As the title says, I’m headed off to New Zealand for the next couple of weeks. My sister, who lives with me in Japan has actually made our trip her baby and has planned pretty much the whole thing. I was just required to book everything she told me. That in and of itself has been completely refreshing because alongside my friend Megan, we are the planners of all of my family and friends. What can you expect to hear about while we are there and after we get back? Well I thought you’d never ask, so let’s get to it.

A TOUR OF HOBBITON

We have big plans right out of the gate with 2 events on the first day. We are planning on heading to the movie set of the Shire from LOTR. The first set was originally made of all organic and degradable materials and since they rebuilt it with much more sturdy materials. So many people visit the set each year, they may not be taking it down any time soon? My sister and I went to see the newest movie this past week, The Hobbit “Desolation of Smaug”,  which was just recently released, to get into a New Zealand mind set. I can’t wait to share our journey with you.

ZORBING source

Ever thought about getting into a plastic ball and rolling down a hill before? To be honest I hadn’t ever thought about doing this because I didn’t realize you could, but the moment I found out about it, I put it on my TO DO list and I’m about to make it a reality.

 Horse Trekking Lake Okareka, Rotorua Source

My sister has been an avid horse lover and rider competing on the equestrian team when she was in college. When she came up with the idea to go on a horse back riding trip on a beautiful stretch of land around a lake in New Zealand, how could I refuse?

Huka Falls Source

The Huka Falls are the largest falls on the Waikato River, near Taupo on New Zealand’s North Island. It is the most visited waterfall, and one of the most visited natural attractions in New Zealand! We plan on swinging by on our journey through the North Island.

Kawarau Bungy Jumping Source

This is the big Kahuna for our trip. My sister and I both went sky diving the summer right before I left for OCS and it was AWESOME. I set my sights on Bungy Jumping shortly after and decided a few years ago that the first time I jumped it would be in New Zealand. I had this idea that I would be as extreme as the LOTR cast when I watched them bunny jump on my VHS extended addition set of the LOTR movies. I saw the footage of them going against the director’s wishes of doing extreme things. They were, after all, in New Zealand, a place designed for adventures.

With a determined mind set, I plan to make that a reality.

These are just a few things that we have planned for our trip. Some of the days we haven’t even planned out all of the way, so you never know what we’ll get ourselves into. If you would like to follow our travels around the country then just take a look at #DSNZ on twitter, or check my instagram which you’ll see in the side bar to your right.

The anticipation is building and the itch I experience just before going to the next new country is at a furious intensity. I pity the people who have never experienced such a longing to travel, for they are missing out on all the greatness the world has to offer.

This article appeared first on Dynamic Soarer.