Written By 13 Year Old NJ Girl Kiki
Caves, hiking, soccer, excitement, and adventure await you on your next visit to New Zealand. I love to explore nature as well as watch soccer, so the opportunity to experience both while vacationing in a new country sounds like a dream come true. The tour company, “Haka Tours New Zealand” offers just that. The first place in the tour that I would like to go to is “Tongariro National Park & The Tongariro Crossing”. Here, you can see the beautiful volcanoes, as well as learn about the spiritual and cultural significance the land holds for the Māori people. There are five volcanoes that you can explore while visiting this area. Ruapehu is the tallest and is also one of the world’s most active volcanoes. The mountain has eight glaciers and small snowfields at the summit. The other volcanoes are very interesting as well and you are able to hike and climb them. The park also includes something called, “Tongariro Crossing”. Here, you can see the views of volcanic peaks, red Mars-like craters and beautiful lakes. This whole hike takes around 7-8 hours in total while you travel at an altitude of 1120m. I would definitely enjoy this since I love being outside in nature. I also love to go hiking and often take treks on trails with my family.
Another fun and unique experience the tour provides is a visit to the “Glow Worm Caves”. Here, you can experience the astonishing caves that offer amazing views of stalagmites and stalactites along with underground rivers and rock formations. This one of a kind place will make you feel like you are viewing a galaxy of tiny living lights on the cave’s ceiling. You can either take this tour without getting wet, or if you are feeling extra adventurous, you can take a boat ride through the caves. For me personally, I would take the boat ride. I would want to get the full experience and I feel like it would be more fun. While you watch the caves a tour guide will also tell you about the Māori history of the caves.
The last thing I would love to do if I got the chance to go to New Zealand, would be to watch the USA Women's State Cup game against Australia. I absolutely love soccer and it would be an awesome experience to watch the women's team playing live right in front of me. The opening ceremony and the first match will happen on July 20th of 2023 at New Zealand’s Eden Park in Auckland. New Zealand will be hosting five matches in Auckland, seven in Wellington, six in Dunedin, and five in Hamilton. I would be especially excited to see Alex Morgan. I look up to her so much and it would be a pleasure to be able to see her play in action.
Kiki participated in Pay It Forward Gig, My Sweet Dream Trip; and earned $100 gift card for her sweet story.
