Somehow after all the rain that fell during our walk around the northern circuit the river level fell on the Whanganui so we were able to hire a canoe and set off down the 88km section from Whakahoro to Pipiriki. To get to the river we were driven 45km from the main road down a windy primarily gravel track (sorry road) that ended at Whakahoro (which we somehow missed!). Then, after 5mins instruction, we were off on to the river. During the next 3 days we saw 57 goats (approx.), 1 wild pig, lots of birds and a total of 5 [View Full Entry]

---

---

We've spent the last three days in the central plateau area of the north island. We took the decision to do the Tongariro Northern Circuit rather than the shorter Tongariro crossing while waiting for the water level on the Wanganui river to drop (which it has). This is classified as one of the ten great walks in New Zealand. Unfortunately we didn't get to see all the magnificent views it boasts as the rain set in on the second day and the cloud level was down. We were a little surprised when we arrived at the hostel on Tuesday night to [View Full Entry]

---

---

On arriving at Spa lodge, Rotorua, we immediately booked into a whitewater rafting trip down the Wairoa river - reputed to be one of the most challenging commercially rafted rivers in NZ with multiple grade 5 rapids - as this was only available on Sundays due to dam release schedules. The following morning our guides picked us up and drove us about an hour to the river. With only me, Toni and our guide in our raft we really had to work hard to keep the raft moving in the right direction. Somehow we made it down without flipping the raft [View Full Entry]

---

---

On arriving at Waitomo we checked in to the Juno hall backpackers hostel and then, after a quick bite to eat, headed out in the dark with our torches for a short walk in the nearby Ruakuri valley to see a glow worm area. Amazing little creatures that use a chemical reaction to produce light (to lure their prey). Somehow we managed to dodge the showers (Andy still doesn't believe that we miss the showers because of my Irish luck) and returned to the hostel for a dose of Fawlty Towers(not our choice of video but as funny as always). The [View Full Entry]

---

---

Wednesday morning started with the short walk as far as Whangarei Falls which are fantastic at 9am with noone in sight and having just woken up! We then had a bit of a drive ahead of us with the planned break at Goat's Island a little snorkling in a marine reserve. The weather varied while we were out there from bright sunshine to proper rain but it doesn't really matter as much when you are as wet as we were! The fish were fairly pretty but not the really bright exotic types as the water is too cold (Andy's lips were [View Full Entry]

---

---

We arrived in Auckland yesterday afternoon and were pretty tired after the journey but decided to take it in turns to drive and power nap as we travelled north. We started reasonably early today and travelled as far as Waipoura forest to see the Kauri trees. We both reacted in a very similar way when we saw the first really big tree (it sounds a bit funny to say that we were amazed by some trees but wow!) From there we travelled east across the country to the Bay of Islands. It was really pretty but not as spectacular as we [View Full Entry]

---

---

Still having a fantastic time here - I thought that the novelty of the city would wear off but it hasn't as of yet! During the day I went to the Peak and to Stanley Market. Hockey training in the evening was fun. As it was so long since i had picked up a stick that I thought I was going to be crap but it wasn't that bad! That said my legs have been aching since then. On Wednesday I decided that I had better get out of the city and went out to Lantau island by ferry and got [View Full Entry]

---

---

Well I've arrived in Hong Kong to spend a few days with Conor before Andy joins me on route to New Zealand. I'm having a fantastic time so far. It was a pretty long flight to get here but the 11 hours weren't as bad as I expected and I did sleep a little which is just as well given that Saturday was a long day!! Conor and Rita were playing in a hockey tournament so I went to support and we went straight from there to a bbq and out for the night. It was fun dancing in the rain [View Full Entry]

---

---