I’m trying to smile.

“Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”

There is dispute over the source of this quote.  Many people believe that it is a Dr. Seuss quote, but that can’t be verified.  It doesn’t matter.  For me, my mom said it.

After a particularly tearful few hours I emailed my mom, telling her of the leaky faucets that seem to have replaced my eyes.  In her perfect mom way she wrote me an email giving me just the advice that I needed.  And she told me “don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”  Of course, I read that and started crying.  But, I have really been trying to smile.

Yesterday was one of the best days of my life.  I spent the entire day with my very best friends from Khon Kaen.  Kar’s mom took all of us out on the river for the day, on a boat very similar to Josh’s.  We packed up three full cars and a truck bed with people, food and drinks.  We left the apartments a little after 8 am and drove about 45 minutes to the river.  The karaoke started, the sun was blaring and I was surrounded by my best friends.  It was perfect.  

Hours later, just before we started to head back down the river, Kar’s mom gave the karaoke a rest so she could make a speech.  It wasn’t until she started talking, and then invited me to stand with her, did I realize she had planned the whole day for me.  She did it all for me.  I thought I just happened to be lucky enough to still be in town for the trip, but I was wrong.  She had been planning it while I was in New Zealand.  She threw me the most perfect going away party.  Ever.  

We were back in Khon Kaen a little before 6, just in time to watch one of the more beautiful sunsets I have seen.  And, a little before 10 Paul and Kar drove me to the bus station.  As we sat, waiting for my bus, we were all quiet.  None of us knew what to say.  Or how to say anything without getting too emotional.  We loaded my bags onto the bus and the time had come.  It was like a movie.  The bus attendant stood at the door, holding my ticket, waiting for me.  Everyone was on the bus, and she stood there waiting as I said my tearful goodbyes.  

I cried myself to sleep on the bus.  

And as I am writing this at my gate, I am crying.  

I’m trying really hard to smile.  I am so happy it happened.  But, I am also very sad that it’s over.  Very, very sad.  

“OH MY GOOOSHHHHHH!”

No, I did not tell my mother I was going bungy jumping.  It was all part of my plan.  

I knew that if I told her I was planning to bungy jump a few things would happen.  First, she would be worried.  Second, she would tell me that she was worried.  Next, she would express her concern and fear of me jumping.  And lastly, I would become nervous and worried because my mom had told me how nervous she was.  I thought it through, and it wasn’t worth it.  I knew I would be fine, and why would I put her through the stress and worry?

The day before I jumped I wandered around the town and out to the spot to see just how high and scary it was.

I wish I needed to go to the bathroom just to say I used the SuperLoo!

The platform from where I will jump!  Pretty high and pretty scary!

An open house for 45 minutes?  Really?

The sunset on Lake Taupo.

The next morning I got up, didn’t eat breakfast, and immediately went to jump.  I signed my waiver, paid my fee, was weighed, and was given my pass.  

The guys working the jump asked if I wanted to dunk in the water.  After asking my options for the dunk, I chose only to dunk my hands and my head in the water.  As I waddled to put my toes over the edge the guy with the hat told me just to fall forward.  I thought he was kidding!  He wasn’t even going to count for me?!  My heart started to race.  I waited... and waited... and waited.  After I felt I had waited an eternity, I fell.  

Here is the video!

As I have already been mocked for, yes, I screamed “Oh my gosh!” as I fell.  And then I giggled.  Guilty.

And no, I didn’t end up being dunked in the water.  I guess it isn’t a perfect science.

After receiving my certificate and DVD, I was off to spend the rest of my day exploring.

I walked on a trail along the Waikato River toward Huka Falls.  I came across a hot spring feeding into the river.  The steaming water provided the perfect hot tub for a group of people to lounge and drink beer.  It looked quite pleasant, but without a bathing suit, I kept walking.

2.8 kilometers later, I came to Huka Falls, the most visited natural attraction in New Zealand.  While the falls are only about 9 meters high, the amount of water rushing over the falls is what makes it so impressive.  220,000 liters per second, or enough to fill 5 olympic swimming pools per minute, pass over the falls.

I was most impressed by the color.  The water was crystal clear along the river, and bright blue at the falls.

Can you see how clear the water is?

My new friend, Rene.  He came with me for my jump and to Huka Falls.

After the falls I continued walking.  I went out to Craters of the Moon, a strange geothermal area.  It seemed almost movie- like as I walked into the park.  Steam was rising from all directions.  And as I walked along the trail I could hear hissing, bubbling, and groaning from deep below the ground.

On the walk back it started to rain, and it wasn't very fun anymore.

But seeing the falls again was pretty nice!

And finding silly signs like this one is always fun!

Another two days well spent.

The one when I hiked A LOT of kilometers

My trip to National Park began bright and early.  I left on the train to Wellington very early in the morning to get on the 7:45 am bus.  The bus ride was comfortable and uneventful, and the seat next to me was empty!  The trip was off to a great start.  

I had to switch busses in the town of Bulls, a town that takes its name to the extreme.

When I arrived in National Park, I had expected a small town, but I didn’t expect a town that small.  The town consisted of one restaurant, one cafe, one bar, one general store and numerous guesthouses and hotels.  I grabbed lunch at the cafe and continued to read Ender’s Game, the book that I was completely hooked on.  

I eventually went back to the lodge and booked my trip to the Tongariro Crossing the next day.  There were two girls in the lounge watching Lord of the Rings, and I joined them.  I decided that if I would continue to see more and more spots from the movies, I should at least know what the movies were about.  As most of you probably know, movies and I do not mix well.  Needless to say, I was asleep within about thirty minutes.  I didn’t see the pinnacles, Rivendell or Mount Doom.  I only saw Elijah Wood looking awkward and small and all hobbit-y.

After hiring a pair of tramping boots I called it an early night in preparation for the hike.

I left on the eight o’clock shuttle to the start of the crossing.  My lunch was packed, my water bottles were filled, I was covered in sunscreen and multiple layers of clothing, and I was as ready as I would ever be.

19.4 kilometers to go.

The hike was unlike any hike I had done before.  I am very used to hiking in the woods, surrounded by trees, only to have a view at the summit.  But, I have never hiked in an area of volcanic activity.  Every step I took on the volcanic rock provided a new and amazing view.

Minor traffic jam at the start of the trail.

Well done, Department of Conservation.  I like the way you work.

Yikes, only 4 km down?  This is going to be a long day!

Merry Christmas!

At the summit I came across the red crater, just as the fog was setting in.

Suddenly, through the fog, I saw the emerald lakes.  They were just stunning.  The photos don’t even do justice to the color of the water.

I also stood in snow for the first time in just under three years!

9 km down, and I'm still excited!

More than halfway!  Yay!

From 4 kilometers in, there was a marker at every kilometer.  I was very excited to see the 17 km marker!  But after that marker I walked.  And walked.  And walked.  I felt as though I had gone crazy.  This must be the longest kilometer of my life!  I was so close, yet I was still so far.  Then, bam!  The trail was over.  Oh, Department of Conservation, you are such jokesters!  You didn’t mark the last 2 km, and you definitely fooled me!

I was quite grateful when the end of the trail arrived.  It was an incredible hike, and I would highly recommend it.  There is no questioning why this is considered the greatest one day hike in New Zealand!

My Life in Twos

Paekakariki is calm, relaxing, beautiful and absolutely perfect in so many ways.  But, after a wonderful weekend in Palliser Bay, I knew that I needed to make plans to travel.  As wonderful as Paekakariki was, I realized I would regret not seeing more of the country.  

With the help of Keith, Jennifer’s coworker, and a Lonely Planet guidebook I planned my trip on Monday.  I decided to visit National Park, a very small town about four hours north of Wellington.  From there I would have the chance to hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing.  After that, I would continue north to Taupo to bungy jump in one of the more touristy locations on the north island.  The last stop of my trip would be to Rotorua, known for its strong Maori culture and its geothermal activity.

When I explained my trip plans to Jennifer and Michael, I noticed my pattern.

Two days in Paekakariki and Wellington.

Two days in National Park.

Two days in Taupo.

Two days in Rotorua.

As I saw this pattern falling into place, I continued explaining my plans.

After Rotorua, two days in Paekakariki.

Fly back to Thailand.

Two days in Thailand.

Fly back to New York.

Two days in New York.

Fly out to Arizona.

And finally, the two night stand habit would be broken.  Here is to a busy few weeks!