Blogs from North Island, New Zealand, Oceania

Tiritiri Matangi is an island in the Hauraki Gulf. Tiritiri Matangi, meaning "tossed by the wind", is an open scientific reserve managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC) and supporters. Open sanctuary status allows up to 170 ferry passengers daily from Wednesday to Sunday. You can also stay on the island overnight in the bunkhouse. We went for the day. On arrival shoes and bags need to be checked for seeds and pests. There are no rats or hedgehogs on the island and planting is strictly controlled. First time visitors are taken on a guided walk over beach, forest and grasslands to view the abundant birdlife in the area. Birds rarely found in other parts of NZ such as the stitchbird, brown teal, takahe, saddleback, kakariki and whitehead are so abundant here that some are being ... read more

Northland: Paihia- Maori meaning place of many pas (hill forts). Once there were many tribal wars. Every time blood was spilt, the tribes left the pa to find another. While built for defence, the main function of most pā was for the safe storage of food in pits, especially kumara, a sweet potato. They would dry out the kumara and bury it, then as they travelled they could always source food. These days Paihia is a bustling tourist town, with a ferry to Russell. the old capital of NZ, population of 2000 which rises to 70, 000 in the summer months. Paihia is the gateway to the Bay of islands and Cape Reinga, the very top of the North island. Russell, these days is a sleepy small town with around 1000 people. It has an interesting ... read more

Lynnies Travel Plans 25th May to 25th July 2012 NB I will not have my phone with me. I can be contacted on Skype. My Skype name is: lynevaughan. You can leave messages on Skype for me. I will be able to get email on occasion. Leave Friday 25th May by Thai Airways Flight TGO492 12.40pm Arrive 8.25pm Stay All Seasons Bangkok Siam (2 nights) Thailand Adventure: Day 1 Bangkok: Welcome meeting at 6pm Get acquainted with the Thai capital on a stroll down the travellers' hub of Khao San Road. Days 2-4 Kanchanaburi/ River Kwai Depart Bangkok after a morning khlong tour. Cruise the River Kwai in Kanchanaburi, visit the Jeath War Museum and swim under a waterfall in Erawan National Park. Day 5 Ayutthaya Get a sense of Siam's former glory on a guided ... read more

Try this one! http://www.travelblog.org/ then put my name in; Lynnie or vaughan and you should be able to find me....I am learning to do this so I can keep you all informed....if you want to be...whilst on my travels. Ta Luv Lynnie... read more

Intrepid say to take only 10kgs of belongings with you, so this is my list so far: one head light ( for reading and going to the toilet at night time). one microfibre towel large mosquito net ( it has mosquito repellent on it) a cotton sleeping bag inner ( my friend said i shouldnt have been so mean and got myself a silk one instead) one small bag for dirty laundry and a travelling clothesline. malaria tablets (enough for three months) I hope I remember to take them sleeping pills ( when I absolutely have to). ear plugs (when I absolutely have to). togs a long sleeved white shirt (impregnated with insect repellent.) two sets of underwear. a light gortex raincoat and small umbrella a set of shorty pyjamas ( for modesty's sake) a pashmina ... read more

Auckland. Any good bru? Of all the places I thought I'd visit by the time I'm 30 NZ was not a top priority. Brother Jack has hosted me for 4 days in his student accommodation, a shared unit with 4 others and it's been a really good time. Not just because I got to step back and pretend I was a student again with beer pong and have a fair few drinks for a couple of nights, but I found Auckland to be a pretty laid back city. Just my style. The first day, with not much sleep Jack took me on a walk up to Mt Eden - a previous active volcano, provided for an incredible panaromic view of the city. Oh, there's also a deep crater there which is grown over with grass. Pretty ... read more

Hey everyone! My 10 days in New Zealand are nearly over, I'm jetting off to Hawaii tomorrow and I can't wait! Today I'm off to to the 'Degas to Dali' exhibition at the Auckland Art Gallery. I might go to the burger place next to the hostel again tonight, as it's my last meal in New Zealand... 'Velvet Burger'... so good! And then I'm due for an early night as I have to catch the shuttle to the airport at 6:30am. Strangley enough, the girl who I'm currently rooming with here is catching the same flight to Hawaii as me and he's staying in the same hostel in Waikiki, so I have a Hawaii buddy already! I'll be honest, Auckland is rubbish. There's not much going on here. A few days ago I decided to go ... read more

Kia Ora everyone! I've been in New Zealand for a week now and I've managed to squeeze quite a lot in. Unfortunately I don't have time to visit the South island, as I'm only here for 10 days in total, which is a shame but there's always next time! When I last blogged I was staying in a hostel dorm for four people, but I was all on my own for the first couple of days I was in there - it sounds like a good thing, but actually I was starting to get pretty bored. Auckland is not a super interesting city to wander around by yourself for days on end, and there's not all that much to do here either. Fortunately I had booked to go to a trip to the Waitomo glowworm caves ... read more