Day two of the Kiwi Experience bus  Whitianga ------> Rotorua The day started early so we could be at hot water beach at low tide, yes this is a beach with hot water.  The water rolling in from the sea is quite cool but our tour guide explained that if we get the right spot, it is possible to dig and make your own hot pool.  This is due to the geo-thermal activity taking place just under our feet. So my team hired some spades and started digging - there were already a few people bathing in the hot water, and [View Full Entry]

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Day One of the Kiwi Experience bus pass from Auckland -----> Chirstchurch After a late start we were on our way, the first main stop on our trip is Hahei Beach. Despite feeling quite unwell I signed up for another kayaking trip - which promised some of the best paddling in N.Z. The 3hr trip had aparently won awards so i thought I would give it a go. I was pretty pleased to see tandem kayaks layed out on the beach because I can hardly breath today. [the relatives have a cat and I didn't bring my inhaler with me so [View Full Entry]

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I really enjoyed sea-kayaking when I tried it in Canada last year - so I was looking forward to having another go here in N.Z.  Although last time I was in a tandem kayak with the instructor [I suspect] doing most of the work.  This time in Paihia the guide said I should try a single kayak - the main difference would be I would be in control of steering aswell as the paddling. I got paddling and the steering was quite tricky(possibly it as adjusted properly for my short legs)  - I just seemed to be going zig-zag the whole time making [View Full Entry]

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As I am sitting here I seem to be getting eaten alive by little black flies that don't even have the decency to inject a chemical so I don't feel it! I am a bit stuck for words at the minute so this won't be a long entry and I have left my written journal back at the hostel so I will fill in a log about the trip to Dubai later in the week. I am feeling a little dodgy, I went on this 40knott jet boat ride out to see 'the hole in the rock' it was 17miles out to sea.  I [View Full Entry]

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Hiya folks, I arrived in Auckland around lunchtime and not feeling too tired despite only having an hours sleep between Dubai and Auckland. The journey was in three parts Dubai ---> Singapore ---> Brisbane ---> Auckland. The first two flights were about 7hrs or so. Quite a cool part of the flight was getting to stay on the plane in Singapore while the plane was refueled and passangers got on and off. The cleaners came onboard and gave the plane a not so thorough going over. Quite a serious point was put across the flight intercom as we arrived in Singapore, [View Full Entry]

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Its sooo Hot here in Dubai so the first day after breakfast I decided to check out the hotel roof top pool where ther were a few blokes running around and jumping in and out of the pool in their pants - wasn't quite sure where to look so just read my travel guides and waited until they had gone before I decided to test the water for myself. I debated for along time if it was appropriate for me to strip down to my swimming costume in public in an Arab country, in the end I figured it would be [View Full Entry]

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Glasgow ----->  Dubai First of all I must thank my Dad and arguably 'helpful' little brother for getting me to the airport on time, [Thurs 1st July] where I successfully checked in for my Emirates flight to Dubai.  Unfortunately there were no window seats left but hey @ least that means I don't have to ask permission before I can go for a wander or visit the toilet - a priviledge I am sure children in my class would enjoy!! When boarding I showed a rather gorgeous air steward my boarding card. (yes, I really do seem to have a thin [View Full Entry]

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We can all visit the Egyptian Pyramids, Ayers Rock, Niagra Falls and bungee 102m in Queenstown, and we are all capable of taking photos of the sights and describing the experience to bored/jealous friends and family but I suppose it is the little things one notices and does that makes each travellers experience unique and stories interesting.  So in this journal I don't want to boast all the time, now and again I will tell you about silly or funny moments that will hopefully make you chukle at the computer screen.  So please humour me as I go off on a [View Full Entry]

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Hello to all my family, friends and colleagues that have been putting up with my constant ranting about travelling since I caught the travel bug a year ago in Canada. I have booked a six week trip away for the summer holidays (winter in NZ & OZ), I leave on 1st July 2004. It is my aim to keep you all updated on my where abouts and antics while leaving myself a wee reminder to browse when I am back at work and wishing myself away once more. Hopefully I will be able to post some photos up here aswell. You [View Full Entry]

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