We came to Simi valley on Wednesday.  It is a beautiful house and the people are really nice.  We met all the neighbours, they came to dinner on our first night and one of them brought pie.  It is a shame that Diane and Rick had to go away for a couple of days, but their neighbour Hollie helped us and we went to a barbeq...

So. Silly me spilled the beans and spoiled the plans of going home early two days to surprise my mum. Now she knows, and she will come to the airport to pick me up. That's really nice, but I am still very disgruntled. About my stupidity. *sulk* .. ... .... *still sulking* Anyway. I will touch down in KL at 8pm tomorrow (Wednesday). I can't belie...

Hello, Last night we had our first leaving party and my mums birthday party. It was amazing every one came dressed up in fancy or maybe not so fancy clothes depending on how they consider themselves to be in 5 years as was the theme. I am 17. Cassie is 13. Zack is 15 and Mum is 26 again. All the guests were from mums work and they mostly came dr...

We arrived in Auckland city centre yesterday and managed to navigate our way to the Jucy Campervan site. I was dreading how much they were going to say that it would cost to fix the bumper but they were quite happy with how it was and were not too fussed about the paintwork which I was very relieved to hear.  They then very kindly dropped u...

Spot the literary reference. Anyway, I'm back in Auckland -- it's like meeting an old friend, albeit an old friend who everyone hates. (Why does everyone hate Auckland anyway? I think it is unfair). Since I last wrote anything here I've been all over the place. After I escaped from Punakaiki I went down to Franz Josef and went up the glacier. I ...

Wir haben es wieder nach Auckland geschafft. Am Abend bei Ron und Hanni angekommen haben wir uns wieder über die Annehmlichkeiten einer Base gefreut. Am nächsten Tag frisch geduscht sind wir in die Stadt zum Japanischen Konsulat gepilgert. Leider haben wir "nur Infos" bekommen. Das mit dem Arbeitsvisa ist ein bißchen komliziert, da wir uns nicht...

Finally managed to escape the city for a while. I went on a hiking trip to Rangitoto Island which is 20 minutes away by ferry from Auckland. The weather changed a lot to say the bloody least, I think I took my coat on and off like 10 times (mainly rain). Rangitoto is a volcanic island that's only 600 years old and the trail takes you to the summ...

This is my last night in New Zealand and I fly to Fiji tomorrow for sun, surf and sand!! Although apart from a couple of days and experiencing a 'southerly' in Wellington, I've had pretty much awesome weather in New Zealand for the last week, especially for winter. I've driven up in a 'rent a dent type car from Wellington via Taradale, Napier, R...

After what seems forever we finaly leave the Americas behind us and head for a new continent, people who will understand what we are saying and the hospitality of friends who live here! We arrive at the ungodly hour of 4:30am and a little selfishly don't hang around the airoprt but jump strait on the bus to George and Rinas arriving outside thei...

So....I've been in Auckland now for 2 days..I think...well this is my second day. Let's see after an hour long delay at LAX, the plane finally took off. It was a long flight, but not as unpleasant as I though it would be. I was so excited when I first landed. I got off the plane, staped on the backpack and headed towards the customs check in. Th...