On the 23rd of Feb we left Auckland for the 83rd and final time (although its immense gravitational pull is getting larger and larger as it sucks in more and more galaxies). As the van reached the necessary escape velocity (80kph, Southeasterly direction, State Highway 1) we felt a strange sense of sensation as over 35% of the entire country's population were now behind us - we were heading into Real New Zealand. As we headed towards our target destination, Rotorua, we contemplated visiting "Hobbiton" on the way. It was not to be, partly because of the extortionate cost ($50pp) of [View Full Entry]

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After some initial work to the van, we decided to test it out properly and head north... Parakai A short drive north we decided to stop at the thermal pools of a small village called Parakai. We pretty much enjoyed the afternoon and the heated pools before heading up north the next day... Dargaville and North to the Kauri forests We shared the driving this day, heading north from Parakai and up through a town called Dargaville (seemed nice enough but was cut off from the internet so we headed on). Our goal was the Waipoua Kauri tree forests which we [View Full Entry]

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After missing the 1st of Feb (it didn't exist for us because we crossed the international dateline backwards) we landed in Auckland on the 2nd of Feb. This article will probably be added to shortly as we write about our adventures so far in NZ. Suffice it so say that we have bought a little van and now have it kitted out with everything from a queen-sized mattress to a chest of drawers. In our little home-on-wheels we have travelled about around the Northland region (the area north of Auckland) and seen some wonderful scenery in the generally great NZ weather. [View Full Entry]

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Welcome to South America! I thought I would do a special article as a summary with links to the top 12 highlights of the 4-month South American leg of our Round the World trip. For those interested in doing something similar or those interested in a quick round-up this covers the whole first leg of the trip, all the way from Quito (Sep 2004), to Rio in January 2005. Click here to see a map of our route! Our South American Oddysey, starting with Ecuador We landed in Quito (Ecuador's capital) on the [View Full Entry]

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To all our adoring fans, we are still alive, and well too. The reason for the dearth of Travelblog entries over the past few weeks is that we've been busy, very busy in fact. I will begin with the most exciting and interesting article first to keep you interested, and fill in the gaps with the other places we've been to at a later date, for those who insist on 100% coverage. In one line though (current status): We're in New Zealand, with a van. Weather and people nice. Rio de Janeiro I've titled this article "The Marvelous City" because that [View Full Entry]

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After a disappointing "scenic" train journey from Curitiba we hopped on a bus to Paranagua to get a boat to Honey Island or Ilha do Mel. On the way we met up with an Australian guy and an American girl who were staying at the same hostel as us, the Hostel Zorro in Encantadas town. As it was raining on the island when we arrived (it seems to rain more than it does in Ireland in Brazil at this time of the year) we decided to play a drinking game that Becky, the American 21 year-old university student, devised. Two bottles [View Full Entry]

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This entry's all about a not-so-famous-but-great-nonetheless place called Curitiba. It's located a bit down and to the left of Rio for the geography students amongst us. Curitiba was described in the Lonely Planet as one of Brazil's urban success stories, and we thought we'd check it out on our way up to Rio via some beaches and other places. We arrived on the 18th of Jan in the early evening, and basically crossed the road from the bus station in order to check into our hotel. This was mainly for convenience, because the next morning we planned to take the "Scenic" [View Full Entry]

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After a thirteen hour bus journey we arrived hungry in Florianopolis. We had been spoilt by Argentinian bus journeys and found it difficult to get used to crackers as our only nourishment for thirteen hours. We picked up some maps of the area and set about organising some transport. A car seemed the best way to get around so we hired one and set off for Ilha de Santa Catarina (Santa Catarina Island). Barra de Lagoa We got to know the island pretty well looking around for a pousada (a mini appartment with kitchen etc.). There seemed to be lots happening [View Full Entry]

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After three days of doing little more than sunbathing, swimming and eating, we thought it was about time we got back down to some ´real´ travelling. The Brazilian Cataratas (falls) We hired a taxi driver for the day to take us to the Brazilian side of Iguazu to get our bus onward to Florianopolis. Before we got the bus, he took us to the falls, a bird park and the amazing Itaipú dam. Our driver (can´t remember his name, lets call him Jorge for simplicity) collected us at 8.30 am and we set off for the the Brazilian border. After passing [View Full Entry]

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Truly a natural wonder of the world, I know of no falls more beautiful or impressive than those at Iguazú - read on and take a look at the pictures. aaaaah...paradise We flew from Cordoba to Iguazu and really struck gold from the moment we stepped off the plane. Iguazu has turned out to be pretty much our idea of paradise, great location, great hostel (with an amazing pool) and gorgeous weather. We set off to the park the morning after we arrived bright and early, we were able to catch a bus right outside the hostel. The entrance to the [View Full Entry]

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