Blogs from North Island, New Zealand, Oceania - page 1146

Hi friends and family, You've probably realised by now that we're here in NZ safe and sound and having a great time chilling, surfing (I kid you not - more later!!). We had good flights out, although horribly jet lagged when we arrived in Singapore where it was about 30 degrees. Sat outside in the garden of our hotel listening to live music .. good singer, pity about his material - Englebert Humperdick is alive and well:-) We have spent a smashing 3 days with Chris and Helena - Chris has turned into a beach-bum, sun tanned, hair bleached and long (for Chris) Helena just looks gorgeous - sun bronzed and sun streaked hair - I hate her!!! At the moment we are staying at Cathedral Cove (those who know my wallpaper at work will know ... read more

Computer was sitting here......so i will use it.... The weather broke today..... After going for the morning run...(which is the best way to see a town or city) right octavian!(Krumlov, Czech Republic was the best one) I hit the hot springs which was crazy hot.......and mud pools as well.... Then after lunch, I hit the climbing gym and had a 4 hour session. They were playing Jack Johnson and Led Zepplin all afternoon.....I am pulling hard again and i will hitch hike out in the morning to Wharepapa South for the best bouldering on this island. Hey Houndzz, it has over 150 problems.......wish you guys were here!!... There is a bouldering competition in Wellington this weekend and was offered a ride by a local down to it but i still have some things to do up ... read more

Hello all. Right now we're in the city of Taupo. We just got back from a 3 day hike in Tongariro National Park which was amazing. And hard. To lighten our packs, we left our tents at the hostel and stayed in the huts along the way that are maintained by the DOC. They are pretty well maintained and clean, but the facilities are minimal. For example, they have a couple gas burners but no pots or pans or anything. There are no showers, but 2 toilets, but no toilet paper. There is running water, but it comes from a big ass vat of rainwater and technically you're supposed to boil it for 3 minutes before drinking or cooking with it. There are beds, but they're basically a bunch of pads next to each other on ... read more

So we got back to Taupo yesterday from our 3 day tramp on the Northern Circuit in Tongariro National Park. The entire park is a World Heritage Site. Aside fron the first day of the hike, which takes you up and over a volcano, the second two days are pretty flat or as the brochure describes (undulating terrain). We did do the hike with 40lbs packs on our back, so I feel a nice sense of accomplishment after this hike as well. Also most people just do the one day crossing, so they get to carry light packs. The scenery was very odd, almost felt like being on another planet. Since I just posted another blog I am just gonna post alot of pictures in this blog. Even though they don't do the scenery any justice. ... read more

We made it to the other side of the world after a 13hour flight. in the process we managed to loose a whole day with the international date line. ... read more