Kingsgate Hotel Oriental Bay Wellington

... reading. There is also lots of information about the impact humans have had on New Zealand's environment. No punches are pulled in the displays regarding reduction or loss of native forest and animals. Along with this is information about restoration efforts and opportunities to get involved. If you know us you wouldn't be surprised to know we spent most of our time in the natural sciences sections of Te Papa. Volcanoes, plate tectonics, flora ...

... to start getting to the pool training again, so I can give them a go without too much pain at the end. Leszek &amp; I are not doing very well in motivating each other this week - we've been testing out the local chocolate, wine, beer &amp; sofa a little too often! Hopefully once it warms up a bit more, we'll be out &amp; about more in the evenings.<br><br>We went to the Karori wildlife centre Sunday. Went in day light, so did't see any (real ...

... it a go. To call it the Globo-hostel of the hostelling world wouldn't be too far off the mark - the place is huge! It's hotel like but branded as a hostel and has all the hostel amenities and more. The rooms are card operated, clean and spacious. There are 2 kitchens, possibly enough to cater for the masses (we availed of the $5.50 Fush n' Chups our first day-proper fish n' chips too!) but managed to navigate our way to preparing the ...

... not to follow the route but started to jump, or knock over barriers, crossed the main road and the rail track and headed for the hills! One poor lady was taken to hospital after being knocked unconcious by the rampaging sheep!!! Only 400 sheep ended up where they should have, partly being shepherded by the Prime Minister John Key - can you imagine Gordon Brown joining in something like that? Sweetness.

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... duck race. 13000 plastic ducks at the cost of $5 each were enclosed in a floating channel and then let lose for the tide to draw them towards the finishing line. Seemed like it may go on all day! Eventually there was a winner though and the lucky owner received a Toyota car! Back in the square they were preparing the stage for the 'Voyagers' concert. This was some kind of multi cultural thing that went on for a couple of hours with music, singing and dancing and bizarrely, an array ...

... a memorial garden. The city itself has a really retro vibe, and there are four main areas: Lambton, Cuba, Courtenay and Willis. I think me and Emma will be spending most of our time in Cuba and Courtenay- they are where all the funky bars and shops are. We found out that there is a bar called Alice's bar which is Alice and Wonderland themed! Everything in their distorts your sense of proportions (should be interesting when under the ...

... and arrived in Whakapapa village to receive the biggest hug of my life from a completely shaken Kathryn. And to top it all it was her birthday. So my first step to consolation was to dig out the birthday presents from Ping, Donna, Martyn and myself. I also invited her out for a yummy dinner. Poor Kathryn really suffered a blow through my unpreparedness while I have to admit that I quite enjoyed the little detour and was proud of the fact that I had just managed to walk ...