New Zealand - closer to outer space than home!!

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Standard of hostels in New Zealand surpassed that of the USA (booked into Auckland Central Backpackers - 600 beds!!!). After a refreshing afternoon nap (travelling really is hard work), went out for a late lunch in downtown Auckland. This was followed by the best freebie of the trip so far! I can fully recommend Toni and Guy for a free haircut (ok just the fringe) without an appointment (as well as a few free hair products). Maybe I looked like I needed it! Sara on the other hand paid for hers (dont worry Jane - it was just a trim!!). By chance the first of the British and Irish Lions games was played that night and we just about stayed awake to watch it in the local hostel bar.

The following day we met up with Sara's friend, Tasha and her boyfriend Steve for lunch in Devonport. They also introduced us to the delights of Hokey Pokey (New Zealands most popular ice cream flavour). Drove to the top of Mount Victoria for a wonderful view over the water to Auckland.

It was an early start the following day to catch a bus to the Waitomo Caves. Our driver (Bruce) provided a running commentary of the countryside we were passing through before stopping for a cup of tea at a the site of a British and Moari battle - Stagecoach buses have a lot to live up to when we get home!

We had received recommendations (thanks to Ally and Gill and Simon and Penny) about holiday parks in NZ. Booked in for a couple of nights in a chalet in Waitomo (where is Peggy when you need her!!). Explored the Glowworm Caves on foot and by boat. We were both amazed by the light that came from the worms bottoms (!). The only way to describe it was that it looked like thousands of fairy lights.

In desperate need of some exercise and some fresh air we did our first "tramp' of the trip!! Had a stunning 3 hour through the stunning NZ countryside on a beautiful winters day. We ended up exploring woodland, caves, waterfalls, natural limestone bridges and tunnels before returning "home".

Later that night we spent the evening chatting to an English couple, Laura and Danny, who had timed their trip ( as well as many others in the Barmy Army) with the Lions games. We arranged to meet them the following the night in New Plymouth (the site of the next Lions game and by coincidence on our route south).

The bus journey down the the west coast was unexpectedly beautiful (and very windy). The holiday park that we stayed in was a little out of town and somehow we managed to blag sharing a taxi into town!! Whilst our new friends went to the match we stayed in the pub (the budget dictated a choice of a match ticket or beer!!). Crossed paths again with the barmy army in a beer tent celebrating before the match kicked off. As Scotland has so few players in the squad we have decided to distance ourselves from their shenanigans!!!! This may have something to do with my solo support for the Lions in the pub?

As we had decided to get to the South Island as soon as possibe due to the infamous NZ winters (Ally) we spent a night in Wellington in order to catch the morning ferry to Picton across the Marlborough Sounds.

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Photos

Camping without the tent
Very handily NZ provides sheds to stay in on their campsites - not the warmest we have ever been but comfy nonetheless.

Comments

[Peggy]

Thought I had been sacked as a chamber maid and had been promoted to ' lady in waiting'. ? Px