Wellington/Opononi/Paihia

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  Opononi, New Zealand
Thursday, March 22, 2007

Hi,

Our last entry for New Zealand - cannot believe it - the time has flown by.   We arrived in Wellington on St Patrick's day and it was so busy.  Such a quick transfer from port to YHA which was like a 5 star hotel.   Ensuite room for almost the first time so luxury as well.   Went out for a stroll and nearly ended up in hospital with flying glass from bars in Cuba Street.   The main street wasn't much better so headed back to YHA for an early night and safety!!!   Next day things had calmed down and we had a great day walking the length and breadth of Wellington - great city with so much to see.  It was Mother's day too at home so had a small glass of champers at the top of the Cable Car ride near Botanics.   In the evening we found a brilliant local restaurant where we had two of the best cocktails and a great meal.

Air NZ and Emirates at Wellington

Flew next day to Auckland and picked up Betty 2 which was pink.   Drove up the east coast to Opononi having survived a near death experience on the way.   We survived to tell the tale and arrived in the most idyllic rural location - YHA on a working farm.  Everything was well with the world - great fellow YHA travellers - only 6 of us.  Next day we were the only guests there.   Went for a hour's pony trek, lots of walking and a farmer's wife home cooked meal.   Stars were fantastic but while Val was having a quiet moment watching the night sky - a possum (nibbing the farmer's fruit tree) was shot - all went quiet again.   

It was difficult to drag ourselves away from here but our last stop at Paihia (Bay of Islands) beckoned.

Stopped at Raiwa on way over and had our usual coffee and cake moment.  Also stumbled upon a local dressmaking lady who was very keen to get the most recent updates of Corrie (NZ is well behind on the story lines).

Paihia YHA was another great place with ensuite for every room.  We would have liked to stay here longer as well as lots to see and do

Bike chick

.   However, we were due to fly back to Sydney from Auckland airport.    We were hoping for another Emirates experience but they were heavily booked so Air Zealand brought us home to Oz.   Great flight with good movies - Av watched Happy Feet and hasn't stopped tapping her feet since.......

Now back in Sydney for a few days to catch up with friends.   Off to a retreat in Blue Mountains Monday/Tuesday before leaving for Hong Kong Wednesday.

Hope you enjoy the last of the NZ photos.   Will probably update once more with Sydney and Hong Kong.

Cheers for now


Hope all well and happy.

Val and Avril

Post your own travel photos for friends and family More Pictures

Corrie Update in Raiwa	Eutopia Hippy Coffee shop	Fresh eggs and bread for brekkie Opononi	Last meal in NZ
Leaving Wellington on Qantas flight	Mother's Day in Wellington	Opononi	Opononi bliss
Opononi YHA	Our only sheep photo at Opononi farm	Our pony trek horses	Raiwa mad moment
Sand Dunes near Opononi	Telling time Wellington Observatory	Wellington outside YHA	Wellington 5 star YHA
Wellington cable car	YHA

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