WORLD YOUTH DAY JULY 15-20, 2008 SYDNEY
Auckland sprawls across the cones, hills, ridges and valleys of an old volcanic field. Bestriding an isthmus, the cities and boroughs of greater Auckland stretch literally from coast to coast and this gives an interesting and natural diversity. Being surrounded by safe and interesting waters, Aucklanders have become a water-oriented people. It is estimated there are more boats here per capita than anywhere else in the world; hence Auckland has been dubbed “The City of Sails ”. The climate is temperate and well balanced throughout the seasons. This factor, coupled with Auckland ’s sea-level location, its green pleasantness and relaxed way of life, add up to a favorable environment.
| Monday, July 21 |
Day 10 – SYDNEY/AUCKLAND – We transfer to the airport in Sydney where we board our flight to
Auckland. On arrival we are met and transfer to our hotel to drop our luggage. In the afternoon we enjoy a highlights tour of Auckland City, featuring, Mt Eden, the Auckland Domain, Auckland Museum, Parnell Historic Village, the Auckland Waterfront area and entrance to Kelly Tarlton’s Underwater World and Antarctic encounter. Return to the hotel where dinner is on our own. |
| Tuesday, July 22 |
Day 11 – AUCKLAND/WAITOMO CAVES/ROTORUA – Following breakfast we leave Auckland , traveling south via the Southern Motorway through some of the sprawling suburbs of South Auckland and Manukau City . Continue through the fertile plains of the Waikato district, renowned for its horse and dairy farms, to the village of Waitomo , in the King Country. Here, we visit Waitomo Caves , with their fascinating limestone formations, first discovered in the 1800’s. In the glow-worm grotto our boat rides silently along an underground river beneath a canopy of lights made by the minute larvae on the roof above. Lunch is on our own here before departing via the Fitzgerald Glade and over the heavily forested Mamaku Ranges to Rotorua, located in the Bay of Plenty . Overnight at our hotel here. Dinner is on our own. |
| Wednesday, July 23 |
Day 12 – ROTORUA - Rotorua is situated on a volcanic rift, which stretches for 124 miles from White Island , off the coast of the Bay of Plenty , to Lake Taupo and the volcanoes of the Tongariro National Park in the Central Plateau of the North Island . Rotorua is a forestry, farming and light industrial centre. The Maori culture contributes greatly to the attractions of this holiday city, where we can enjoy the culture and entertainment of the true Polynesian people. Following breakfast we depart on a sightseeing tour of Rotorua. First, visit the Agrodome for a demonstration on part of New Zealand’s primary industry. Sheep shearing and working dogs are included in this one-hour agricultural show. Then enjoy a walk of Rainbow Springs, a superbly presented area of native plants and springs, where thousands of rainbow and brown trout crowd one another in crystal clear waters. We see New Zealand ’s famed flightless kiwi, in the nocturnal house. Finally, visit The Maori Arts and Crafts Institute and Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve, for a guided tour of the model Maori pa, village site, and close by, the institute where young Maori are taught the skills of traditional carving. From here, visit the Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve to see boiling mud pools and geysers including “Pohutu” (“splashing”), the largest geyser, which plays several times a day. This evening, we visit a local Maori Marae, a traditional Maori meeting place, for our cultural experience. On arrival, a traditional Maori wero (challenge) and powhiri (welcome) takes place. Then, a concert of Maori songs with dances including the fearsome haka and the rhythmic poi dance. Afterwards, enjoy an authentic Maori hangi (dinner), whereby well-wrapped food is steam-cooked in an underground pit. The meal, consisting of wild pork, lamb, seafood and vegetables, is then lifted from the ground and ready for serving. Overnight at our hotel. |
| Thursday, July 24 |
Day 13 - ROTORUA/MATAMATA/AUCKLAND – Following breakfast we check out of our hotel and depart Rotorua for Auckland , via the heavily forested Mamaku Ranges and the Fitzgerald Glade to the farming town of Matamata . From here, continue through rich farmland to the Southern Motorway via the Bombay Hills, an area known for its light volcanic soil, thus popular for market gardening. Finally, we drive through some of the sprawling suburbs of South Auckland and Manukau to Auckland city. Following free time for lunch, we transfer to our hotel for overnight and dinner on our own. |
| Friday, July 25 |
Day 14 – RETURN – This morning following breakfast, we transfer to the airport for our return flight to Los Angels via Sydney and our home city arriving later today with memories of a lifetime. |
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