So after a successful day yesterday we are up early to make our way slowly to the Bay of Islands, final destination Russell. We decided to check out the Karikari peninsula and my guide tells me that Maitia Bay is the best destination. It is reached after a short stretch along a gravel road and through a camp site. I must be honest that my husband was not blown away by this cove but I thought it was all picturesque and we went for a short walk along it. Not as dramatic and grand and sweeping as some of the others we have seen may account for the first impression. We had a conversation as we walked actually of how we would rate NZ beaches from the best we have seen so far and had to ... read more

Planning Finally a proper trip for a whole four days! As I say I have been working and as with casual work it's usally on the weekends but there it was a whole weekend off, well I had to cancel one shift to make it a long weekend. Of course the planning then had to be quick and that to be honest usually stresses me out. I had recently officially bought a car to get me to and from work so travel itself was not the problem. We decided to do two nights, Thursday and Friday, in a place which gave us access to Cape Reinga and then one night in the Bay of Islands. Our Lonely planet guide recommended a hostel in Ahipara, reviews on line looked good and they had a double room available ... read more

So seriously come all the way to New Zealand at first opportunity head to the beach! I mean it is the stuff you see on TV right. How many programmes have I watched of families from the UK wanting to come to NZ and seeing them on these beautiful beaches never imagining I could one day be there...well here I am! We wake up relatively early and pack our version of a picnic and off we go.... Our first stop is the Arataki Visitor Centre for a quick introduction to the park, starting with a man made huge wooden photo-frame with an amazing view in the background, well that is the best way I can describe it anyway. It was interesting to get a bit of history of the area and there were some small walks ... read more

Does everyone wonder when writing these blogs if everyone is reading them? I somehow feel that I need to justify this particular entry as I kind of worry that maybe it is not the activity that people will often talk about doing. I do wonder what the expectations are. I mean who cares about a lowly city walk, especially when the guide explains that the city can appear grim and generic. Yet for me anything new is interesting and you should try to find out the similarities and differences, after all I am technically living here. Anyway I am in a way being totally selfish and doing this for me so that I can read back and remember what I have done and all my experiences even the little ones and yeah if they ain't interested ... read more

Well our first small jaunt which got us out of Parnell and the City took us to Waiheke Island, a comfortable 35 minute ferry ride from downtown Auckland. My husband works with a professor who lives on the Island and he invited us for the day. We went late afternoon and did not know really what the plan for the afternoon was, unfortunately I did not take my camera as we were given a small but lovely tour of the island. We first went to the small community art gallery, small but pleasurable as it was exhibits from local artists and probably something we would not have done had we gone there just ourselves. The main aim for those visiting Waiheke appear to be * Beach * Wine * Restaurants Which of course is fair enough ... read more