Blogs from Wellington, Wellington Region, North Island, New Zealand, Oceania - page 7

Hi everyone!! We're updating again as our last blog was purely sky-diving, and although that was incredible fun there was far more to tell you about the North Island!! We began in Aukland but really only spent one night there getting over jet-lag and didn't even get a chance to venture into the town! We picked up our van and headed to the glow-worm filled caves of Waitomo for our black water rafting trip! We slipped into our wetsuits and walked down towards the caves. The water was absolutely freezing and we spent 3 hours in the caves floating along on massive rubber rings with only our headlamps (and the light of the glow-worms) to guide us! At some points we were told to shut off our lights and we were in the pitch back, and ... read more

Here are some pictures that I took myself (on my phone so not great resolution), thought I'd post them as the Trademe entry will disappear. Will get some more soon. The sea is literally across the road. Barry... read more

Winter in Queensland in Australia is like a good summer in Ireland but arriving in Auckland felt exactly like being at home that is to say, cold, windy and wet. New Zealand was in the grip of an icy spell of weather and elsewhere in the country lots of snow was being dumped on the mountains. We went straight to the nearest outdoor clothing store and bought some very warm jackets. Next we picked up our campervan which turned out to be a lot larger than either or Alice or I had dreamed it would be and following a detailed briefing we headed out on the open road. Another dream made reality. We headed for the Coromandel peninsula south of Auckland on a day which was grey and not very promising. After a night spent in ... read more

Well have now moved up to an area called Northland which is about a 30 minute walk to work, or a 15-20 minute bus ride into town but am loving it. First night in a proper bed was so lovely!! Slept wonderfully! Currently still working at Clarkes cafe in the library. New flat is awesome, am living with 4 other girls but one s leaving by the 8th June-ish. But all good so far. moved in last sunday.Have so many bags of stuff and clothes, is quite ridiculous considering what i brought with me was bugger all!! Will have to try get some photos sometime. Weather is generally warm when its sunny but only in the sun, and nights are getting colder but it is coming along to winter here now! Attempting to knit myslef a ... read more

I’m so glad to finally be somewhere that 90% of the food is organic. Even the McDonald’s is healthier here because of the oil they use. There’s fruit and vegetables in the house at all times, and they don’t really used processed food. Instead of going shopping and buying a lot groceries at once, they prefer to go to the supermarket a few times a week so their food is fresh. Families always eat dinner together, and sometimes breakfast. They cook a lot here because eating out is so expensive. I don’t mind, I’ve been eating at a restaurant for years now. It’s nice to have home cooked meals and sit down together. It’s a new thing for me to discuss my day with someone, and it be positive conversation, haha. Don’t get me wrong, I ... read more