2 blogs for the price of one today - cos took lots of photos! Had breakfast in Taupo this morning before heading off on a trek to the Huka Falls,stopping at Honey Hive (to learn all about the healing properties of (Manuka) honey. The trek was fairly arduous but worth as the river/falls were spectacular. Then we headed for The Craters of the Moon walk,named for its other-worldly atmosphere because it's an area of geothermal activity: complete with bubbling crates,mud pools,steam vents and so. After that it was back for a relax in the hot tub(yes,another one) before heading off for our Maori experience. More to come... read more

Every bit as wet today as it was sunny yesterday - thought we were back in Scotland. Set off from Paihia to the Kauri Coast to visit Waipoua Forest and stopped off to seet Tane Mahuta,the largest surviving Kauri tree,followed by a visit to the 4 Sisters and Te Matua Ngahere,a ree estimated to be 2000+ years old,with a girth of 13.8 metres (slightly larger than Rae's) -the photo doesn't do it justice! We got absolutely soaked - it was a true RAIN forest! Stopped off in Dargaville for (almost) the worst cup of coffee I've had in my life. Then proceeded to Whangamata,arriving a lot later than planned due to (my) underestimating the drive and a traffic jam on the "One". We have a hot tub on the balcony - pity it's still throwing it ... read more

Left Auckland in the rain today......eventually - the sat-nag wasn't working very well! Weather improved as we went north and we stopped for lunch at Whangarei Falls - very impressive,especially as it was warm and sunny! Travelled up to Pahia and booked into the Pacific Resort,to be wlcomed by a young Sottish receptionist. Managed an hour or so by the pool before Rae did the laundry!! Ate in the Swordfish Club with a great view over the Bay of Islands.... read more

Hi,all. Back online from Auckland for 2nd blog today............feeling better despite having almost fallen asleep in my dinner!!! Neither of us slept much on the plane overnight but we did manage to watch a few movies between us e.g. Sarah's Key,The Guard,River Queen (about NZ colonisation and fights with the Maori),Cowboys and Aliens. On arrival at Auckland,having foolishly declared that we'd brought them,we had to have our walking boots inspected.............and "sheep-dipped" for being a bio-hazard. But we took it all in our stride (so to speak!). Picked the hire car up and got to our hotel without too many u-turns! Nice place,The Langham. Took shuttle bus into the city centre and walked around the harbour and up to the Sky Tower before heading back for dinner (see above!). Think we'll have an easy day tomorow.... read more

Yesterday's blog disappeared into the ether - blogging seems a lot like golf: once you think that you've mastered it,it comes back and bites you in the ass! So,recapping................didn't have a great night's sleep after the bells but didn't get up early to go to the gym! Went to church instead,St. Anthony's,up a very steep hill and boasting a very good choir (not quite as good as Military Wives,though). Decided to go to Lantau Island to see the big Buddha (and it is BIG). So we took a tram and then the underground to Tung Chung on Lantau. I had to buy a hat to protect my sensitive forehead and nose - it was shorts weather (and I forgotten to pack a hat)! We bought passes for the cable car from a "ticket tout" which saved ... read more