Debs100

Having done our bit for cultural diversity by staying in the Mission district, now head to trendy Diva Hotel , just off Union Square (2mins) in the theatre district. The theatre literally opposite our hotel had a spoof comedy in it's first week, Fame Becomes Me with Martin Short , so we got tickets for that - was very funny. Had pre theatre martinis at the Daily Grill bar just a few doors down - always helps just in case the comedy is weak! Still feeling a bit on the high brow side, visited the de Young museum of fine arts in Golden Gate Park and had jasmine tea in the Japanese tea garden next door. Took a trip across the bay to The Rock, Alcatraz , and took the audio tour around. The story and ... read more

Leave Fiji with Spen and fly to LA where S goes off to New York to stay with his friend Tim, and I head to SF to meet Gill for the week. We stay the first 3 nights at a hostel in The Mission district Elements . Not a bad hostel at all, clean and modern with a great roof terrace bar. Had cocktails and watched the sun set over the city on our first evening. Also attached to the hostel is a fantastic North African bar and resturant . Spent time wandering around Fisherman's Wharf, watching the sealions, checked out Bubba Gump's with Forrest Gump to greet us outside (looked just like Tom Hanks too! shopping eating etc, wandering around Pacific Heights, the bay area and of course shopping at Union Square. ... read more

Head off early in the morning to meet Spen in Paihi for a day's sailing - that's all back on the main blog now!... read more

Drove onto Whangarei to see kiwis in a bird rescue centre Native Bird Recovery . You can see them in zoos but don't like that idea. This is a non profit making centre, run by a husband and wife team who take in birds from all over NZ, and release 80% back into the wild once they are better. Some can never be released back, which includes their 2 kiwis. Only one was in the centre, Snoopy, who was just gorgeous!! I got to pat him gently, but he was a bit snoozy because he's nocturnal. Poor Snoopy was found in a possum trap and lost his leg, so he can't go back into the wild. I held loads of birds, and chatted to a talking Tui called Woof Woof - who had a very deep ... read more

Drove 6 hours worth of hair pin bends to arrive in Coromandel Town for 2 nights. Stayed at the Lion's Den hostel, raved about in the hostel guide, which I thought was pretty grotty. Anyway, had the most amazing walk along the coastal road, from Fletcher Bay to Stoney Bay. The drive to Fletcher Bay took 2 hours as most of the road was unsealed track, but it was worth it. Took 3 hours, and was pretty hard going at points, but the view across the coromandel peninsula was breathtaking - a bit like Abel Tasman. The cows on the narrow steep pathway made for more of an adventure, as I would turn a sharp corner and nearly walk into a cow. Then it would be a battle of wills as to who would reverse as ... read more

Drove to Whakatane (hour north of Rotorua) for the night, in the hope to going on a trip to White Island - to visit its famous volcano. Nothing doing, as the winds and rain so bad the boat trip wasn't running. Relaxed instead, and went to the cimema to see Pink Pantha!... read more

Spent 2 nights in Rotorua, famous for hot springs and Maouri culture. Spent the afternoon at the Polynesian Spa, dipping in and out of the 5 outdoor thermal pools, overlooking the lake. Very relaxing. In the evening, went to a Maouri Hungi (feast) at the Maori village of Mitai It was great! The tribe arrived at the venue canoe on the river running through the bushland of the location. It was dark and quite eery stood in the silence and hearing them approaching, chanting their Pohiri (welcome). Once inside the tent, we were told Maouri stories, had the culture explained and given displays of tribal dances, songs, and weaponary. We then dined on a traditional Maouri feast cooked in the traditional way - i.e in the ground! We finished with a bush walk to see the ... read more

We dig out our walking boots and drive to Katoomba, in the Blue Mountains for the day. It's such a beautiful area. The information point overlooks the Three Sisters, 3 large rock formations, and we take a 7km walk from Katoomba to Wentworth falls and back. As the day goes into late afternoon, the gum from the eucalyptus trees begins to rise into the air to create a hazy blue cloud. This, together with the reflection of sunlight on dust particles on the mountains, makes a blue effect. At the end of the walk, we reward ourselves with a cream time in the Paragon cafe, a 1930s cafe and chocolatery. Monday evening we head out with friends to The Oaks for a bite to eat and drinks. Tuesday, fly back to Brisbane to meet Spen for ... read more

Sar, Lee and I wonder what to do for the afternoon, and decide on lawn bowling at the Anzec club! It's a cool pastime in Sydney with the young, as you can bowl and drink in the sunshine at the sametime! Lee invited his mate Jason so we played boys v girls. The girls were winning for the first hour, but then were overtaken by the boys by the end of the 2 hours. The afternoon drinking got the better of us (that's we Sar and I thought anyway!). L & S had a few friends around in the evening to watch the rugby.... read more

After relaxing in Crow's Nest, head into central Syndey. Wander around The Rocks area in more detail, and visit The Museum of Modern Art. It was a disturbing visit, and not what I was expecting! The general themes were Sex, War and Policitics, with loads of really grotesque models and statues dipicting the about theme. Not for the weak hearted. After this, I head to Syndey bridge and walk across it and back. Views of the opera house and city are fabulous. In the evening, go along to a friend of Sar's (Dan) for a BBQ with Sar and Lee. Dan and I met in the UK years ago through Sar, so it was great seeing her again.... read more