Hello all Well it's nearly time to leave New Zealand and return to UK via KL and Langkawi We've had a great time with generally good weather but the locals tell us the weather has been much colder and unsettled than usual for the time of year. We left Coromandel on 28th and drove north up the west coast of the peninsula to see some of the lovely isolated rugged coves and then re-traced our route down the west coast via Thames to Miranda hot springs where we spent Sat night. Again took advantage of outdoor hot springs at 38' to [View Full Entry]

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Hi all Went to a Maori experience evening on wed and had traditional welcome with the challenge and then the song and dance with explanation by the chief followed by a hangi - meal of steamed food - and then a bush walk to see the glow worms and springs.A great night and as close to it used to be as possible - not a hint of hollywood style stage produced like some we heard of. Thursday went to see some waterfalls on the way to Taurangi and climbed the peninsula for geat views of the area. Moved on yesterday to [View Full Entry]

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Hello again Left Wellington Sunday am and drove to Napier. Weather was good and had a BBQ with Joy Trevor Sarah Lisa and 2 friends Went into Napier Mon am and did the art deco walking tour - highly recommended. Back to Joy's and out for a tour of vineyards and lunch then on to Taupo. As we arrived we saw a house coming down the road a more literal meaning to someone moving home - see photo Tuesday did a tour around Taupo in the am and saw first of our geothermal sites Took a sailing boat trip on the [View Full Entry]

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Hello all Arrived in Wellington Friday night after a very calm crossing from South Island. Can be one of the worst stretches of water when the wind is from the south. Before leaving South Island we went to Abel Tasmen Park on Thursday and took a boat from Kaiteriteri to Bark Bay and a walk along the coastal track to the Falls River swing bridge and back to the beach for a swim and sunbathing. Back to Nelson via Grape Escape for a few gifts and fish and chips at Port Mapua - lovely freshly caught. Friday drove to Picton for [View Full Entry]

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Hi All Arrived in Nelson on Tuesday pm after almost 3 days of rain as we travelled up the west coast. Stayed in Franz Josef Sunday night hoping for weather change Monday but by 9am it was still v cloudy over the mountains and no flights we going. Decided to move on up the coast to Westport - a long day driving but not a lot to see on the way if the weather's poor. Apparently the views are great over the mountains when the weather's fine. Stopped for 2 hours at Hokatiki to se the kiwis in an artificial nocturnal [View Full Entry]

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Hi all Travelled over the Haast Pass from Wanaka to Fox Glacier yesterday. Wanaka very nice along the lake front - sat out and had a coffee and would have been nice to sit and relax there for a day but had to move on. Driving times are longer than you would expect despite very little traffic on roads but winding roads and lots of stops to look at views all take time. Arrived at Haast on West Coast at about 2pm and it started raining as we pulled into the local tourist office and has rained almost non-stop since. planned [View Full Entry]

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Hello all Comtinuing to have a great time. Weather remains good with lots of sun and very little rain. It's been quite a busy 3 days since the last entry. We moved on from Dunedin and headed south towards Te Anau. Took a detour of about 100km from Balclutha when we went to see the wildlife around Nugget Point and Surat Bay. Not much at the former except seals swimming below the cliffs but at Surat we met up - almost literally - with the sealions. We went for a walk on the grassy track behind the beach and could see [View Full Entry]

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Hello all Had a good journey down from C'church to Dunedin vie Oamaru. Set off late from C'church due to delays with campervan so stopped a night in Oamaru. went to see the yellow eye penguins on the way but could only see them from about 100m away on the beach. Stopped for lunch on the beach and saw these boulders - amazing geological phenomenon. Called in at Shag Point and spotted several fur seals on the rocks. Arrived Dunedin Sunday and went out to Otago peninsula ( went along the Highcliffe Rd to get there - sheer drops and tight [View Full Entry]

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Hi all Hope you are enjoying this trip as much as we are. Christchurch is a wonderful place great people and a great community feel to the place. Pace of life just right and very relaxed attitudes - not seen or heard anyone stressed yet! I've put some photos on the earlier entries. Hope they look ok. Took a tram trip around centre of C'church today takes 25 mins right round then you can get on and off as often as you want. Ticket lasts 48hrs. Nice buildings and lovely botanical gardens lots of flowers out right now. Had a meal [View Full Entry]

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Hello all We finally made it to NZ and arrived in bright sunshine in Auckland before transferring to Quantas for the flight to Christchurch. Cloudy but warm with some snow on the mountains just to the north Setting off to tour the city tomorrow by tram and then on foot. Getting a shuttle bus to Brighton beach tomorrow for bonfire and fireworks. Staying in the Charlotte Jane hotel in a residential suburb of Christchurch. It's a boutique hotel lots of wooden floors and panelling. It used to be a school and has been turned into a lovely hotel. Looking back to [View Full Entry]

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