the New Zealand/Australia journal
Jun. 20th, 2010 10:18 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ateolfhere it is...i, of course, am including all of my mistakes and spelling errors etc, though i don't think there are a terrible many of them...also, each entry ends with my signature, i'll leave that out, otherwise everything else should be the same...anyway, a glimpse of Robert at 15:
7:45 (New Zealand time) 6/13/94
Dear Journal:
I'll have to start this from 2 days ago (or 3 if you count our traveling a day into to future) because there was no time to write last night (2 nights ago) in the plane. We left the Memphis Airport aprox. at 2:30 (Central time) and went to L.A. (my first time in a plane, wow). We then stayed in that airport for quite some time (a fun-filled 6 hrs. of sitting around and doing nothing), then we left for Auckland NZ, another fun-filled time—sitting in a plane for 12-14 hrs. The flight was okay. I slept pretty good, until we got to Auckland—there was fog. The plane couldn't land so we had to fly down to Christchurch NZ (another hr.) and waited in that airport for 1½ hrs. Then we went back to Auckland. We had lost a lot of time and were pretty late for our first activity today. It was at MERC. There were several activities to choose from. I chose rapelling. My second time down I almost went Australian style (face-first), but at that exact moment it had started to rain plus I was alread late for my next activity there, so I just had to do a quickie normal rapell. We went and played some interesting games like: group square knot, and this game of walking across chairs, I don't know the name, but its hard. Then we traveled back to our hotel, the Hyatt, which is very nice. I am sharing a suite w/ Andy. Then we went down and ate (sort of like a snack-type thing), they had this really good fruit called fajela, and now here I am. It's really great here in Auckland although they are having water problems with its drought, but its still nice,
11:37 (New Zealand Time) 6/14/94
Dear Journal:
Today we left Auckland to Rotarua NZ. We went over to Mt. Ngongothaha where we took the gondolas up to the top and ate lunch where we had a talk from one of the government officials. Next I road down the mountain on a luge (that rocked). I road the luge 4 more times. We need a luge in Memphis, they're the most fun thing to do, although I busted (fell off), but that just makes the ride the more fun (excluding the pain). We went to our hotel where, for the rest of the evening, we had a free day, although by that time (5:30) just about every store was closed, except for 2 normal stores and grocery stores. At one store I bought a rugby ball. At the Pack 'N Save I bought a candy bar (Wispa) and a 1.5 litre of L&P (Lemon & Peoroa) which is very good. Also I forgot to say one more thing. On the road to Rotarua we stopped at a store where I had some kiwi fruit ice cream (also I had my first can of L&P) and I bought some batteries. That made me mad. Never buy batteries if they all come from a basket under the counter unpackaged. I used them and they lasted about 2 hrs. Well now here I am left in my hotel room on my bed with nothing else to say
9:31 (New Zealand Time) 6/15/94
Dear Journal:
An important fact of Rotarua that I amazingly forgot to tell was the smell. Sulfur. A horrible smell that everyone started to get high off of. We experienced it some more today on our fabulous adventures through the land of Rotarua. We went to Rainbow Springs and visited the animals and we went to Rainbow Farms and saw sheep & cows & stuff. I got on a bull, I held a lamb and I milked a cow. Then we went to the Maori arts & crafts place where we saw arts and crafts things. We then went to a Maori village. We had dinner there which was cooked in the ground. Now we are all in the main hall and are all on the floor in the mattreses where we will go to sleep.
10:51 (New Zealand Time) 6/16/94
Dear Journal:
Now I'm In Whitianga, NZ (pronounced Fitianga). Today we left the village & went to the bush. We met Doug Johansen ("Kiwi Dundee"). I like him: in the sense that he's funny & friendly. We saw glowworms in the eaves & also large wetters ("bed wetters" they called them) which are large cricket-like insects that are on cave ceilings. After there we went here & we haven't done much since. I guess that's all I have to say. Not much, although going through the bush was one of the greatest things I have ever done.
7:41 (New Zealand Time) 6/18/94
Dear Journal:
I had to write this morning rather than last night because I was too tired then (as if I'm not tired now). Yesterday we started off the morning by climbing up Whitianga Rock which used to be a Maori fortress (but not like we would think a fortress to be). We then walked over to this beach where we swung off a rope (that was fun). Next we went out on a glass bottom boat. Our group was the only one that saw dolphins. That was really great! Then we ate lungh (wow). After we went to Cathedral Beach. We took a boat to a different beach from where we went sea biscuting (tubing). That was fun! That about sums up my fun-filled day. Mostly because I've run out of things to say.
8:52 (New Zealand Time) 6/19/94
Dear Journal:
I've done it again. I was too tired to write last night so I'm writing this morning. Yesterday (& at the moment as well) was our homestays. Our family (the Maxwells) we nice & hospitable. Ryce (their 13 year old son) took us around Cambridge (not much) & we went to a lake. Then we walked home. We didn't do much then, because all the shops were closed (5:00 P.M.). We had dinner (tea) at their house (the best meal so far). We watched some t.v. then (a little Baywatch & we saw their version [New Zealand's version] of the Academy Awards). Then I went to sleep. I woke up, showered, & ate breakfast. That about sums up my day.
7:06 (Australian Time) 6/21/94
Dear Journal:
Whoops! I didn't write for the day before yesterday. Also again I forgot to write at night so I'm writing this morning. This is a bad habit I'll probobly keep for the rest of this trip. Also I forgot to write a few things about the last entry: before we went to the homestays we went to the geothermal beach. We had trouble digging a hot water tub, because of the tide so we just stuck our feet in the sand & burnt our toes. Then I went body surfing (sort of) there. Now about the day before yesterday. We didn't do anything much. We left homestays & went back to Auckland for a free day. Shops don't open on Sundays in New Zealand so Melisa, Cecelia, & I went down to Victoria Park Market, an open sort of marketplace with a lot of shops that were actually open. The reason I didn't write was because I was on the phone w/ Cicelia until 2:30 AM (New Zealand time). Then we come to yesterday. Yesterday. That's all I have to say, besides that it sucked. We went over to the Meritime Museum & (after I woke up late at 8:15 [breakfast started at 8]). Then to the Underwater world. & then to the Auckland Zoo. After we flew to Sydney where we are now. Everyone has been ill tempered this past day. It just seems that nothing seemed to go right. I guess that's all I've got to say.
8:41 (Australian Time) 6/22/94
Dear Journal:
I guess yesterday's not much of a day to write about. First thing we did was go to the Powerhouse Museum. That was pretty fun. I was jammin' on the electronic drums in the music section. Then we went over to the Australian wildlife refuge. I pet the koalas & kangaroos. Then we went on a dinner cruize in the Sydney harbour. I guess that's all I've got to say. . . not much.
8:34 (Australian Time) 6/23/94
Dear Journal:
Yesterday was fun. We went over to Mowbray Park. First we split up in groups. My group (Emus) went over on a tractor ride first. We went over to the farm place where we: fed goats (they almost killed us), milked a cow (again), & Cracked a whip. Next we went horseback riding (my first time). After that was our free time. Then we went boomerang throwing (I'm okay at it, but not good). Last thing we did was had a fire & they were playing songs (the band). One thing we did was the hoky pokey. After they were done Chris decided to jam on the guitarist's guitar. He was pretty good. And I guess I've run out of stuff to say.
10:30 (Australian Time) 6/23/94
Dear Journal:
I can't believe it! I actually got around to writing in the journal at night! Wow! Well, not much happened today, I'm afraid. It was our free day. Some friends & I went around shopping. That's about all I have to say about that. Then we met back at the hotel at 5:15 & went to Hard Rock Cafe. We only had 1 hr. there, not much. 1st I bought some stuff for my sister, my mom, and me. Then I ate. There were no more rooms at the table for me, so I had to eat at the bar; therefore, I was of the last to be served my meal. I had aprox. 7-10 min. to eat, not much time. I didn't get quite finished. After my good (but slightly brief) meal, I went to the Sydney Opera House where we saw the Sydney Symphony Orchestra play. They were very good. I enjoyed the concert thourgholy. I guess that's all I'm left with to say (much more than I had expected, I guess I could have been wrong about not much happening, oh well.)
8:07 (Australian Time) 6/25/94
Dear Journal:
I didn't do it. I guess it just couldn't last. Well, writing in my journal that last night was just a 1 time thing. Oh well! Yesterday we went to Darling Harbour & shopped for 4 hrs. Then we went to the Sydney Opera House (again for me) & took a tour. We didn't do much the rest of the day. Although at dinner we ate at some Some American restraunt. I could talk about this morning, but I'll just have to wait until next entry which we be about today. I guess that's all I'm left with to say.
4:38 (Australian Time) 6/28/94
Dear Journal:
Whoops! I've slipped. Haven't written in a while. Three days ago we left for Townsville. We woke up at about 4 in the morning, and flew to Townsville. We then took the ferry to Magnetic Island. We watched some slide shows on the reefs & took some swimming practice. We didn't do much else that day. At night a whole bunch of opossums came up to us & we got to feed them (they were wild too). Also at night some friends & I sat atop a rock & looked at the stars. The next day we watched more slides & practiced snorkling. We also had a talk on the beach. We mostly had free time that day. I climbed to the top of a huge hill in the back of our motel. & did some rock climbing. The next day we did a little snorkling. We had some shopping time too. We were going to go on a walk up a hill, but a few others & I (5 including me) decided to walk back to the motel instead (we got our excercise). Then we had free time. Later last night we had a talent show. It was pretty funny. I had a good time. One of the staff (David J.) played guitar for some people who sang. He's good. He has an album out. I bought a copy from him & he autographed it. That about sums up those last 3 days.
10:44 (Australian Time) 6/29/94
Dear Journal:
I didn't write last night, but at least I didn't skip any days. We woke up pretty early & left for the Great Barrier Reef. We were on a long boat ride. I went scuba diving. It was great! We stayed there for a while. Next we came back to an aquarium. We took a tour there. We all walked around & we were dead tired when we did it. There were some interesting things, but we were glad to go to sleep. That's all I've got left to say.
5:30 (Australian Time) 6/30/94
Dear Journal:
Yesterday, we didn't do much. We went to a wildlife park. Then we had a short stop at some marine place & I got to pick up some stuff (I think the sea cucumber excreted on me). Then we went to our hotel. Later that night there was a dance & I got to D.J. a little. That was about all I did yesterday.
7:45 (New Zealand time) 6/13/94
Dear Journal:
I'll have to start this from 2 days ago (or 3 if you count our traveling a day into to future) because there was no time to write last night (2 nights ago) in the plane. We left the Memphis Airport aprox. at 2:30 (Central time) and went to L.A. (my first time in a plane, wow). We then stayed in that airport for quite some time (a fun-filled 6 hrs. of sitting around and doing nothing), then we left for Auckland NZ, another fun-filled time—sitting in a plane for 12-14 hrs. The flight was okay. I slept pretty good, until we got to Auckland—there was fog. The plane couldn't land so we had to fly down to Christchurch NZ (another hr.) and waited in that airport for 1½ hrs. Then we went back to Auckland. We had lost a lot of time and were pretty late for our first activity today. It was at MERC. There were several activities to choose from. I chose rapelling. My second time down I almost went Australian style (face-first), but at that exact moment it had started to rain plus I was alread late for my next activity there, so I just had to do a quickie normal rapell. We went and played some interesting games like: group square knot, and this game of walking across chairs, I don't know the name, but its hard. Then we traveled back to our hotel, the Hyatt, which is very nice. I am sharing a suite w/ Andy. Then we went down and ate (sort of like a snack-type thing), they had this really good fruit called fajela, and now here I am. It's really great here in Auckland although they are having water problems with its drought, but its still nice,
11:37 (New Zealand Time) 6/14/94
Dear Journal:
Today we left Auckland to Rotarua NZ. We went over to Mt. Ngongothaha where we took the gondolas up to the top and ate lunch where we had a talk from one of the government officials. Next I road down the mountain on a luge (that rocked). I road the luge 4 more times. We need a luge in Memphis, they're the most fun thing to do, although I busted (fell off), but that just makes the ride the more fun (excluding the pain). We went to our hotel where, for the rest of the evening, we had a free day, although by that time (5:30) just about every store was closed, except for 2 normal stores and grocery stores. At one store I bought a rugby ball. At the Pack 'N Save I bought a candy bar (Wispa) and a 1.5 litre of L&P (Lemon & Peoroa) which is very good. Also I forgot to say one more thing. On the road to Rotarua we stopped at a store where I had some kiwi fruit ice cream (also I had my first can of L&P) and I bought some batteries. That made me mad. Never buy batteries if they all come from a basket under the counter unpackaged. I used them and they lasted about 2 hrs. Well now here I am left in my hotel room on my bed with nothing else to say
9:31 (New Zealand Time) 6/15/94
Dear Journal:
An important fact of Rotarua that I amazingly forgot to tell was the smell. Sulfur. A horrible smell that everyone started to get high off of. We experienced it some more today on our fabulous adventures through the land of Rotarua. We went to Rainbow Springs and visited the animals and we went to Rainbow Farms and saw sheep & cows & stuff. I got on a bull, I held a lamb and I milked a cow. Then we went to the Maori arts & crafts place where we saw arts and crafts things. We then went to a Maori village. We had dinner there which was cooked in the ground. Now we are all in the main hall and are all on the floor in the mattreses where we will go to sleep.
10:51 (New Zealand Time) 6/16/94
Dear Journal:
Now I'm In Whitianga, NZ (pronounced Fitianga). Today we left the village & went to the bush. We met Doug Johansen ("Kiwi Dundee"). I like him: in the sense that he's funny & friendly. We saw glowworms in the eaves & also large wetters ("bed wetters" they called them) which are large cricket-like insects that are on cave ceilings. After there we went here & we haven't done much since. I guess that's all I have to say. Not much, although going through the bush was one of the greatest things I have ever done.
7:41 (New Zealand Time) 6/18/94
Dear Journal:
I had to write this morning rather than last night because I was too tired then (as if I'm not tired now). Yesterday we started off the morning by climbing up Whitianga Rock which used to be a Maori fortress (but not like we would think a fortress to be). We then walked over to this beach where we swung off a rope (that was fun). Next we went out on a glass bottom boat. Our group was the only one that saw dolphins. That was really great! Then we ate lungh (wow). After we went to Cathedral Beach. We took a boat to a different beach from where we went sea biscuting (tubing). That was fun! That about sums up my fun-filled day. Mostly because I've run out of things to say.
8:52 (New Zealand Time) 6/19/94
Dear Journal:
I've done it again. I was too tired to write last night so I'm writing this morning. Yesterday (& at the moment as well) was our homestays. Our family (the Maxwells) we nice & hospitable. Ryce (their 13 year old son) took us around Cambridge (not much) & we went to a lake. Then we walked home. We didn't do much then, because all the shops were closed (5:00 P.M.). We had dinner (tea) at their house (the best meal so far). We watched some t.v. then (a little Baywatch & we saw their version [New Zealand's version] of the Academy Awards). Then I went to sleep. I woke up, showered, & ate breakfast. That about sums up my day.
7:06 (Australian Time) 6/21/94
Dear Journal:
Whoops! I didn't write for the day before yesterday. Also again I forgot to write at night so I'm writing this morning. This is a bad habit I'll probobly keep for the rest of this trip. Also I forgot to write a few things about the last entry: before we went to the homestays we went to the geothermal beach. We had trouble digging a hot water tub, because of the tide so we just stuck our feet in the sand & burnt our toes. Then I went body surfing (sort of) there. Now about the day before yesterday. We didn't do anything much. We left homestays & went back to Auckland for a free day. Shops don't open on Sundays in New Zealand so Melisa, Cecelia, & I went down to Victoria Park Market, an open sort of marketplace with a lot of shops that were actually open. The reason I didn't write was because I was on the phone w/ Cicelia until 2:30 AM (New Zealand time). Then we come to yesterday. Yesterday. That's all I have to say, besides that it sucked. We went over to the Meritime Museum & (after I woke up late at 8:15 [breakfast started at 8]). Then to the Underwater world. & then to the Auckland Zoo. After we flew to Sydney where we are now. Everyone has been ill tempered this past day. It just seems that nothing seemed to go right. I guess that's all I've got to say.
8:41 (Australian Time) 6/22/94
Dear Journal:
I guess yesterday's not much of a day to write about. First thing we did was go to the Powerhouse Museum. That was pretty fun. I was jammin' on the electronic drums in the music section. Then we went over to the Australian wildlife refuge. I pet the koalas & kangaroos. Then we went on a dinner cruize in the Sydney harbour. I guess that's all I've got to say. . . not much.
8:34 (Australian Time) 6/23/94
Dear Journal:
Yesterday was fun. We went over to Mowbray Park. First we split up in groups. My group (Emus) went over on a tractor ride first. We went over to the farm place where we: fed goats (they almost killed us), milked a cow (again), & Cracked a whip. Next we went horseback riding (my first time). After that was our free time. Then we went boomerang throwing (I'm okay at it, but not good). Last thing we did was had a fire & they were playing songs (the band). One thing we did was the hoky pokey. After they were done Chris decided to jam on the guitarist's guitar. He was pretty good. And I guess I've run out of stuff to say.
10:30 (Australian Time) 6/23/94
Dear Journal:
I can't believe it! I actually got around to writing in the journal at night! Wow! Well, not much happened today, I'm afraid. It was our free day. Some friends & I went around shopping. That's about all I have to say about that. Then we met back at the hotel at 5:15 & went to Hard Rock Cafe. We only had 1 hr. there, not much. 1st I bought some stuff for my sister, my mom, and me. Then I ate. There were no more rooms at the table for me, so I had to eat at the bar; therefore, I was of the last to be served my meal. I had aprox. 7-10 min. to eat, not much time. I didn't get quite finished. After my good (but slightly brief) meal, I went to the Sydney Opera House where we saw the Sydney Symphony Orchestra play. They were very good. I enjoyed the concert thourgholy. I guess that's all I'm left with to say (much more than I had expected, I guess I could have been wrong about not much happening, oh well.)
8:07 (Australian Time) 6/25/94
Dear Journal:
I didn't do it. I guess it just couldn't last. Well, writing in my journal that last night was just a 1 time thing. Oh well! Yesterday we went to Darling Harbour & shopped for 4 hrs. Then we went to the Sydney Opera House (again for me) & took a tour. We didn't do much the rest of the day. Although at dinner we ate at some Some American restraunt. I could talk about this morning, but I'll just have to wait until next entry which we be about today. I guess that's all I'm left with to say.
4:38 (Australian Time) 6/28/94
Dear Journal:
Whoops! I've slipped. Haven't written in a while. Three days ago we left for Townsville. We woke up at about 4 in the morning, and flew to Townsville. We then took the ferry to Magnetic Island. We watched some slide shows on the reefs & took some swimming practice. We didn't do much else that day. At night a whole bunch of opossums came up to us & we got to feed them (they were wild too). Also at night some friends & I sat atop a rock & looked at the stars. The next day we watched more slides & practiced snorkling. We also had a talk on the beach. We mostly had free time that day. I climbed to the top of a huge hill in the back of our motel. & did some rock climbing. The next day we did a little snorkling. We had some shopping time too. We were going to go on a walk up a hill, but a few others & I (5 including me) decided to walk back to the motel instead (we got our excercise). Then we had free time. Later last night we had a talent show. It was pretty funny. I had a good time. One of the staff (David J.) played guitar for some people who sang. He's good. He has an album out. I bought a copy from him & he autographed it. That about sums up those last 3 days.
10:44 (Australian Time) 6/29/94
Dear Journal:
I didn't write last night, but at least I didn't skip any days. We woke up pretty early & left for the Great Barrier Reef. We were on a long boat ride. I went scuba diving. It was great! We stayed there for a while. Next we came back to an aquarium. We took a tour there. We all walked around & we were dead tired when we did it. There were some interesting things, but we were glad to go to sleep. That's all I've got left to say.
5:30 (Australian Time) 6/30/94
Dear Journal:
Yesterday, we didn't do much. We went to a wildlife park. Then we had a short stop at some marine place & I got to pick up some stuff (I think the sea cucumber excreted on me). Then we went to our hotel. Later that night there was a dance & I got to D.J. a little. That was about all I did yesterday.
