We enjoyed and will never forget Fiji. The locals were so friendly and this appeared to rub of on our fellow travellers who were by far the friendliest we have met and we found many who we now call friends. On the Yasawa Islands there were beautiful beaches, super snorkling and fab food. However we were there too long. All the resorts include compulsary food packages (anyway there are no shops), so we paid the same as people (like our sort of friend David) who eat double what we do.! Also we were obliged to pay the resort's prices for drinks. [View Full Entry]

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Coming back to the main island and Nadi was like returning home. Shops, buses and restaurants. We had not seen any of these for nearly 4 weeks. Next day we had decided to catch the bus into town to try to get the camera repaired. Whilst waiting at the bus stop a girl came running up waving, It wass Anja who we mentioned in our last blog. This was the 3rd time we had met each other on 3 different islands. We arranged to eat together that evening. We were warned on the radio that "every man and his dog was [View Full Entry]

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Arriving at Octopus is like a different world after the indifferent Otto & Fanny's and the nice Manatary, this was luxury. Our bure had a wardrobe, chairs and a large ensuite. We have not paid the extra for a beach bure, so again we were 10 metres from the beach. A choice of 10 meals at dinner (lunch) and evening at more at tea (dinner), a swimming pool, film nights, beautiful beach and more mature guests. The only downfall was the internet access at 4 pounds for 30 mins and only emails allowed. Hence our last blog was late. There is [View Full Entry]

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We dedicate this blog entry to our good friends, Mick & Di, who were peacefully travelling around India, happened to be in Mumbai at the wrong time and received bad injuries, which means as we write this Mick is still in hospital. Mick & Di, from our friends and travellers everywhere, we hope you both recover well. The Yasawa Flyer (island hopper boat) is not particlarly cheap, but well organised. Each day it winds its way up the islands and then down again radioing each resort with their ETA. As you embark your luggage is placed in order for each destination. [View Full Entry]

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So by seaplane did we set off for Yasawa Islands and the resort of Otto and Fanny's. We were joined on the plane by a charming couple, Gary and Louise. Gary is a banker and they are both from London, but living in Sydney where they have gone to work for 4 years. It was a nice day, we were all excited as we had a 21 years old Canadian pilot who looked only 14 and that he should have been doing his paper round. Halfway into the 40 mins flight it went misty and then started to rain. Soon we [View Full Entry]

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Bula from Fiji, We had arranged a hotel, Sandalwood Lodge, in Nadi for the first 3 nights and it was fine. The people here are unbelievably friendly. Road workmen shout "Bula" to us from the other side of the road and are even more friendly when they find out we are from "The Mother Country". By the time we had been here 24 hours, we had been invited to 2 homes for Christmas. However, our destinations are 3 of the Yasawa Islands and we had to arrange to travel there. With the help of our hotel reception, we bit the bullet [View Full Entry]

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Of course, as we have written, South Island knocked us out, we should have stayed for at least 3 weeks. However, once you have seen it, you have seen it. We were punch drunk from all the views. North Island was not so dramatic, but still has some great sights and here we would like to have travelled more. Most towns are reasonably pretty but coming from Europe we could not get excited by them. Then there are the people. The Kiwis are, like the Aussies, very friendly, and we met some great ones. Our biggest trouble was understanding them as [View Full Entry]

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And so into the centre of the island and to Rotorua. We have soaked in thermal baths before so our interest was in seeing a geyser. We went to Wai-O-tapu Thermal Wonderland, 9 pounds each (no reduction for seniors). The highlight is the Lady Knox Geyser that is induced to blow 10 metres high each at 10.15 am by dropping 300g of soap into the blow hole (see photo). Having paid to see the rest of the park we did the 1 1/2 hour walk around the whole place and it was well worth it. Many lakes have been formed of [View Full Entry]

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A quick flight and we are in Auckland. This feels like a different country, so much more like England. Christchurch is a pretty town, Auckland is a city! As near to being like Sydney as it gets. It is on a massive natural harbour, is built around the central quay and has ferries to all different points in the harbour. It even has a harbour bridge and a revolving Sky Tower (the tallest in the Southern Hemisphere). Michelle wanted to go to the top of the Sky Tower but Terry, being scared of heights was reluctant. However, he agreed. He found [View Full Entry]

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We flew to Christchurch on Michelle's birthday; this earned her a large glass of sparkling wine from the flight attendant. As soon as we landed we were amazed at the scenery. Next day, Sunday, we had a day trip and drive around the Banks Peninsula, which was incredible, certainly some of the best scenery we have seen in our lives. There were many coves with a pea green sea which we saw from high cliffs. Various sailing dinghies were racing below. We continued round to Akaroa, which was originally a French settlement and a French influence still shows. Akaroa is a [View Full Entry]

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