Blogs from North Island, New Zealand, Oceania - page 1232

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » East Coast » Opotiki December 3rd 2002

Stayed at Steve’s Beachhouse Backpackers. The Beachhouse Backpackers is about 2 miles out of the small town of Opotiki, Steve had in his time travelled the world from his home in Auckland, returned after 5 years and asked where the best climate in New Zealand could be found - the east cape. The weather for me was good, and I enjoyed a walk along the beach, a wander through the town and relaxed for the evening. The Budget Backpacker Hostels network or the BBH is a group of independent hostels that are rated and listed in a book. Holding a BBH card entitles the bearer to a guaranteed price, in my experience the hostels that are members of this group tend to be the smaller, friendlier hostels. I purchased a card and set about saving a ... read more

The Coromandel

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Coromandel » Coromandel Town December 2nd 2002

Calves on the Coromandel

Ali

East of Auckland across the Hauraki Gulf extends the Coromandel Peninsula. Coromandel Town home to a few thousand lies in an area of really attractive countryside. I managed to get to Coromandel in my new car. I purchased a car in Auckland, $1400 NZ, 1987 Mitsubishi Lancer estate, I should be able to sleep in the back of the car, save money on hostels occasionally, sell the car on at the end of the trip. I get to go exactly where I want to, when I want to, and New Zealand is really nice to drive in, the roads are mostly empty. So I drove to Coromandel, 3hrs from Auckland, enjoyed the freedom. Stopped in Thames, found a really nice hostel in Coromandel, Lion’s Den Hostel, run by Lynda. Lynda is really nice and gave me ... read more

Bay Of Islands

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Northland » Paihia November 29th 2002

Whales

Ali

A four hour bus ride north from Auckland and the Bay of Islands, described some where as the "jewel of Northland". I felt that after almost 5 days working in Auckland - from the Net Central Internet Cafe - that I deserved a break. Paihai is a small town with a population of 7200. It caters really well for backpackers, on just one small road over 2000 backpacker beds are available. The beach is just out front of the town and the just across the bay is the pretty town of Russell. I stayed in a small and friendly backpackers (hostels are called backpackers in NZ) called Pipi Patch Lodge, really nice place. The rooms of the Pipi Patch are clean, hold 8 backpackers and have comfy beds. Though on the downside the BBQ at $10 ... read more

Cape Reinga

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Northland » Cape Reinga November 28th 2002

Cape Reinga

Ali

The most northly and western point of New Zealand is not Cape Reinga. We realised this after reading the full description in the Lonely Planet. However it is the most northerly accessible point of the North Island. Cape Reinga is the point where the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean meet, with swell 10m high at certain times. At the tip of the Cape is a Light House, and the freshest air I have breathed for a long time. It takes about 3hrs to drive from Paihai to Cape Reinga, if the trip was solely for the light house and the cape it would be a little excessive. Fortunately on the end of Ninety Mile Beach are some magnificant sand dunes. Walked through the dunes feeling like an extra from Star Wars. Wondering if Cape Reinga ... read more

The Land of the Great Auck

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Auckland November 18th 2002

Sky Tower

Ali

I arrived in Auckland. I might have well arrived home, in the airport even before the baggage claim a lovely lady behind a stand offers you a free cup of tea or coffee. First thing in the morning after a long nights flight this is just what is needed. So I wandered through immigration and baggage reclaim sloshing my near scolding tea across my hands, baggage and pristine clean floor. I caught a bus down town to the Auckland Central Backpackers. Met a couple from Cardiff/Isle of Wight as I got off the bus they were on their way to the ACB as well. The ACB is the largest and most commercial hostel I have ever seen, over 600 beds, a huge Internet cafe and a kitchen that is a strange cross between a busy restaurant ... read more

NEW ZEALAND - Auckland - Taupo - Rotorua

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island May 1st 2002

Kiwi sunset

Pas

In May 2002 i went to Auckland, New Zealand for about 14 weeks.... read more

Round-the-world 1: New Zealand:

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Auckland March 11th 2002

Skydive in New Zealand

SLP

Sky diving over a lake in NZ If you are wondering why there is a picture on the way down of my bare feet over the lake....it is because I was wearing flip flops at the time and the guys told me that I couldn't jump with them as they would fall off (obviously). Despite the sun my feet were frozen by the time we landed.... read more

Travel Madness

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Auckland January 26th 2002

dougfitz

This was the trip that started the travel madness. E had won a prize from Ansett Airlines to go anywhere in Australia, and one from Air New Zealand to go anywhere on their network. Then Ansett went broke, and Air New Zealand said they would honour the prize with a trip to any destination in NZ. We were saving up to go to Gallipoli in Turkey for Anzac Day, so we were not interested in spending a lot, so decided to travel to Auckland for the Australia Day long weekend. ... read more

The Land of the Long White Cloud

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Wellington December 22nd 2001

White water rafting, Rangitikei river

Tom Rooney

I crossed the Tasman Sea on a three hour flight to reach destination Auckland, the largest city of our closest neighbour and great mates from New Zealand. The country of four million people is blessed with sublime natural scenery, friendly people, superb tourist infrastructure and world class beer. Oh, and it's also the adventure capital of the world! If you have a taste for adventure and wanna do something wild and crazy ... sweet as a nut bro, just come to NZ and the Kiwis will take care of you. I was out of the airport like a shot, and had a few days to explore Auckland before joining a pre booked bus trip with Kiwi Experience. I chose the option of a three week jump on, jump off tour of the North and South Island ... read more

Rafting Over a Waterfall

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Wellington November 24th 2001

Rafting over a Waterfall

Born to travel

We're in Wellington, New Zealand at the moment, killing time before getting a ferry to the south island tonight. We've been here about a week and, so far, it’s great. Auckland was a really cool city, and from there we headed to Hamilton to catch up with a friend from Japan, Michelle. Got to experience some good old kiwi culture - a mad beer drinking competition! Believe me, these guys can really gulp it down (Brits pale in comparison!). The best news is that the girls out-drank the boys - hoorah! It's official - girls are better drinkers than boys!!! Next on the list was the town of Rotorua, famous for its geothermal areas - geysers, mudpools, and that distinct eggy smell! After a quick side-trip to the coastal town of Tauranga to spend a few ... read more

Brief history of New Zealand

The Polynesian Maori reached New Zealand in about A.D. 800. In 1840, their chieftains entered into a compact with Britain, the Treaty of Waitangi, in which they ceded sovereignty to Queen Victoria while retaining territorial rights. In that same year...more history

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