After the idyllic campsite we set of for Tongariro National Park - a mountainous area of recentish volcanic activity. The weather deteriorated gradually and on arrival at Whakapapa village, we were down to 50 yards visibility and steady rain. We decided at least to do a short sheltered walk and donned boots waterproof trousers and jackets and set off. After 20 minutes we gave up, headed back to the car and drove down to Lake Taupo, checked in at the Youth Hostel and spent the afternnon doing laundry. When it stopped, we went for a walk along the Waikato river at the edge of town to the Huka Falls. On the way we pasrt people bathing at the conluence of the river and a thermal stream - strange to see a river with steam coming out ... read more

To continue where Willy left off/ We met Sue, who has a puzzle shop in the middle of the forest. Her husband, a Dutchman called Louis is very into puzzles. They've traevlled abroad to puzzle parties and had been in San Francisco and Yosemite earlier this year. Anyway we stopped, talked for a while and then made a cup of coffee on our camping stove on their back lawn - 1st time in 9 years that she'd been offered coffee by any of their customers. We followed a Dept of Conservation (DOC) track from there into the forest and saw our first kauri trees - absolutely incredible trees - very tall and very ancient, about 5 feet diameter. We stopped for lunch at a view point across the ancient jungly forest - there are so many ... read more

Arrived here the other night after fleeing storm in Aukland. We camped last night on the coast about 20 miles form town. Lovely spot and an empty site. There were lots of birds, including screechers, badger headed grouse, fat cuckoos, yellow hammers and red headed parakeets, oh and a family of quail. (Names may or may not be correct, but one has to call them something). We had a nocturnal vistor last night - we woke at about 3am to a rustling sound in the outer tent. It was a hedgehog, helping itself to some bread we'd kleft there. It later ate our last two chocolate coated apricots, which were in a sealed polythene bag. Now we know that we mustn't leave food there... Here's a picture of the beach beside the camp site... read more

Awakened by the rain, Wendy still asleep so got up had coffee and as this machine was free thought I'd do a quick update as we may not have decent access for a bit. Its really p***ing down here at the moment. Despite inauspicious start I'm getting to like Aukland. The city has a fantastic location with water on all sides, its a strange combination of older British/European and US stiles mixed thrown together. Some bits are pretty ugly light industrial units then just riound the corner their will be a couple of nice buildings and a small park with beautiful trees. The trees (and flowers are one of the most redeeming features (as they are of most cities)). Most of the trees here are pretty impressive - perfect climate for growth - huge oaks, Norfolk ... read more

Update. Last entry was LA. Well our experience of LA was limited to the freeway, busy, the airport boring and the Sheraton Hotel very comfortable. The latter was an unplanned pleasant surprise. After hanging around LA airport for some 3 or 4 hours, food crap, facilities non existent - Cardiff airport departure lounge has very much superior facilities. (Fiji airport has much better facilities more about that later) we discovered our flight had been postponed till the following morning (8 AM rather than the original 10 20 PM). By this time it was almost 5PM we went to the Air NZ desk and were told they were going to put us up for the night in the local Sheraton Hotel with vouchers for dinner & breakfast. Transport was provided and so we found ourselves in a ... read more