Kingsgate Autolodge Paihia

... durch den Kauriwald, bis zu den Whangarei Falls...total schoene Wasserfaelle)... auf dem Rueckweg hat uns ein Mann bis zu unserem Auto gebracht... sehr praktisch, ansonsten haetten wir wieder 2 Stunden zurueck laufen muessen... Danach sind wir zu den Abbey Caves gefahren. das ist eine Hoehle, in die man hinein klettern kann ... da kann man dann Gluehwuermchen beobachten,,, war total cool.,, wir ...

... a bite to eat and then heading to the jetty to board the boat. The tour was 3hrs long, first we picked up passengers from Russell which was a short cruise across the Bay and then we headed out into the clear waters of the beautiful Bay of Islands. On our way to the Cape Brett Lighthouse we looked out for dolphins and other marine and bird life. Further out we visited beautiful Motukokako Island and the famous Hole in the Rock. We skillfully navigated through the hole ...

... shot at the course, now that I know whats over hill and around corners. Those blind shots are a little tough. Especially when all the yardage is actually 'meterage', and you have to try and convert in your head before picking a club. But still, was a beautiful day, and I had a great time. Well, I'll be back in the states on 2 April. So soon.

... for a Dolphin Experience with Awesome Adventures, in the Bay of Islands. There was much anticipation in the family as we had had been thwarted, by the weather, a number of times to see dolphin and whales in the wild. The day looked to be fantastic. After an hour and half drive we had a rushed breakfast and when boarded the boat. After a short ...

... in their nine months of existence; · The digested food eaten by the larvae combines with its fluids to give off its luminescent glow; "Think of it as glowing maggot poo"...this joke hit the mother lode with the kids. The glow worm cave was fascinating, but also at this location we toured the huge Ruakuri Cave system. This was probably even more impressive, with its stalactites, stalagmites, glow worms, and weird cave formations. And, as part of the ...

... to our trip. North of Auckland was more of the same. We made a stop for lunch along the beaches North of Auckland, but again enjoyed the view from the comfort of our car because it was raining. We found ourselves less and less interested in stopping at the many sights along the way, and mostly just drove. About an hour south of Paihia, we made our only tourist stop in the small town of Kawakawa to see the noted Hundertwasser Toilets. They ...

... to discuss something with them. They asked if he could come back later, because they were watching the rugby game. Nonplussed, the exec said they wanted to use the property for a movie, and the brother who answered the door told him to go ahead, but to make sure he closed all of the fences so the sheep didn't get out. The exec left but showed up a few weeks later to discuss the terms of the contract. The farm itself is ...

... can just eat that instead of starving becuase the food is not so good. you get used to it but I can't wait to eat good food when I get home. This past weekend, 8 of us went to a kiwi guy, Simon's beach house in Papamoa. It was 10 minutes away from this mountain, Mt. Maunganui which is right next to the beach. It took us about an hour to climb all the way to the top and was a rediculous workout. The views were gorgeous ...

... its face, in that way that only hungry wistful dogs can. We gave up on the sausages and black pudding, checked with the dog's owners, and watched her inhale the plate of leftovers. At least someone appreciated them. We washed the dishes and ourselves at the toilet block, then drove into Raglan, had a look in the little supermarket-cum-hardware store for bits we needed for van improvements, gave up and went to Hamilton. The outskirts of Hamilton had, as the ...

Well here I am in New Zealand now and officially a working girl for 3 months (god I hate those words) The trip to New Zealand was quite pleasant I found the the people to be quite friendly and helpful. Andy drove the girls and I to the airport in his love machine (his awesome little van) and we queued for ages cracking jokes along the way. Then came the goodbyes and the tears were rolling (I know the ice queen) think the sun has affected my emotions! Anyways off I went blobbing ...