Middle Earth Adventures

McCrain's in Middle Earth
A travel dialogue of our adventures in New Zealand

In February 2004, Jim and Kathy McCrain began a five month oddessy in New Zealand. Kathy was transferred to Auckland for a temporary work assignment, and Jim followed her for moral support. (Isn't he just the greatest husband?) What follows is Jim's account of this adventure.

More Adventures!

July 10, 2004

Kathy and I had really enjoyed our first trip to Rotorua, so we decided to go back. There was a lot that we did not get to see on our first visit, so it wasn't really like "repeating" the trip. (We have been very careful not to do the same things over and over. We want to experience as many different things as we can while in New Zealand.) So, we did some "different" things. You might call some of them "strange", but to Kathy and I, they are pretty "normal."

Yes, we did go see some of the many geothermal features of the area. But we also decided to see some of them in a rather unique manner. What is big, loud, slow, yellow, drives down the road, and plunges into lakes? If you said "A Duck!", then you are absolutely right! We took a tour on a World War Two US Army Surplus "Duck." The Duck is an amphibious vehicle that was used in several "landings" during the War, including the landing of Normandy Beach on D-Day. Our "assault" was much easier, and not quite so dangerous. We just toured around Rotorua, plunging into several of the lakes we passed along the way. I don't know who was more surprised: US or the people we passed! By the way, did I mention that everyone on board gets a "duck call" and we "quack" at everyone we see?

After the "Duck" tour, it was off to the Mountain Luge! We took a gondola ride to the top of a nearby mountain, and then proceeded to get into very small "street luge" carts. These carts go pretty fast, or at least it seems like it when you are only a few inches above the ground. Kathy and I both enjoyed the rides. Kathy is quite good at this sport! Sure, we looked pretty goofy with our helmets on, but remember kids, "Safety First!"

"I feel the need for Speed!"

The Adventure Begins!