Australasia is a grouping of nations used to refer to Australia and New Zealand. Both countries are part of Oceania.
Australia is the only country that has a whole continent to itself. World famous for its natural wonders and wide open spaces, its beaches, deserts, "the bush", and "the Outback", Australia is actually one of the world's most highly urbanised countries. It is also well known for the cosmopolitan attractions of its large cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.
New Zealand is known in the native Maori language as Aotearoa, often translated as The land of the long white cloud.
New Zealand is a country of stunning and diverse natural beauty which includes: jagged mountains, steep fiords, pristine lakes, raging rivers, scenic beaches, and active volcanic features. The islands are one of Earth's richest flora zones and is inhabited by some unique fauna, including many flightless birds such as the kiwi, which is the national symbol.
A list of contributors is available at the original article on Wikitravel. This text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 license.
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Scanned old picture in 1988. We called this rock "Ayres Rock". Currently it is called "Uluru". アボリジニの元に戻ったウルルにはもう登らない方がよい。
Fiji
The Late 1960's...While attending Qantas 2 week Traffic Handling course in Sydney; the return trip included a transit stop in Nadi. I knew There was a chance of being offloaded as the flight was full. Well matter of fact, I was. While the airport was on one side of the island, the resort area was in Suva. I was put up in the Staff building for the night, the next Qantas flight was a day later, however Air New Zealand DC-8 to which we handled in HNL was the next available flight out of Nadi. Previously meeting and being in contact with the executive offices of Air New Zealand on a friendly basis, I skipped breakfast and headed to Nadi airport and to the Qantas counter. Of course they just could not believe that a fairly new staff member, no less been on a Sydney Handling course knew anyone from another carrier. After several phones calls, they finally gave in, and called Auckland, stating a Mr. C. Bell from QF HNL would like to speak to Mr. who would like to get on your flight tonight from Nadi/HNL, as we have no authority to issue a non-rev ticket for him, Mr. Bell requested to speak to him. The person on the other end of the phone call said, one moment please; let me transfer this call to his office. A brief explanation of the call was given and the next thing you know, she hung the phone up and said. "how in the world did you meet him." Yes, getting off the airplane in HNL had shock a lot of my peers.
By: Charles Bell
Australia
My wife and i went to Australia and visited several different areas. We started in Sydney where we went to the Blue Mountains and saw the 5 sisters. We had a a very nice time there. We then went to Ulurru (Ayers Rock) which was amazing. I didn't think a piece of rock could turn so many colors. We also went out to dinner in the Outback away from everything and had native foods including kangaroo. they had a program about the stars and i have never seen so many stars. I now know why they call it the Miiky Way. You see stars and all around the back of them is a very dim lit sky which are more stars. We also went to the Hostel hotel and cooked our own steaks. They tasted great. Then we flew onto to Alice Springs for a short layover. We went into town, saw quite a few aborigines, shopped and saw some road trains. i would definitely stay away from them. We flew onto Cairns and went to the Great Barrier Reef. it is absolutely amazing. We took a Catamaran and got a chance to sail back. It was so relaxing. Another amazing site were all the Flying Foxes that came in every night while we were in Cairns. I have never seen such huge flying bats.
By: Mike Edwards
Australia
Soo australia is pretty awesome, I'm basically in love with it, but it's sooo different from north america...soo different, they don't even have graham crackers...so they don't know what smore's are, it was actually pretty depressing. They have a totally different way of talking and NO ONE says "throw a shrimp on the barbie" haha pretty much my favrotie slang word i learned over there is "bogan" which pretty much means white trash...in australian? the toiletes DO flush backwards, it's pretty weird? I guess haha umm the seasons are opposite from us, which is really annoying like i went in our summer, so it was winter there and it was pretty cold. Koala's are WICKED soft and same with kangaroos. my favorite place I went would deffinitly have to be byron bay <3 and I noticed that alot of guys over there have woman's names...for example; kym is my cousins landlord and he's a guy with a girl name...odd. everything is super expensive over there, so if you go be prepared to cash out some mega $$$. Food is a killer...because it's soo expensive! but it's like...you have to spend money or...die of starvation? alcohol is very expensive so just stick to goon (boxed wine) and you'll be all set cause its like $10 a box whoopie. Make sure you watch some rugby before you head over to AUS because they <3 their rigby ovah thur. Also make sure if your gonna drive you make sure you know what your a doin' cause they drive on the oppostie side of the road from us..haha. p.s. the transportation system is awesome over there, so make sure you get your bus pass and touch on...but dont forget to touch off! p.s. iced coffee over there almost always has ice cream in it, so don't be surprised if you've got some vanilla ice floatin around in your coffe, umm also go to Grill'd for lunch cause it's like the best place ever. Deffinitly make sure that you spend at least one night in a hostel because they are wonderful, and everyone there is soo friendly, if you are in byron bay MAKE SURE YOU CHECK OUT CHEEKY MONKEYS its a resturant and 3am party bar, seriously when I say this, you will have the time of your life...SO GO, australia <3 !! Also make sure that you watch out for spiders, because they are massive over there..and they are poisionous. Also the bats there are huge! and they are not affriad to fly over you..or into you, it's scary. the kookobura is SO loud..the whole time i was there i thought i was in jurassice park because this bird sounds insane, like a dinosaur...im not kidding..you tube it! its nuts. australia is very different from anywhere i've ever gone, no one locks their doors, everyone leaves doors open, there tropical birds everywhere, light switches are different, door knobs are different and ohh yeah! electric outlets are different...so if you have american appliances...aka hair straightener, blow dryer, phone charger, lap top charger...anything! make sure you get an outlet converter (you can buy them in australia too) because your appliances will not work over there, and wont even plug into the wall haha very important to know. p.s. everyone there is super friendly! and wicked nice, everyone is interested in what people have to say, especailly new people that they meet, don't be surprised if people just come up to you in random places and introduce themselves to you, haha it's the australian way.
some more australian slang for all ya'll
"how you goin" - which means like how are you doing
"sweet as" awesome or cool
"what did you get up to?" what did you do, what are you doing
"bummin" hanging around
"no worries" dont worry about it
Australia
I can hardly believe that it was over 5 years since I have been to Australia. It was definitely a beautiful country and will hopefully go back and see the things that I missed the first time I was there. I spent about a week or so traveling along the eastern coast. I went to both provinces of Queensland and New South Wales.
I saw many cool things and was lucky enough to share these experiences with some really great people. This trip would have never happened if it wasn't for my amazing high school French teacher Madame Shields! She has become a friend over the years and am very grateful to have her in my life. I was also very blessed to get to have one of my older sisters join me on this fantastic trip!
Some interesting things that I got to do while I was in Australia were see the Sydney Opera House, go to Fraser Island, try new food (Vegemite is disgusting if anyone is wondering), hold a Koala, hold a baby Wallaby named Willy, feed Kangaroos and Wallabies, see new exotic animals, see a wild Dingo, experience being flooded into a small town, going to the Steve Irwin Zoo, learning how to throw a boomerang correctly, and so much more!
This was my first trip off the North American continent. I would have traded it for the world. It definitely was the first step to helping me grown and be able to travel around the world by myself. There are so many things that I can't even express or go into without taking a few pages to write about during my time here. I hope that everyone gets a chance to experience this country and travel outside the major cities.
In a few years time I am hope I will be blessed enough to make a trip back!
By: Holly Kauer
New Caledonia
I was totin' my pack along the long dusty Winnemucca road,
When along came a semi with a high an' canvas-covered load.
"If you're goin' to Winnemucca, Mack, with me you can ride."
And so I climbed into the cab and then I settled down inside.
He asked me if I'd seen a road with so much dust and sand.
And I said, "Listen, I've traveled every road in this here land!"
[Chorus:]
I've been everywhere, man.
I've been everywhere, man.
Crossed the desert's bare, man.
I've breathed the mountain air, man.
Of travel I've had my share, man.
I've been everywhere.
I've been to:
Reno, Chicago, Fargo, Minnesota,
Buffalo, Toronto, Winslow, Sarasota,
Wichita, Tulsa, Ottawa, Oklahoma,
Tampa, Panama, Mattawa, La Paloma,
Bangor, Baltimore, Salvador, Amarillo,
Tocapillo, Baranquilla, and Perdilla, I'm a killer.
[Chorus]
I've been to:
Boston, Charleston, Dayton, Louisiana,
Washington, Houston, Kingston, Texarkana,
Monterey, Faraday, Santa Fe, Tallapoosa,
Glen Rock, Black Rock, Little Rock, Oskaloosa,
Tennessee, Hennessey, Chicopee, Spirit Lake,
Grand Lake, Devils Lake, Crater Lake, for Pete's sake.
[Chorus]
I've been to:
Louisville, Nashville, Knoxville, Ombabika,
Schefferville, Jacksonville, Waterville, Costa Rica,
Pittsfield, Springfield, Bakersfield, Shreveport,
Hackensack, Cadillac, Fond du Lac, Davenport,
Idaho, Jellico, Argentina, Diamantina,
Pasadena, Catalina, see what I mean-a.
[Chorus]
I've been to:
Pittsburgh, Parkersburg, Gravelbourg, Colorado,
Ellensburg, Rexburg, Vicksburg, Eldorado,
Larimore, Admore, Haverstraw, Chatanika,
Chaska, Nebraska, Alaska, Opelika,
Baraboo, Waterloo, Kalamazoo, Kansas City,
Sioux City, Cedar City, Dodge City, what a pity.
[Chorus]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ov4epAJRPMw
By: Sam Smith
New Zealand
I was totin' my pack along the long dusty Winnemucca road,
When along came a semi with a high an' canvas-covered load.
"If you're goin' to Winnemucca, Mack, with me you can ride."
And so I climbed into the cab and then I settled down inside.
He asked me if I'd seen a road with so much dust and sand.
And I said, "Listen, I've traveled every road in this here land!"
[Chorus:]
I've been everywhere, man.
I've been everywhere, man.
Crossed the desert's bare, man.
I've breathed the mountain air, man.
Of travel I've had my share, man.
I've been everywhere.
I've been to:
Reno, Chicago, Fargo, Minnesota,
Buffalo, Toronto, Winslow, Sarasota,
Wichita, Tulsa, Ottawa, Oklahoma,
Tampa, Panama, Mattawa, La Paloma,
Bangor, Baltimore, Salvador, Amarillo,
Tocapillo, Baranquilla, and Perdilla, I'm a killer.
[Chorus]
I've been to:
Boston, Charleston, Dayton, Louisiana,
Washington, Houston, Kingston, Texarkana,
Monterey, Faraday, Santa Fe, Tallapoosa,
Glen Rock, Black Rock, Little Rock, Oskaloosa,
Tennessee, Hennessey, Chicopee, Spirit Lake,
Grand Lake, Devils Lake, Crater Lake, for Pete's sake.
[Chorus]
I've been to:
Louisville, Nashville, Knoxville, Ombabika,
Schefferville, Jacksonville, Waterville, Costa Rica,
Pittsfield, Springfield, Bakersfield, Shreveport,
Hackensack, Cadillac, Fond du Lac, Davenport,
Idaho, Jellico, Argentina, Diamantina,
Pasadena, Catalina, see what I mean-a.
[Chorus]
I've been to:
Pittsburgh, Parkersburg, Gravelbourg, Colorado,
Ellensburg, Rexburg, Vicksburg, Eldorado,
Larimore, Admore, Haverstraw, Chatanika,
Chaska, Nebraska, Alaska, Opelika,
Baraboo, Waterloo, Kalamazoo, Kansas City,
Sioux City, Cedar City, Dodge City, what a pity.
[Chorus]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ov4epAJRPMw
By: Sam Smith
Northern Mariana Islands
I was totin' my pack along the long dusty Winnemucca road,
When along came a semi with a high an' canvas-covered load.
"If you're goin' to Winnemucca, Mack, with me you can ride."
And so I climbed into the cab and then I settled down inside.
He asked me if I'd seen a road with so much dust and sand.
And I said, "Listen, I've traveled every road in this here land!"
[Chorus:]
I've been everywhere, man.
I've been everywhere, man.
Crossed the desert's bare, man.
I've breathed the mountain air, man.
Of travel I've had my share, man.
I've been everywhere.
I've been to:
Reno, Chicago, Fargo, Minnesota,
Buffalo, Toronto, Winslow, Sarasota,
Wichita, Tulsa, Ottawa, Oklahoma,
Tampa, Panama, Mattawa, La Paloma,
Bangor, Baltimore, Salvador, Amarillo,
Tocapillo, Baranquilla, and Perdilla, I'm a killer.
[Chorus]
I've been to:
Boston, Charleston, Dayton, Louisiana,
Washington, Houston, Kingston, Texarkana,
Monterey, Faraday, Santa Fe, Tallapoosa,
Glen Rock, Black Rock, Little Rock, Oskaloosa,
Tennessee, Hennessey, Chicopee, Spirit Lake,
Grand Lake, Devils Lake, Crater Lake, for Pete's sake.
[Chorus]
I've been to:
Louisville, Nashville, Knoxville, Ombabika,
Schefferville, Jacksonville, Waterville, Costa Rica,
Pittsfield, Springfield, Bakersfield, Shreveport,
Hackensack, Cadillac, Fond du Lac, Davenport,
Idaho, Jellico, Argentina, Diamantina,
Pasadena, Catalina, see what I mean-a.
[Chorus]
I've been to:
Pittsburgh, Parkersburg, Gravelbourg, Colorado,
Ellensburg, Rexburg, Vicksburg, Eldorado,
Larimore, Admore, Haverstraw, Chatanika,
Chaska, Nebraska, Alaska, Opelika,
Baraboo, Waterloo, Kalamazoo, Kansas City,
Sioux City, Cedar City, Dodge City, what a pity.
[Chorus]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ov4epAJRPMw
By: Sam Smith
Palau
I was totin' my pack along the long dusty Winnemucca road,
When along came a semi with a high an' canvas-covered load.
"If you're goin' to Winnemucca, Mack, with me you can ride."
And so I climbed into the cab and then I settled down inside.
He asked me if I'd seen a road with so much dust and sand.
And I said, "Listen, I've traveled every road in this here land!"
[Chorus:]
I've been everywhere, man.
I've been everywhere, man.
Crossed the desert's bare, man.
I've breathed the mountain air, man.
Of travel I've had my share, man.
I've been everywhere.
I've been to:
Reno, Chicago, Fargo, Minnesota,
Buffalo, Toronto, Winslow, Sarasota,
Wichita, Tulsa, Ottawa, Oklahoma,
Tampa, Panama, Mattawa, La Paloma,
Bangor, Baltimore, Salvador, Amarillo,
Tocapillo, Baranquilla, and Perdilla, I'm a killer.
[Chorus]
I've been to:
Boston, Charleston, Dayton, Louisiana,
Washington, Houston, Kingston, Texarkana,
Monterey, Faraday, Santa Fe, Tallapoosa,
Glen Rock, Black Rock, Little Rock, Oskaloosa,
Tennessee, Hennessey, Chicopee, Spirit Lake,
Grand Lake, Devils Lake, Crater Lake, for Pete's sake.
[Chorus]
I've been to:
Louisville, Nashville, Knoxville, Ombabika,
Schefferville, Jacksonville, Waterville, Costa Rica,
Pittsfield, Springfield, Bakersfield, Shreveport,
Hackensack, Cadillac, Fond du Lac, Davenport,
Idaho, Jellico, Argentina, Diamantina,
Pasadena, Catalina, see what I mean-a.
[Chorus]
I've been to:
Pittsburgh, Parkersburg, Gravelbourg, Colorado,
Ellensburg, Rexburg, Vicksburg, Eldorado,
Larimore, Admore, Haverstraw, Chatanika,
Chaska, Nebraska, Alaska, Opelika,
Baraboo, Waterloo, Kalamazoo, Kansas City,
Sioux City, Cedar City, Dodge City, what a pity.
[Chorus]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ov4epAJRPMw
By: Sam Smith
Papua New Guinea
I was totin' my pack along the long dusty Winnemucca road,
When along came a semi with a high an' canvas-covered load.
"If you're goin' to Winnemucca, Mack, with me you can ride."
And so I climbed into the cab and then I settled down inside.
He asked me if I'd seen a road with so much dust and sand.
And I said, "Listen, I've traveled every road in this here land!"
[Chorus:]
I've been everywhere, man.
I've been everywhere, man.
Crossed the desert's bare, man.
I've breathed the mountain air, man.
Of travel I've had my share, man.
I've been everywhere.
I've been to:
Reno, Chicago, Fargo, Minnesota,
Buffalo, Toronto, Winslow, Sarasota,
Wichita, Tulsa, Ottawa, Oklahoma,
Tampa, Panama, Mattawa, La Paloma,
Bangor, Baltimore, Salvador, Amarillo,
Tocapillo, Baranquilla, and Perdilla, I'm a killer.
[Chorus]
I've been to:
Boston, Charleston, Dayton, Louisiana,
Washington, Houston, Kingston, Texarkana,
Monterey, Faraday, Santa Fe, Tallapoosa,
Glen Rock, Black Rock, Little Rock, Oskaloosa,
Tennessee, Hennessey, Chicopee, Spirit Lake,
Grand Lake, Devils Lake, Crater Lake, for Pete's sake.
[Chorus]
I've been to:
Louisville, Nashville, Knoxville, Ombabika,
Schefferville, Jacksonville, Waterville, Costa Rica,
Pittsfield, Springfield, Bakersfield, Shreveport,
Hackensack, Cadillac, Fond du Lac, Davenport,
Idaho, Jellico, Argentina, Diamantina,
Pasadena, Catalina, see what I mean-a.
[Chorus]
I've been to:
Pittsburgh, Parkersburg, Gravelbourg, Colorado,
Ellensburg, Rexburg, Vicksburg, Eldorado,
Larimore, Admore, Haverstraw, Chatanika,
Chaska, Nebraska, Alaska, Opelika,
Baraboo, Waterloo, Kalamazoo, Kansas City,
Sioux City, Cedar City, Dodge City, what a pity.
[Chorus]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ov4epAJRPMw
By: Sam Smith
Solomon Islands
I was totin' my pack along the long dusty Winnemucca road,
When along came a semi with a high an' canvas-covered load.
"If you're goin' to Winnemucca, Mack, with me you can ride."
And so I climbed into the cab and then I settled down inside.
He asked me if I'd seen a road with so much dust and sand.
And I said, "Listen, I've traveled every road in this here land!"
[Chorus:]
I've been everywhere, man.
I've been everywhere, man.
Crossed the desert's bare, man.
I've breathed the mountain air, man.
Of travel I've had my share, man.
I've been everywhere.
I've been to:
Reno, Chicago, Fargo, Minnesota,
Buffalo, Toronto, Winslow, Sarasota,
Wichita, Tulsa, Ottawa, Oklahoma,
Tampa, Panama, Mattawa, La Paloma,
Bangor, Baltimore, Salvador, Amarillo,
Tocapillo, Baranquilla, and Perdilla, I'm a killer.
[Chorus]
I've been to:
Boston, Charleston, Dayton, Louisiana,
Washington, Houston, Kingston, Texarkana,
Monterey, Faraday, Santa Fe, Tallapoosa,
Glen Rock, Black Rock, Little Rock, Oskaloosa,
Tennessee, Hennessey, Chicopee, Spirit Lake,
Grand Lake, Devils Lake, Crater Lake, for Pete's sake.
[Chorus]
I've been to:
Louisville, Nashville, Knoxville, Ombabika,
Schefferville, Jacksonville, Waterville, Costa Rica,
Pittsfield, Springfield, Bakersfield, Shreveport,
Hackensack, Cadillac, Fond du Lac, Davenport,
Idaho, Jellico, Argentina, Diamantina,
Pasadena, Catalina, see what I mean-a.
[Chorus]
I've been to:
Pittsburgh, Parkersburg, Gravelbourg, Colorado,
Ellensburg, Rexburg, Vicksburg, Eldorado,
Larimore, Admore, Haverstraw, Chatanika,
Chaska, Nebraska, Alaska, Opelika,
Baraboo, Waterloo, Kalamazoo, Kansas City,
Sioux City, Cedar City, Dodge City, what a pity.
[Chorus]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ov4epAJRPMw
By: Sam Smith
Vanuatu
I was totin' my pack along the long dusty Winnemucca road,
When along came a semi with a high an' canvas-covered load.
"If you're goin' to Winnemucca, Mack, with me you can ride."
And so I climbed into the cab and then I settled down inside.
He asked me if I'd seen a road with so much dust and sand.
And I said, "Listen, I've traveled every road in this here land!"
[Chorus:]
I've been everywhere, man.
I've been everywhere, man.
Crossed the desert's bare, man.
I've breathed the mountain air, man.
Of travel I've had my share, man.
I've been everywhere.
I've been to:
Reno, Chicago, Fargo, Minnesota,
Buffalo, Toronto, Winslow, Sarasota,
Wichita, Tulsa, Ottawa, Oklahoma,
Tampa, Panama, Mattawa, La Paloma,
Bangor, Baltimore, Salvador, Amarillo,
Tocapillo, Baranquilla, and Perdilla, I'm a killer.
[Chorus]
I've been to:
Boston, Charleston, Dayton, Louisiana,
Washington, Houston, Kingston, Texarkana,
Monterey, Faraday, Santa Fe, Tallapoosa,
Glen Rock, Black Rock, Little Rock, Oskaloosa,
Tennessee, Hennessey, Chicopee, Spirit Lake,
Grand Lake, Devils Lake, Crater Lake, for Pete's sake.
[Chorus]
I've been to:
Louisville, Nashville, Knoxville, Ombabika,
Schefferville, Jacksonville, Waterville, Costa Rica,
Pittsfield, Springfield, Bakersfield, Shreveport,
Hackensack, Cadillac, Fond du Lac, Davenport,
Idaho, Jellico, Argentina, Diamantina,
Pasadena, Catalina, see what I mean-a.
[Chorus]
I've been to:
Pittsburgh, Parkersburg, Gravelbourg, Colorado,
Ellensburg, Rexburg, Vicksburg, Eldorado,
Larimore, Admore, Haverstraw, Chatanika,
Chaska, Nebraska, Alaska, Opelika,
Baraboo, Waterloo, Kalamazoo, Kansas City,
Sioux City, Cedar City, Dodge City, what a pity.
[Chorus]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ov4epAJRPMw
By: Sam Smith
Kiribati
I was totin' my pack along the long dusty Winnemucca road,
When along came a semi with a high an' canvas-covered load.
"If you're goin' to Winnemucca, Mack, with me you can ride."
And so I climbed into the cab and then I settled down inside.
He asked me if I'd seen a road with so much dust and sand.
And I said, "Listen, I've traveled every road in this here land!"
I've been everywhere, man.
I've been everywhere, man.
Crossed the desert's bare, man.
I've breathed the mountain air, man.
Of travel I've had my share, man.
I've been everywhere.
I've been to:
Reno, Chicago, Fargo, Minnesota,
Buffalo, Toronto, Winslow, Sarasota,
Wichita, Tulsa, Ottawa, Oklahoma,
Tampa, Panama, Mattawa, La Paloma,
Bangor, Baltimore, Salvador, Amarillo,
Tocapillo, Baranquilla, and Perdilla, I'm a killer.
[Chorus]
I've been to:
Boston, Charleston, Dayton, Louisiana,
Washington, Houston, Kingston, Texarkana,
Monterey, Faraday, Santa Fe, Tallapoosa,
Glen Rock, Black Rock, Little Rock, Oskaloosa,
Tennessee, Hennessey, Chicopee, Spirit Lake,
Grand Lake, Devils Lake, Crater Lake, for Pete's sake.
[Chorus]
I've been to:
Louisville, Nashville, Knoxville, Ombabika,
Schefferville, Jacksonville, Waterville, Costa Rica,
Pittsfield, Springfield, Bakersfield, Shreveport,
Hackensack, Cadillac, Fond du Lac, Davenport,
Idaho, Jellico, Argentina, Diamantina,
Pasadena, Catalina, see what I mean-a.
[Chorus]
I've been to:
Pittsburgh, Parkersburg, Gravelbourg, Colorado,
Ellensburg, Rexburg, Vicksburg, Eldorado,
Larimore, Admore, Haverstraw, Chatanika,
Chaska, Nebraska, Alaska, Opelika,
Baraboo, Waterloo, Kalamazoo, Kansas City,
Sioux City, Cedar City, Dodge City, what a pity.
[Chorus]
By: Sam Smith
New Zealand
Our memorable and strange last day in New Zealand.
My Son & I being exhausted from the 15 hour flight from Los Angeles to Hong Kong was not strange.
The layover in Hong Kong for 12 hours before our 12 hour flight to New Zealand also was not strange.
Getting a flu virus from all the traveling and exhaustion was expected.
Having problems on our arrival with our 9 day train pass was unexpectedly frustrating.
Our plan of visiting both Islands by train was cancelled. The rail company turned out to be a hoax. We lost our money.
Our first day in New Zealand was disappointing.
The strange was yet to come.
The rail pass plan was substituted by a visit to two beautiful locations on the North Island.
It was our last day at Lake Taupo.
We still had not recovered from a bad flu which slowed us down all week.
My Son Sacha really wanted to go skiing in the mountains on our last day. September was close to the end of the ski season, so he was told to phone the ski desk to ask conditions that morning. He dragged himself to the phone, but was disappointed to learn that the night before; there had been a heavy rain which washed away the remainder of the snow. The ski resort was now officially closed for the season.
He thankfully went back to bed and slept.
We lay in bed most of the day too weak to move or get up.
Our flight was scheduled to leave Auckland the next morning around 10.00am.
We had reserved a bus ahead of time to take us to Auckland, leaving Lake Taupo around 03.30 am.
I managed to get myself to the bathroom mid. Afternoon after sleeping all day. I had a fever and bad headaches with chills.
Sacha was in the same condition as I was. We were both in terrible shape.
We decided we had to try and get out of bed and make the most of our last day in New Zealand. Sick or no sick, we were going to have fun damn it!
We went downstairs to try and eat something, but the hotel restaurant was closed.
It was then that Sacha had a great idea.
¨Let’s go bungee jumping! ¨
I muttered something to the effect of OK. Not really acknowledging what he had said as my throbbing head was in my hands.
Sacha telephoned the nearby bungee jumping company and came over to sit next to me.
¨I guess we’re going´ He told me as he looked as shocked as I did.
Within minutes, a Jeep pulled up to the hotel and we were accompanied to the bungee site perched above the spectacular volcanic Wakato River Valley.
At the welcome sign in desk, signs of ¨Welcome to Taupo Bungee. New Zealand’s highest water touch bungee¨. Impressive, I thought, but is this a nightmare?
We both looked at each other with a look of; I don’t believe I’m going to actually do this!
Both Sacha & I are scared of heights. Scared is an understatement for me, I am petrified and get dizzy while standing on a chair in my home.
What was I thinking?
We were both weighed and tagged to jump. We had to sign a couple of forms of consent as after all, this is a very dangerous sport.
We spent the next few minutes nervously giggling not knowing what we were in for. Whatever possessed me to do this is beyond my thinking.
I think I was in a state of absolute shock as I signed the final form and paid my fee to jump off a cliff.
The person asked if we had any serious injuries that may cause a problem. I answered that I had an old injury of a broken back/neck vertebrae problems and a new one being a herniated disk in my neck, hoping that this would be enough to cancel my jump.
Not so.
¨Oh I have a herniated disk also, no problem.¨, said the worker as he pointed to the platform with a smile.
I nervously smiled as Sacha looked pale.
The worker shouted after us. ¨Just jump right away, don’t linger and look down whatever you do. Just jump! ¨
¨ÖK¨ we replied nervously.
I decided Sacha should go first.
The platform was perched high on a cliff overlooking the river gorge and rocks. It was actually beautiful scenery, but my mind was not on the view at this time.
I could see Sacha had to take off his boots and was being fitted with the bungee cord around his ankles. I couldn’t see very well as there was a gate at the entrance to the platform.
All too soon I heard a scream.
It was Sacha´s scream. It echoed all around the valley.
From where I was positioned waiting for my turn, I could not see Sacha jump.
My heart was racing by this time.
I had no idea why I had agreed to this stupidity.
My body was beginning to shake as I walked through the gate on the platform. I was sweating and I doubt I had any colour in my face.
It was cold up there.
I continued to sweat.
From where I was standing, I could see just how high it actually was. The platform moved a little as I walked. That was almost enough for me to get on my hands and knees in terror but I tried to keep a little dignity.
I had no idea the entire time I was on the platform, that a camera was filming every move; every word. One thing I am happy about is you cannot hear the heavy breathing as the very heavy, bungee cord was being tightened around my ankles.
My throbbing head was in my hands for most of this time.
¨OK, you’re all set to jump¨. Said the perky woman worker who was safely secured to the platform by a safety harness.
When I took my hands from my face and stood, it was as if the heavy bungee was pulling me over the side. It was all I could do to hold on to the railing as I hopped cautiously towards the edge.
¨Just turn to your right and say Cheese¨. Said the woman.
I didn’t see a camera but looked to my right anyway. I don’t think the word cheese would have been the word I was thinking of at that moment in time.
¨
Put your arms out like wings´ she told me ¨And just jump after 3 OK? ¨
¨I can’t do this. I can’t do this. I feel sick. I can’t do this! ¨ I repeated.
¨One, two, three . . . bungeeeeeeeeeeeee! ¨
I cannot describe at that moment the fear, the numbness, the realization that you are about to throw yourself off a very high cliff into a river head first for no other reason than I agreed to do this. It is like a suicide without the will or want to die.
It was such an unnatural experience. My body would not allow me to do this. My mind would not allow my body to do this.
I think I leaned over a little, while of course still holding on to a rail with one hand, my rear was stuck out, but that’s as far as the first 1,2,3 bungeeeeee went.
I could see Sacha, a dot in the distance as I looked down at the rocks. He was waiving and shouting something.
I really don’t think I was thinking. I was too terrified to move. The weight of the cord was pulling me over as it was. I was holding on to a rail with one hand and trying to grab the woman with the other hand as she time and time again said, ¨one two three . . . bungee! She was less and less enthusiastic after the third time.
She kept telling me not to look down but look at the tree line in the forest in the distance.
It did not help matters.
I was looking down. Down was where I was expected to go.
I paid good money to hurl myself head first into nothingness and plunge to the river a couple of hundred feet below.
I am 50 years of age. I’ve done some crazy and an even bizarre thing in my time, but this was about the most terrified I had ever been in my life. I thought I was going to have a heart attack as I stood there.
What was I thinking? Was I thinking? No. I was too petrified as I white-knuckled the rail.
¨I can’t do it. Can I have my money back? ¨ I asked almost crying in fear.
¨No! She replied.
With that, I can only tell you what I saw on the video afterwards.
My mind and body was frozen in fear. I had been standing there for over 5 minutes, arms out trying to throw myself off.
¨OK, 1, 2, 3 . . . bungee! ¨
With that, I was pushed, yes pushed off the platform.
The fall was terrible but being jolted back up whipped my body around like a rag doll.
It seemed never ending.
It was a nightmare.
After all the screaming, cursing, yelling, seeing my life flash before my eyes, I could see a small rubber boat above me as I hung upside down bat-like trying to catch the long metal pole I was offered. You can see by the video that when I got hold of that pole, it took a lot for me to release it. I was lowered head first into the boat, still gripping on to this pole as we rode to the shoreline where Sacha waited.
He then told me he didn’t expect me to jump.
The people in the boat asked how I liked it.
The only words I could say over and over were ¨Horrible! ¨
It took my body a good 20 minutes to stop shaking.
I couldn’t speak or think. It was like I was still in shock.
We had to walk up the gorge which took over 30 minutes to get to where we paid for our jump. This is where they told us of the video for sale. To everyone’s amusement, they played my video publicly which showed me actually being gently pushed off the platform.
Both Sacha & I bought the videos as I know it will be my only time bungee jumping.
I should never say never.
I never would have thought I would bungee jump.
The jeep took us back to the hotel.
We both still couldn’t believe we actually did it. It was a fear that we both had and somehow, there was a kind of strange feeling of solace somewhere that maybe we had tackled or beat this fear by doing this insane thing.
Calmness came over us.
It was a feeling of being invincible.
We didn’t even go to our room or eat.
Sacha looked at a brochure by the front desk.
¨Let’s go skydiving! It’s our last day here and maybe we can still book? He blurted out excitedly. This was also something he had talked about but never thought he would have a chance to experience.
¨Wanna go with me? He asked.
After that jump, I was ready for anything.
I nodded.
He used the phone at the front desk to call the sky diving company.
He came back and told me they were closing for the day as it was almost 5:00pm but they could take us if we went right now.
Within a few minutes, a white stretch limousine pulled up to the hotel.
For us? We thought.
We sat in the limo like movie stars. Instead of going to a movie premier, we were on our way to jump out of a plane but all we could talk about was the jump we just made.
We arrived late in the day at Skydive Taupo, a small family run business.
We signed all the forms etc. and put on our jump suits.
We were going to be skydiving tandem as of course this was our first time doing this.
Both Sacha and I were to jump with the owners, two experienced really nice kiwi guys.
I decided on a DVD, so I knew right from the start we would have a souvenir of the jump.
We went up in a small plane with just enough room for the four of us to cram in. The plane was extremely small and rickety but it did reach 15,000 above the clouds eventually.
Sacha was being hooked up to his partner and the door opened so Sacha could hang his legs outside while the final adjustments were made to join the two of them together.
It was really noisy up there but the worst thing was the cold.
At this point I suppose I was getting a little nervous.
Before I could think about it, they were gone. I could see them free falling towards the clouds until they became a dot in the distance. I could see their parachute open as I was gestured to sit in the doorway.
I could feel myself getting hooked up to Roy. I could not see him as I was wearing too much gear to move freely. I could see his legs as I was sitting between them. My legs were hanging out of the plane. I was holding on pretty tight.
I was told previously to cross my arms as we were in the free fall and then could just relax.
It was cold, bitterly cold even though I had on winter clothes and a heavy coat underneath the jump suit. My head was covered and I had to put on goggles.
I then realized that this was also very unnatural as Roy was pushing me out of the plane. I can see on my DVD video that I was resisting being pushed out.
The free fall lasts for almost 1 minute. That does not seem like a long time for most things, but plummeting to earth at a break neck speed really puts the time frame into perspective.
When I have seen people do this on TV, movies etc. it seems like they are floating in the air before the parachute opens, optical illusion I suppose. In realty you are screaming towards the ground and clouds at lightning speed. Your eyes feel as if they are being sucked out of your head. You cannot feel the person behind you. As you hit the clouds you feel the pressure against your body like hitting compressed steam. It feels heavy. Weird. Unnatural.
Then Roy opened the parachute.
Off came the goggles and I was told to uncross my arms.
I could hear again.
The feeling of floating through the air for someone who has not experienced this is impossible to put into words.
You feel as if you are flying. Free. Bird like.
It was a spectacular Ariel view of Lake Taupo The largest freshwater lake in the Southern Hemisphere.
Unbelievably exhilarating and adrenaline rushed.
The landing was good, I managed to control myself enough to not fall. I landed myself feet first.
It was amazing. Something we will not ever forget.
We were driven back to our hotel by limo where we walked to a restaurant to reflect on our day’s activities.
Seeing as we were both feeling so sick before, we were astounded at how strange the day turned out.
But it was not over yet. . .
We went back to bed to sleep.
We were back to feeling sick and tired again after the adrenaline rushed wore off.
We had to wake up in the middle of the night to catch the bus to Auckland.
It was very cold and the bus was delayed almost for 1 hour.
We waited for it out in the street in the freezing cold wind and rain.
The bus ride was to take just over three hours.
Sacha slept as soon as we got onboard.
Not quite an hour into the journey, the bus stopped.
Some people were talking in the front to the driver.
Apparently a woman in her 60´s on the bus traveling alone was dead in her seat.
No one knew who she was or how she died.
There was a commotion for a while until the bus driver told us what was going on. He explained that the police were called and that the bus could not be moved with a dead body on board.
Sacha kept sleeping all through this.
The police came along with a doctor and an ambulance.
We were all ordered to stay in our seats.
The police took the statement of everyone on board except Sacha.
He slept through this entire event.
After over one hour of sitting on the bus, the coroner came to move the body.
We were then told to get off the bus.
I had to wake Sacha up. He could not believe he missed all the action.
We were shuffled to a café which was opened up for us and had to wait in there for just over an hour.
The body was eventually taken off the bus.
The bus had to be fumigated with something before we could get back on.
We finally arrived in Auckland much later than expected but we still caught our plane.
It was quite a day.
We still had over 5 weeks of traveling around Asia before us.
Our next destination after New Zealand was the Island of Bali in Indonesia. We learned that morning that terrorists had killed a lot of tourists there with a bomb in a restaurant.
We knew then that this was not going to be your average trip.
We survived even though we visited many different countries at a time when terrorism is blatant.
Here is a list of places we went on this trip:
New Zealand
Bali, Indonesia
Karachi, Pakistan. (5 days after major earthquake)
Bangkok, Thailand.
Hong Kong.
Osaka, Japan.
Tokyo.
Seoul, Korea.
Taipei, Taiwan,
Singapore.
Penang, Malaysia.
Surabaya, Java, Indonesia.
Hong Kong to Los Angeles.
Los Ángeles to Puerto Vallarta.
We ran into problems in some of the countries. This is not unusual.
In Pakistan we needed a body guard to go with us wherever we went.
Even while out on a fishing boat in the Arabian Sea, he came with us.
We were allowed to swim but not take photographs in this country. They have very strict rules and rarely see people looking like us walking along the street.
We had many adventures in all the other countries including motorcycle accidents with rented motorbikes in Bali and Penang.
Getting lost in Penang.
Sick in Surabaya.
Customs problems in Korea.
But the most terrifying, exhilarating and strangest day out of the 6 weeks was our last day in New Zealand.
End
Australia
I visited Australia and New Zealand during April 1992. While it was spring time going into summer here it was fall going to winter there. We left Dallas in the late morning and arrived Las Angeles after lunch. We had to go to the International terminal Building which was just next door. It was after 9 PM when the plane left LAX and we flew all night arriving Auckland, New Zealand at daylight the next day. Customs was not a problem however the taxi service was as they were all Fords made in Australia with the butane cell in the trunk. We planned a two day delay in Auckland to get over the flight. The hotel was on top a large hill. We could walk down to Kings Row & Queens Blvd. but need a taxi to return to the hotel. Greta was hunting early additions of books and I was looking for a good beer joint. We found the beer joint and it was full of people who knew where all the used book stores were within the area. All the people we met were very friendly and helpful.
Cont on New Zealand board...
We arrived Hobart, Tasmania and spent the extra day here, then on to Melbourne on the mainland which is a beautiful city. From Melbourne we went on to Syndey and departed the ship. We were regestered in
a fine hotel but at the entrance to the Navy Base and this caused a transportation problem to and from the downtown area. Snydey has a fine subway and bus system along with an overhead rail system within the downtown area
By: Wayne Renshaw
