| In 1990 I was brave
enough to journey to New Zealand to visit some friends of mine, and I spent
three enjoyable weeks there. My friends were very helpful to me, especially
since, back then, I was shy of doing things on my own.
They took me down to
Paihia, at the Bay of Islands and we stayed there for a couple of days.
We went on a boat cruise, through the hole in the rock, which was quite
an experience.
They also took me to
Mt Ruapehu for a few days, which was the first time I saw snow that I could
remember. We made a snowman, and spent a lot of time toboganning down the
slopes. We did not try skiing, as none of us knew how to do it, and we
were not there long enough to learn.
I went on a short trip
by myself, down to the Waitomo Caves and to Rotarua. It was pouring with
rain on the day I was there, and I wandered around the mud pools with my
tourgroup as we all tried desperately to peer through the blowing rain
to see the pools. But it was fun!
While I was there, the
lady I was staying with took me to visit the most beautiful church I have
ever been in. I can’t remember which denomination it was, but it is historic,
so if you go there, you’re sure to find it. One of the best things about
it was a stained glass window it had of Jesus in a Maori robe. It was positioned
to make him look like he was walking across the lake outside.
It was peaceful and wonderful
and I could have spent a lot longer there than I did. I was based in Auckland
during my stay, and I liked it there, too. It’s a beautiful city. I only
toured the North Island during my stay, and I hope someday to tour the
south, as I understand it is even more beautiful.
|
Bay of
Islands
Hole
in the Rock
Mt Ruapehu
Stained
glass window at an
historic church in Rotarua
|
