two hours later then headed down to Rotors.

Rotorua is an interesting place. it is home to a lot of things, like...Hell's Gate. You heard me. apparently New Zealand houses the door to the underworld. So that's where it was! I'm kidding. Hell's Gate is actually a collection of pools containing water, mud, sulphur, geysers, and one mud volcano. And they're all hot and steamy. The minerals in the water help with arthritis, wounds, burns, ailments, lots of things. It was discovered by the Maori people, but it got it's name from George Bernard Shaw when he visited it way back when. it smelled like hard boiled eggs, but you got used to it after awhile. it was pretty cool. We took the walking tour through the pools, but if you had money and enjoyed playing in the mud you could relax in the baths. not the actual pools because I think they would cook you if you entered, but other rooms we couldn't see. I don't know why I felt compelled to explain that to you.

Another thing we did in Rotorua was zorbing. the spell check has decided that is not a word, but it is. Oh, it definitely is. Zorbing is an activity invented in New Zealand that I personally think was inspired by hamsters. You know the plastic balls you put hamsters in so they can roll around without getting lost? Think of those, except bouncy, and you strap a human in them, roll them down a steep hill, and you've got zorbing. it's pretty awesome. and it's safe. Stop worrying mom, I'm still alive, aren't I? Jess and i partook in the event. Maggie took pictures. It was a good time.

oh, and a random note, but we also passed by this building on our drive called Corrugated Creations. Outside it had a few animals and things made out of corrugated iron or metal. We laughed at this, thinking it was silly to have a company that probably didn't get many clients. We rounded the bend to discover that we were wrong. In Tirau, the town nearby, every business had a corrugated creation sign. Even the church. Yes, there was a corrugated Jesus. It was amazing. The signs were cute, and continued even as we left the town. I just wanted to share that gem with you.

So this morning we woke up, and (I've always wanted to say this) drove through sleepy little towns that were just beginning to stir. Sorry, but I never thought I'd be able to do that. Check that off my list of life accomplishments.

All right, I still have some time to kill before check in, but I think I bored you all enough.
Plus I don't have anything else to write.
Well, I do, but it's nothing interesting.
Ok, it is, but I'm saving it for a later post.
It's just facts about Australia. I'll deal with it when I'm back in the country, just to be fair.

Ok, I need to go before I ramble some more.