Blogs from South Auckland, Auckland, North Island, New Zealand, Oceania

Today was a better day. It wasn't raining but it was cloudy. I woke up early this morning because I didn't know how long it would take me to find somewhere to eat. I got ready for the day, locked up the room and went out for a bite. I wore my favourite shirt today. As soon as I walked out the door this morning, I found a coffee shop right across the street, it was called Esquires Coffee. Everyone looked overly happy to be there and it kind of creeped me out. It was still cold this morning so I wore a long sleeve top and a jacket. I ordered waffles with ice cream and chocolate sause and a bottle of water. After my delicious breakfast, which was really cheap, I went back to the ... read more

It is actually one of those days when we just did not happen to want to go the beach...OMG surprise yes it does happen! So I had heard from one of the girls at work that the botanic gardens were really beautiful and worth a visit. She has been fussy about a lot of things about being in New Zealand so I thought damn it must be good! So I said to hubby we have to find a day to go and this day was it. It was also not a very sunny day so we were not really missing a sunny day out at the beach anyway. I pack a blanket and our books just in case...in hindsight (don't you just hate hindsight, I mean you live and you learn right) I would not have ... read more

18 August, 5.15 nz time, somewhere over queensland I was doing last minute stuff getting ready to go until a ridiculous hr this am. So feeling sleepy here on the plane. Mum & Dad took us to the airport and saw us off which was lovely. I was driving the 2nd half of the trip & intended to show Mum the route via the Manurewa exit. What a twit I missed it and drove straight past! Wonder how Mum managing on the trip back??? We have been flying for about 3.5 hrs. Had a meal at the slightly odd time of 3pm. Scrummy prawns on spicey noodles for entree - Yummmm! Ann wanted fish for her main but they ran out (or said they did - she later saw a stewardess eating some!) she was not ... read more

We left Rotorua in a rather grey landscape, and travelled north along the coast up to Taronga, then a bit further north for lunch. After that we head across country up to Auckland and our next stop. We arrived at the farm, and the Rachel and Simon promptly met up with two other children staying and got involved in feeding the animals. We had a huge supper after that which we didn't manage to eat all of, and then we watched the Rugby (Australia v. New Zealand) - we were supporting New Zealand, as otherwise it would be a grumpy day the next day for all concerned! The next day after breakfast it was feeding time again, and then the other family left. That meant it was up to Simon and Rachel to help lead the ... read more

whoop well i made it to aucks!!! wat an achievement! jst spent two FANTASTIC days in chch with mi amazing sis lil :D :D :D we went on this aws walk in the riccarton bush (seriously.. it will blow ur mind!!) and we went to this supa fun dog park yesterday arvo. had a bbq last nite and then spent da nite playing poker.. and i didn't come last! haha AMAZING! got up this morning after about 3 hours sleep lol and flew up to aucks. went out for brekkie with ma and pa and la and nw we bak in da motel place.. jst chillin! we gonna go for a swim and have a picnic and then head bak to da airport so dat i can check in for mi flight to NY!!!! oh mi! ... read more

Well, we're back home in New Zealand. But we've got a couple of weeks to cover before we continue! On our last day in the UK we made our way to Heathrow Airport extremely early - our flight was at 10.15pm and we arrived at around 5pm! This was because we weren't sure what sort of traffic we'd encounter on the way and because we still needed to pay for our flight changes and therefore hadn't able to check in online and choose our seats. Being so early we were able to sort everything out quickly and get half decent seats on the two flights to Singapore. Then there remained nothing but to go through immigration and wait. We said our goodbyes to Lisa and went through. And waited. And waited. And waited. Richard's Ipod and ... read more