Some Like It Hot

We woke up early to catch our bus down to Taupo. On the way we stopped at the Orakai Korako Geothermal Park to explore some of the geysers, hotsprings, and silica terraces that are in New Zealand. New Zealand is full of volcanos and hot springs that are pretty amazing to see up close. The 3 km walk around the park showed the various colors the springs can become due to its different elemental properties. After that, some of the people on my bus decided to go to the Taupo hot springs, where we could swim and drink wine. There was a spot where the spring rain into the Waikato Creek, creating a natural hot tub for swimmers. It was one of my favorite parts on the trip. If only we had one of those at USC, Fratty Friday would go to a whole new level....

NZ countryside, en route to Taupo

Lady Knox going off

Geothermal hot springs

Orakai Korako Geothermal Park

Always a party at Taupo hot springs

enjoying some wine with my new German and French friends

sun and smiles 

That night, we all headed to Mulligans Pub for dinner and a night of good old fashioned drinking. Basically our whole tour group was there because it was one of the German girl's birthdays and we had a drink special going. I really loved this pub.  There was pub trivia going that night so we decided to enter as a team and got second place (we didn't realize Miller's old slogan used to be the 'champagne of beer'). Almost won $150, but ended up with a few free beers and nice buzz so I couldn't complain. All I have to say is why aren't American bars like this? Obviously I'm going to the wrong ones...

Mulligans Pub ABOUT TO RUN SHIT

proud of mom for taking a shot

lining up the shots

new friends, more french and german

new friend from Canada! (Facepaint from Presidents and Assholes)

trend for the night