Blogs from Mount Eden, Auckland, North Island, New Zealand, Oceania

Vendredi j'ai quitté Warren, Nanu et Diesel direction le mont Eden, et la maison de Dan. Je devais retourner à la bamber house, au final je suis resté chez lui. Dernières heures en Nouvelle Zélandes, mon fabuleux séjour s'arrête ici... La maison se rapproche, j'y serai dans moins de 3 semaines maintenant. Sentiments partagés, triste et heureux de rentrer. Mes dernières semaines avec les copains étaient juste parfaites. Thanks so much my friends, you're just perfect, don't forget my door will be always open for you. I know Europe is far away from here, but it's worth ;) A la revoyure !! La bise ... read more

General info: Currency: New Zealand dollar Cost of living: 1500ml bottle of water 2,5$, bottle of wine 15$, meal in regular restaurant 15-20$ Another flight to beautiful New Zealand, this time without stops, was not only the longest flight in my life, but so far the longest existing direct filght in the world. This visit was dedicated to explore the city and do some local shopping. By local shopping i mean products made of honey produced only by local bees from manuka bush flowers or cosmetics made of local thermal mud with skin detoxicating properties. Also very popular are rejuvenating creams and masks made of sheep placentas, but let's say I wasn't tempted. Main point of my sightseeing was Mount Eden. The view of the city from the top was amazing, as well i was impressed ... read more

Par Sylvain: Après plusieurs mois de préparation nous voila prêts pour le départ! 25 kilos dans un sac et 15 dans l'autre pour les 9 prochains mois. Malgré nos nombreux appels à notre agence de voyage pour valider nos billets, lorsque nous arrivons au comptoir d'embarquement, on nous demande de nous mettre sur le côté afin de régler un problème: la réservation de nos sièges dans l'avion! Après quelques minutes, cela semble réglé à un détail près: nous ne sommes pas l'un à côté de l'autre pour le deuxième vol de 13h! Cela nous vaudra d'entendre nos noms dans les haut-parleurs de l'aéroport juste avant de monter dans l'avion pour nous remettre les billets correspondants aux deux places jointes que nous exigions pour notre voyage de noces! Après 6 heures de vol, nous arrivons à Dubaï ... read more

We had arranged with Caroline to see her today and we had the idea of her showing us the Auckland University campus. After our scrummy hotel breakfast we went down to collect the car. The heavens opened and the rain poured from the skies. Caroline called to say that firstly there was no way she was going to walk around the campus in this weather and secondly she was frantic in that her assignment is due to be handed in by end of day on Friday (tomorrow!) and there is a ton of work still to be done on it. So we picked her up by the university and found the veggie/vegan Indian restaurant that she has been intent on trying out. The restaurant is situated on Karangahape Road (more commonly known as K' Road). This ... read more

Yes, still in Godzone. Change of plans for this leg. Fog in Auckland cancelled our flight so we had an extra night with the farmers and then drove to Auckland. Always interesting driving on roads not frequently travelled. This one through Mt Messenger, Awakino, the King Country the Waikato, is a reminder of just what Fred Dagg's agrarian sector means to us. Without it we're stuffed mate! Mount Eden, Auckland. Meeting up,with Pip, Stu and Matt. Matt cooked - beautifully. Drank too much. Could be a recurring theme. Next day, the 24 July, we met Matt and Sam for lunch in Ponsonby (where else?). The best f & c's in NZ? Unfortunately not. Checking in no problem premium economy. On the 777 and up, up and away! Vancouver here we come.... read more