Blogs from North Island, New Zealand, Oceania - page 1226

Pihi is one of the closest beaches to the house and the one we went to most of the time.Its where i attempted to surf, but also spent a few days out swimming in the 'blue pool', chiiling out on the beach or watching the surf comps held there. Had a few meals at the life savers club (which i almost got thrown out of because i wasnt wearing a top that covered my shoulders), had a few BBQ at Neil and Paulas friends Mark and Gill or at Paul and Kirstens. One good day in piha was spent at Neils friend Peej's stag doo at the bowling club. I beat my uncle Neil in a close first game then got beaten by Peej (had to let him win as it was his doo!!!honest)... read more

Before I got to New Zealand the plan was to get a job at the Hardware café but Neil and Paula mentioned Toby Restaurant around the corner that I hadn’t seen last time I was here. Handed my CV to both and the Hardware had enough staff but Tobys had just opened again after being closed down for serving minors!! Went for a trial there and met the staff and a few locals then got called into to talk about shifts with Jeanette (the owner). Supposed to start the week after but she rang me the next day to ask if I could work. Learned how to set up the bar and all the wines, beers, till etc and met the regulars again. Got to know all the staff and customers quite well although I didn’t ... read more

About 10 minutes walk away from the house is Titirangi village. It has the usual supermarket, dairy, chemist library etc. The Hardware café is a popular place throughout the day and night and also Tobys Restaurant where I worked behind the bar. I went to the village during the day to get some lunch or have a drink at the hardware, occasionally at night to have a few beers with Neil and his mate Peej and obviously go to work or have a drink at Tobys.... read more

To be honest, I did not know New Zealand was composed of two islands before I went. Yeah I know, I am pretty ignorant. Anyways, so our travel iteniary is pretty much the following. Fly into Auckland, which is the biggest city in the North Island, and then take another flight down to the southern tip of the North Island and take the ferry into the South Island. Rent the car at the South Island and make a loop around. After that, return to the north, rent another car, and start making our way back to Auckland airport again. Because the South Island was so desolate and unpopulated, coming back to the North Island almost felt like you are back in civilization in someways. Well, on the downside, it also meant more cars, more people, and ... read more

So, here we are sat back in the UK, 3 months after we left NZ after spending nearly 12 months there, i've got a tear in me eye!! ... it was such an amazing place and we met so many amazing people, we were really upset to be leaving and think about the things we experienced and the people we met all the time, we're always looking at our photo's remember what once was!! One of the reasons we liked it so much was because it was so far away from any other country that it has it's own uniqueness about it, it does take ideas from other countries but then puts a kiwi touch to it! Anyway I can't write any more as I am sooo upset about being here in the UK thinking about ... read more