After our campervanning adventures we returned for a great few days in Auckland. We had fish and chips on the beach, took in great views of the city from the top of Mount Eden, had a lovely lunch at Kermadec in the Viaduct looking out at the yachts and Gary made it over to Waiheke Island when I was at work too.. Best of all though was our last day when my mate Graeme took us out on his boat 'Sea Ox' to go Fishing!!! The 0500 rise was a struggle!!! Nice watching the sunrise as we went out of the Maraetai harbour though. Gary caught the first snapper and it was a big one and then I caught 2 at once...dinner. Yum. Was a great day out of the Huaraki Gulf - so picturesque. ... read more

PART 2 WEDNESDAY 4TH NOVEMBER 2010 - WAITOMO TO ROTORUA Woke up really early for the drive to Waitomo where we were going on a caving expedition with the Black Water Rafting Co. First we stopped in the Kiwiana Town of Otorohanga.........Kiwis are very proud of their "Kiwiana" which consists of such exciting things like kiwifruits (actually from China) and Pavlova (they Aussies also lay claim to this), sheep (found widely around the world) and a little wooden toy that they are all crazy for (Prince Wills had one when he was a baby. Apparently.) called Buzzy Bee. Weird. Nuff said. Continued our drive through Kings Country until we arrived in Waitomo and promptly got handed our oh so flattering wetsuits and helmets before getting a crash course on abseiling - thats how we entered the ... read more

Waikato Stadium Saturday 12th September 2009 The excitement and build up to this game was immense in NZ. Rugby really is the national religion here!!! I was a total tourist kiwi wannabe and went out and bought the AB tshirt and cap!!! As long as I didn't open my mouth no one could identify me as a non-kiwi!!! Atmosphere in the Waikato Stadium was amazing and they put on a really good show with fireworks etc. Hearing the national anthem for the first time in English and Maori was cool. But the Haka is what I'd come for - COOL!!! Ooooh but it didn't do them any good - they lost! Springboks were too good but as long as I saw the Haka and Dan Carter in the flesh I ws happy. And I WAS HAPPY. ... read more

Whakapapa August 2009 What a great girls weekend to the snow! I once more drive down to the Tongariro National Park, past beautiful Lake Taupo to the snowy peaks of Ruapehu and Nghuarahoe to hit the slopes. It was the usual brunch (french toast, bacon and maple syrup yummmmmmmmmmmmm) in Cambridge then to Whakapapa to brush up on my carving. Lisa enjoyed her first ever lesson and I think she may have caught the snow bug - Rachel was determined to go a bit Eddie the Eagle with her dashing new ski helmet!! I had a lesson too and actually got a hottie ski instructor (mine are usually 70+ and crinkly) We finished the day off with a Macs Gold at the pub in front of Chateau Tongariro and somehow ended up in some pretty ... read more

Friday 26th - Sunday 28th June 2009 Ohakune - Tongariro National Park WELL I have to say last weekend when I checked out the snow at Mount Ruapehu was an experience. One which I may not dwell on here. It was a bit crazy and I shall gloss over the most part BUT Ishbel - a girl from work and I headed off at lunchtime Friday for the 5 hour drive South past lake Taupo to the Tongariro National Park area to ski Turoa and Whakapapa (pronounced something that sounds rude so I won't elaborate). Both these ski fields are on Mount Ruapehu which is an active volcano which quite often erupts lava over whoever is in its way which doesn't seem to put skiers and boarders off - it was mayhem busy!! We stayed in ... read more