hey everybody

Sorry I've been non existent this week.  I had a math assignment and a chemistry test and then three more tests next week.  I get done Wednesday night and I promise to try and call this weekend.  I love you and thank you for all the love and support.  I promise to try harder and I promise to send these postcards, because it's starting to get a bit ridiculous.

Hello from the capital of RAIN.

The weather outlook is bleak without a hint of sun in the near future.   I have taken this to my advantage and gotten some work done, but I really miss my sunshine.  I think it might actually be an addiction.  But that means good news for you lucky Americans.  A postcard from me is in your near future, hopefully.  If you happen to get an Australian postcard postmarked from New Zealand, just go with it, ok?  :)  Anywhoooo I spent Sunday in Taupo with Elizabeth, but the cold and rain actually won in the end because I failed when it came to bungee jumping.  But it's still on my to-do list, no worries!  I have some great pictures of waterfalls, etc.  I also have some great pics that Liz took while we were in Mount Maunganui the week before we left. So, enjoy, and look forward to a phone call :) xoxo oh and pics from our random trip to Raglan beach to top it all off! WHOOHOOO

good ole' Jess and chocolate :)

the great drive through the mountains :)

This is the beginning of the self titled album: Megan tried to surf

Our friend steph (also the chauffeur) 

almost riding a wave! That counts right?

This picture reminds me of a movie poster, so epic!

The trip to Taupo begins!

Huka falls, the start of the Waikato river :)

This is at Aratiatia rapids, which begins the many hydro stations along the Waikato river and supplies 16% of New Zealands energy in conjunction with the other power stations along the river.

This is from the natural steam that rises out of the Taupo region and is then harnessed by giant geothermal power stations.

More Huka falls pics :)

MacDonalds here is fancy :)  and they have a different section purely for "McCafe" 

Yes, people thought I was weird, stalking McDonalds.

Back to the subject of geothermal activity.  Natural hot springs run right along the very cold water at the shore of lake Taupo (the largest lake in the southern hemisphere)

just bury your feet into the dirt, and it starts to get warmer.

IF the weather was nicer, you would see me here upside down, possibly bungee-ing :)

but instead, you can just enjoy the view with me :)

The water is much MUCH bluer at the mouth of the Waikato river, but by the time it gets to Hamilton, its a brown color from all the farm run off :(

andddd let's take a trip back in time to Mount Maunganui!

Now, of course we didn't plan on hiking another mountain in our flip flops, but that seems to happen quite often at this point :)

Paragliders must hike all the way up with their giant packs in order to jump off the top and fly down to the beautiful city on the beach.

At the top of Mount Maunganui with the city in the background :)

I like to think I'm funny and creative :p

Well, this about sums it all up.  Enjoy your day folks! xoxo <3

Just checking in :)

I probably shouldn't be online right now, as the threat of overdue homework looms above me, but I am the queen of procrastination and wouldn't want to let anybody down.  All of my friends back home are officially home for the summer and this is the time when I need to get my butt in gear.  As I sit here eating a carrot, I have realized a day too late that I must go grocery shopping, and buy more internet, and buy more phone credit, and buy a dissection kit for biology.  I also realized how much stronger the Australian dollar is than the American dollar.  Oh what a cruel world we suffer through.  I have also realized that packing my suitcase to come home is going take a lot of hard work, determination, and sweat.  On a lighter note, I am headed to Taupo this weekend through a school sponsored trip, so more pictures are to come :)  Well biology is calling and I must answer.
xoxo

Photos from the deep sea :)

 I almost drowned for you to relive my moments, so gargle some salt water, throw on your flippers and enjoy!

these are all from the underwater digital camera which Chris, Elizabeth and I rented.  Although we had to wear wetsuits, the water was surprising warm :)

we had to stay near the guide during scuba, but had more than enough time to goof around while 10 meters down.

the coral was beautiful and the fish were everywhere.  These guys were about the size of a hand!

We found this guy down by the anchor and he was at least the size of my head!  These pictures don't do justice to the brightness of their skin.

Like I said, these pictures will never do justice to the colors that exist in these waters!

MOst of these pictures are actually from when we got the scuba gear off and got to snorkel around the reef on our own.  I got really good at holding my breath and swimming down deep.  Above me is actually a sideways picture of a crevice in the rock.

So I had to get a picture in it :)

Sadly, I had given up against the waves and gone back inside just in time to miss this, but Chris had a great time swimming out with the sea turtle!

pics from aussie :)

This is the lagoon on the water in Cairns.   Cairns itself isn't on the beach, but surrounded with beautiful parks, grass and free BBQ's for the public to use.  Along the beach area is a large promenade with walking and biking trails, and kids parks everywhere with water attractions and climbing towers. 

Behind the promenade sits the city, filled with artwork and sculptures which combine with the palm trees to create a great sight.

The city center is normally bustling with tourists and students throughout the day.  The streets are on a grid system and you can find a coffee shop or gelato store on almost every corner between the souvenir stores and other shops. 

We went out for dinner one night and I wanted to this this little guy (not really...) but he looked like Bob Marley!

Elizabeth and I waiting at the marina before our trip out on the boat for the day.

Rainbows are following me, that's good luck right?

This is the elusive cassowary.  They live naturally in the rainforests around Cairns, and this guy was chilling at the Wildlife reserve.  We got there just in time for breakfast, which worked out great :)   

The only koala I saw on the trip, boy are they lazy!

I got to hold this bird :)

These are the white wallabies, so cute!  We had a great time at the wild life reserve.

one word: BOOYAH!

On our boat trip down the daintree river, Those are the mangrove roots which grow upward in order to release all the salt they absorb.

More mangroves, apparently they are a big deal.  Such a big deal in fact, that they still use a ferry to get across the river because a bridge could affect the delicate ecosystem.

We finally made it to the rainforest!

The rainforest which borders the beach. :)  This is a baby sea turtle we found down by the water!

After two days of intense exploration, we got to spend a day at the beach.  This is palm cove, one of the many beaches to the north of the city.

This is as deep as I was willing to go without being in a designated swimming area.  Apparently jelly fish are nasty little buggers!

On our last day, we went to the botanical gardens and spent the day wondering through the swamp boardwalk and snoozing in the beautiful park :)

How old do you think this tree must be?

 Well, I found some more pictures, so I figured I might as well share those also!  Sorry they are out of order.

Ignore the faces and focus on the gamecock alumni!  Gotta love southern hospitality, His group moved over so we could sit down, b/c the other seats on the top of the boat were "saved for friends" when we got there.

This is the "beach" at the city center, not prime swimming zone, which is why we made our way to the beaches north of the city.

You may not be able to tell, but these are actually vines that grew over a tree.  The tree then died and left a great hollow climbing apparatus. :)

A beautiful view of Clifton beach on a beautiful day :)

Some of the great random artwork along the promenade :)

My bird friend at the wildlife refuge :)

A view of the promenade :)  We got to walk along this everyday to get to the city!

Pretty birds everywhere, it may stay loud outside but its great to see them outside of cages :)