Kiwis are quite the innovators!

Wow! I can't believe I haven't written in two days... just too busy/tired and lousy internet options. So sorry to any of you who may have been worried! Don't be! Anyway...
I had the most AMAZING day today! I went to the Wai-tau-pu Wonderland thermal park, then I went zorb-ing, next was luging and the skyswing, and finally I spent close to four hours at the wonderful Polynesian Spa (hot water baths)!!!
Ok, let's back up a minute - after Auckland I made my way by bus to Taupo. It's a nice little town on a beautiful lake backed by the mountains that were in the fly over shots in Lord of the Rings. However, since it's still winter here, it was a bit dead and I found myself seeing a few local sites (Huka Falls was unique due to the massive amounts of water) with a personal Maori (indigenous people group of NZ) tour guide! I was the only one who took his shuttle service that day, so he took me around and would wait on me to go to the next site - all the while telling me stories about the town etc. However all I found to do after 5pm was research my next travel options, talk to Mary P on Skype :), and eat a frozen pizza and drink a NZ beer (not great... they're known for their wine) while watching a terrible movie on TV back at the mostly empty hostel. Boo.
Then yesterday morning I hopped a bus to Rotorua, which I was advised by Andy (rainbow colored beanie guy) was nothing special and I could probably just do the hot springs and keep moving. WRONG! I love this town! As soon as I got into town I started walking around trying to get my bearings... let's just say I did an hour loop until I finally found the hostel I was looking for and finally got to put my pack down. Whew! But, the good news was I had a fairly good idea of the layout of the town! Next I made my way to the huge and very helpful "i-site" or information center. I booked a shuttle to go out to Hell's Gate which is a geothermal park of cool craters, boiling water, mud pots, etc. They also have mud baths and a spa... that's really what I was in it for! The mud bath was amazing... and so fun... just wish I'd had someone with me to have a little mud flinging fight, ya know?! I also met a great Maori man who taught me how to carve in their traditional way... got to bring home a few of my attempts! Then I came back and headed off to my first Maori traditional Haka (kinda like a luau). It was FABULOUS! I met this great older couple from Santiago, Chile and had the best meal I've had in weeks (lamb, chicken, homemade bread, steam pudding, and on and on), and the cultural performances were great as well! The intimidating faces their warriors made are seriously scary (eyes wide and jittering back and forth, tattoos, and tongue thrusting), they don't mess around!
Then as I said I had the BEST day today! I have a great French guy I just met staying in my dorm tonight... I met some awesome Kiwis (New Zealanders) at the spa tonight... and I got to take part in two of New Zealands best inventions! Please look up Zorb on the internet... you get to roll/bounce down the hill in a HUGE inflated rubber ball thingy! AMAZING! And the luge, which is a cross between the olympic sport and go kart racing. You go up this amazing mountain with a great view of the lake and the city and then fly down tracks on a little luge/cart thingy. AMAZING! And, I got to go on the Sky Swing... WHOA! I had NO idea what I was getting into... you go in this seat and get lifted WAY up into the air and then when the little guy tells you, you pull the cord and go swinging out over the city and lake (kind of... it feels like it) and you reach 150 km in just 2 seconds! Definitely a rush that rivals bungee jumping! AND, then the spa all evening outdoors in naturally heated pools and for the first time in my life I saw a moonrise... up over the mountains above the lake... no words... just "thank you God for allowing me this opportunity!" I feel so fortunate to be here experiencing this beautiful place!
Goodnight! I have to be up in six hours to start my Blackwater Rafting in Glowworm Caves adventure tomorrow! :)
Kate