After we left the Marae, we headed to National Park Village and stayed in a hostel there for the night. The next morning, we got picked up to go to Blue Mountain Adventure Center in Raurimu, the next stop on our journey. We started off the afternoon with a few team building activities, involving tires and planks of wood and wooden mushrooms, and then we did a high ropes course where we bonded through conquering fears and supporting each other. The next day, we went on a short hike to Taranaki Falls, where we rappelled down the rock face right next to the waterfall! We also had the opportunity to have some solo time in the comfortable ferns of the area, taking in the beautiful scenery. We then stopped by a ski lodge area, where one of the scenes from Lord of the Rings was filmed (whoo!).
The next morning, we dressed up in wetsuits and went white-water rafting down the Whakepapanui River, which was a lot of fun. Some of us even did some self-guided rafting (scary, but it worked out okay–no worries š ). After we got back from rafting, we were mysteriously told to pack our big packs for a night in the woods, which we ended up spending on our own, alone in the woods.Ā It was a challenge for some of us, but we made it through the night (in silence, too). In the morning, we came back together as a group and hiked back to Blue Mountain. That afternoon, we went caving, which involved a lot of tight squeezes, like Pooh Bear’s Crack and the Birth Canal Chute.
The next day, due to intense gale-force winds, we had to forego rafting for a second time, and instead we started off the day with another team-building exercise, where we transported a block of cement across the underbelly of a bridge and along the road back to the lodge. In the afternoon, we gave back to the beautiful Blue Mountain Adventure Center by lugging wood and sewing/ironing holes in the wetsuits.
From Blue Mountain, we headed to Wellington, where we spent one full day exploring the city, including the amazing Te Papa Museum, the national museum of New Zealand. This morning, we flew into Queenstown, where we’re currently updating you from Pinewood Lodge. Tomorrow, we’re off to free travel adventures down near Dunedin/Otago Peninsula š
But before we go, we just want to send some love and appreciation to our loved ones back home…look for your child’s/sibling’s/friend’s name and feel the love!
Ben: During the last 6 weeks of being away from my home, I’ve learned to appreciate a lot about my parents. Mom, I can’t wait for your advice again. Dad, I miss your goofy sense of humor that makes me smile every day.
Anna: Hi Mommy and Daddy! I love and miss you both and appreciate all of your love and support, even from hundreds of miles away via email. I’m so thankful that we’re still close, even though you’re farther away now. Also, MEEEEM (hopefully you’re reading this so I don’t look so dumb), I love you! You’reĀ the best sister anyone could ever ask for. Thanks for your prayers š Wish you all could be with me as I travel and experience all these new things!
Zack: Mom, even though we haven’t lived together for some time now, being on this trip has opened my eyes to really how much you mean to me and how important you are in my life. I look forward to the next time we talk because we are so much alike. I couldn’t have asked for a better mother. I appreciate everything you have done, and you are an inspiration to me.
Dad, you teach me what it means to be a young man, and you are an inspiration for me. Our open and honest conversations have been a driving force in my life, and for that, I appreciate you and for taking care of me and making me take care of myself. I couldn’t have asked for a better father.
Simone: Mama, thank you for supporting me in everything I do, no matter how crazy it is. Thank you for crying with me and letting me talk your ear off at all hours of the night. You are a friend, a mentor, and a mom.
Daddio-you are so levelheaded, fun, and inspire me always to pursue my dreams. I love your positive nature-I always feel so happy and grateful for life after talking to you. Thanks for also keeping me in check and being real. Love you!
Maddie: Shoutout to my favorite homies, Dadio, TayRay, Beans, Bubba, and Riley. I miss you guys like you wouldn’t believe; not a day passes where you all don’t cross my mind. Every time I leave, I regain so much appreciation for you all. Dad…I could not be happier and prouder that you are my dad. Every day, I think of how supportive you have been in my life choices (and I’m not talking about dreadlocks and piercings-would this be a good time to tell you about my tattoo? JK). In the past, you have helped me find my way through so many decisions, and without you, I wouldn’t be in this amazing place that I am. I am the luckiest girl to have you guys as my family. AND BEN, THE BEST BIG BROTHER IN THE WHOLE WORLD. I brag about you every day and always think of you when I do something and think how you would love it. Congrats on getting the job at Yale, that is absolutely insane. I miss you way too much, and you better be livin’ it up at home. TayRay-I miss you so much,Ā and any time I bring up the wedding, I get asked how do I approve and I just say I feel like it has been like that since day 1, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I have been so lucky to have you in my life and can’t wait until you are officially part of the family (even though you already are). I also laugh thinking how many times you’ve had to help me with CRAZY situations, and I thank you endlessly for that. I love you all and can’t wait to reunite. Give Bubba and Ri a kiss for me. Much love, Madds.
Ori: Hey family, it’s me, Ori. I hope you remember me. I just wanted to let you know how amazing you all are. Mom, Dad, you two couldn’t be better parents. Nothing can surpass the amount of love you’ve given me throughout my whole life, but this trip is a close second. This has been an unforgettable experience, and I’ll never be able to thank you enough. Brother, At, Tal, and Yay, you all are the best siblings I could ever ask for, and I miss you all very much. I’ll see you in a couple weeks.
Love, Ori
P.S. Say hi to Lucy Beagle, Cholley, Sammay, and Lillay
Brian: Mommy, I appreciate the wonderful love and the reminders. Dad, I hope you’re enjoying your retirement. Peace.
Molly: Hey Daddy! Just wanted to say thanks for everything you’ve done for me. I appreciate you so much for always being there to help me and trying to understand me. You supported me so much in planning this trip, and it really helped me see how encouraging you are and how much you want for me in life. I know I take you for granted sometimes and I want you to know how much I love you. I miss you! Say hi to fatty and the little one! -Mo
Hey Mum! Thank you for supporting me and helping me so much in getting ready for the trip. I couldn’t have done it without you! Thank you for staying calm and being there always to talk things out with over cheese and wine. I love you and appreciate the time you give me!
Morgan: Hey Mom and Dad, it’s been a while since I’ve actually talked to either of you, but I’m having a great time on this trip so far. I just wanted to say that I appreciate both of you always being so understanding and so flexible with me. Sometimes I think I take for granted how great you guys have been to me. You’ve never pressured me into doing something that I’m not comfortable with. Thank you for always encouraging me and supporting me. I love you guys and I miss you. Say hello to Moe for me…oh, and Sean too.
Love, Morgan
Annie: Mom-Hope the upper right side of H.Y.P. is treating you well. This trip has made me appreciate our special friendship and the amazing memories we’ve shared. Not a day goes by where you don’t pop into my head. I can’t wait for you to come to Nananu and to spend the summer together. I love you to pieces. Muskie, Buskie, lovies, and abovies. xoxo
Dad-Thank you so much for this amazing trip and all the opportunities you have given me. I miss you so much and think about you all the time. Hope you had a great time in Switzerland. Love you to pieces.
Rucy-I saw duckies today-thought of you.
Love you Sam, Zambi, Gpadz and Grandmother
Katie: Lucy K and Daddyo: Hi guys! I don’t think I will ever be able to describe how much I love you both so I am not going to try. But I know that having both of you as parents makes me the luckiest girl in the world. Thank you both for supporting me in everything and being the most kind and understanding people ever. This trip wouldn’t have been possible without you both-I am having the time of my life thanks to you guys! I love you both more than you know. xoxoxo
Skyeler: loves his family.