our first week

So, the trip started out a little rough when, after almost 24 hours in airports and on planes, we got to Auckland, but my luggage didn't. I've been pretty lucky whenever I've traveled before and I've never lost my bags, so I guess I was due, but it still wasn't good. Since we've arrived it feels like the days have passed so quickly. We've been to Mount Eden, where we saw a panoramic view of Auckland, then Rangitoto, where we drove around and explored a volcanic island. That was really interesting to see all the different vegetation that was able to grow out of what basically looked like a bunch of rocks. We also went to Waitangi treaty grounds, where we learned some of the history of the Maori people. That was a lot more interesting than I was expecting it to be, which I think was due in large part to a really good tour guide. We also went to a kauri museum and forest, where we saw examples of huge kauri trees and big chucks of their gum. We've been to a lot of beaches, including 90 mile beach, Russell, and a beach off of Cape Reinga, where it was interesting to compare the different types of sand each one had, and to look around for and collect different shells. We also went on a bushwalk and saw the stratification in the rocks that has accumulated over time, and we went blackwater rafting through Waitomo Caves and saw glow worms. But I think one of my favorite parts was when we took a dolphin watching cruise around the bay by Paihea and to the hole in the rock. We saw a few different pods of dolphins on the way, and the hole in the rock was really interesting to see and go through. It's amazing to think that erosion is able to cause something like that. And no matter what anyone says, I don't believe that it's made of fiberglass... So that was basically some of the highpoints of our first week, and I hope that it's only going to get better from here.