Blogs from Whangarei, North Island, New Zealand, Oceania - page 32

Got coach up here on sun 8th before staring 'work' the next day. Was a pretty cool and scenic trip - not even the Megabus has a commentary from a shorts and long sock wearing driver called Derek and makes a stop at the 'Swinging Cow Cafe'! Whangarei is the biggest town around but still pretty small. So far we have visited a couple of bars (inc Frings Brewhouse) and cafes. Also found the $2 store which beats the 99p store in Camden both on price (15p cheaper!) and the lack of people having punchups inside. Everyone in the hospital seems friendly and knows each other, have managed to do some work inc a resus.... The accomodation is 'characterful' but only a 3 min walk from work and the hospital swimming pool - more updates on ... read more

Kia Ora from New Zealand! In lazy, British fashion, it's the only Mauri word I've learnt so far, so don't be too impressed. I've only been here a few days and I'm already realising the majesty of this country's natural environment. Auckland city region is covering in 2 things - boats (known as the 'City of Sails', Auckland has more boats per population head than any other city in the world) and volcanoes. Stretching out to sea are little volcanic clumps everywhere. Naturally, I felt I had to climb a couple, both on Devonport, a quaint little island north of Auckland Bay. Up top, I got an awesome view of the harbour, surround islands and the Auckland skyline, which looks similar to Toronto's - being on the coast and having its own version of the CN ... read more

i am in whangarei now. visiting friends i didn't know i had until i planned this trip. they are amazing people, more welcoming to me as a stranger than anyone i've ever met before. their house is currently being redone and i am staying in their only other space....a small cottage just beyond it. the cottage is fully functional with it's own kitchen and living room. they live in a house atop a hill about 2km from the road, and on about 40 acres of land. rhondda is the only female master paper maker in the world, trained by the japanese. john is retired and now works solely on their property, managing their newly planted orchard and the trails that cover it. we've eaten dinner together each night and i have spent my days around whangarei. ... read more