Nomads Fusion Backpackers Auckland

Jess, Matt and I traveled to New Zealand for a few days where we saw most of the city and tried to skydive. The weather however stood between us and skydiving. It rained everyday that we were there.

We've had a lovely week in the North Island. It was Laura's birthday on Monday so we decided to go on a wine tour!! It was great fun and we were taught how to drink wine properly, not just "scull it back" as the lady said! Luckily we stopped off for lunch (where we had a massive portion of fish and chips!) otherwise I think we may have all be slightly worse for wear at the end of the five hours!

On Tuesday we got the ferry over to Wellington. This crossing is well known for being a ...

After my monster 3 hour internet session in Christchurch, I met the gang in the hotel reception and we headed out for a group meal before getting back for an early night - coach travel really does take it out of you. Unfortunately, it was our last night with some of the gang and we had to say goodbye to them the following morning. After another early start, we spent the whole of the next day on the bus stopping briefly at Kaokora to see some dolphins, taste some wine, go for a walk along the ...

After breaking in the Bobby Dazzler on the roads up north it was time to return to Auckland and venture further south into unknown territory. We decided a few nights on the booze in Auckland would be needed to settle the nerves first. Checked back into base Auckland (our home away from home) and stumbled upon the English boys i.e. Wilfy, Toby and Alex. It was good to be reunited with these fellow pissheads who we hadn't seen since the rare ould times in Milhouse, Buenos Aires. Although the bo...

Arrived into Auckland today to some serious rain, never mind. Got my rucksack and then headed outside to catch the bus that took me to my hostel, Base Backpackers Hostel. I was in a 12 bed dorm but only one of the beds was occupied which was great as I knew that come the weekend this dorm would be full due to the last Lions Rugby test. Everywhere in Auckland you looked all you could see were red lions jerseys, in the hostels in the street's in the bars, there was just no escaping them. You co...

Despite having a flight at 11:40am from Sydney, I still managed to cut it fine getting to the airport. Although I got up early enough, I messed around doing things I should have done the day before and once I'd finished packing it was already 9:45am! However, I didn't have to wait long for trains and thus was able to get to the airport in time. The flight was fine and I had two seats to myself as the person who was supposed to be sitting next to me failed to turn up for their flight. After wa...

Hey! See, I promised it wouldn't be so long this time! I have been in New Zealand just over a week now and it has been really nice to just chill out up near Hellensville for a week with Andy, Wendy and their new baby. Went into the city for thursayd night though just to get myself organised and find my way around a bit. Auckland seems like a nice enough city - will jsut have to see what opportunities come up around in the next few days. Had some really good work experience with Hellensville r...

Whilst hanging inconspicuously around Base backpackers Aukland at dusk, we saw a man searching for volunteers. Enquiring as to what he wanted, we secured accomodation at the hostel for the following night, in exchange for our services in handing out fliers on the streets for the next 4 hours. Armed with high levels of Chutzpah, and cheekiness galore we hit the city centre, abusing pedestrians no differently from our usual antics. In the rain and cold took rejection and rudeness on the chin. A...

Okay, I am back in Auckland again. This time I decided to try a different backpackers so I stayed in Base. Base was a bit better than Fat Camel but still a party hostel and some idiot got locked out of his room at about 4am and he was banging on the door for at least 45 mins. I mean there is a 24 hr reception, he could have gone down and they could have let him in. Oh well, didn't get much sleep here either. I bumped into Gareth, I guy I met in Methven and gave me a lift to Lake Tekapo. I met...

Entry containing 32 photos titled: View from skytower1, View from skytower2, View from skytower3, View from skytower4, Me and Ros at the Skytower, Ros getting her leg over..., Tree Hugging, 90 mile beach, Ros on 90 mile beach, Sandboarding, Me and Ros post Sandboarding, Most northerly beach of New Zealand, View from Cape Reinga, Cape Reinga, View from Cape Reinga2, Fish and Chips after a another stressful day, Ros and the Light house at Cape Reinga, Paihia, Bay of Islands, Mangrove Forest, A waterfall near Paihia, Judie, My kind of fishing ;), The Bay of Islands, Judie with her prize catch, Sunset at the Bay of Islands, Kayaking in the Bay of Islands, The kayaking crew, Post kayak de-brief, The England vs All Blacks match, The England vs All Blacks match2, The pilots who I went to see the rugby with, The haka