"I'm sorry.... all the bars and restaurants in the city centre are closed". How silly do you think I felt, completely forgetting that Christchurch endured a massive earthquake not more than 18 months ago. The city is still well and truly in restoration and repair mode with streets still being blocked off or reduced to one way, and entire city blocks behind fences as buildings that are propped up with scaffolding are either being repaired of waiting to be demolished. It was crushing to see some beautiful old churches with entire sides hanging out from the main structure as well as the sense of defeat that was almost palpable in the air at the loss of some of the city's best landmarks. Drinks forgotten, I spent the night thinking 2 things.... that people are resilient and ... read more

I hear so many people use this phrase as an excuse.... If only I could afford it.... If only it was available.... If only they hadn't.... If only it wasn't cold, wet, and miserable outside. One of my biggest things is to always push the boundaries of the if only's. I woke at the DOC campsite in the clouds.... literally. Alone, with only the sound of the river below for company, there was a stillness to the air.... a heaviness that was part serenity, part beauty, and all water vapour. It was accompanied by the calmness that is only present when you haven't seen another human being for more than 12 hours. But as much as that was brilliant..... I had wineries to visit!!! Climbing back down out of the mountains, the clouds continued to follow ... read more

Arriving so late into the campsite meant that I had a full day ahead of me in Rotorua.... and with the attraction of thrills and spills as well as the thermal activity that the area is famous for, I was going to make the most of it. First stop.... Te Puia, a thermal geyser and volcanic park with a bit of Maori culture thrown in. The nice lady behind the ticket window did the usual inquiries as to what package to see and where I was from.... then asked me if I was staying at a hotel in the area. When I mentioned I wasn't, she promptly told me to tell all the other places that I was going to visit that I was staying in a local hotel and some may give me a discount. ... read more

Literally!! Today, it seems, that New Zealand was trying to blow me back to Australia.... and what better place to be for it then at the northern most tip, Cape Reinga. Think exposed, cliff faces, two seas colliding, white frothy peaks formed just out from rocky headlands, a lighthouse built in the 1800's, and me. The cape has significant traditional heritage and is based around the spirits of the local people wanting to rejoin their lost ancestors from when they came to this island. It is also a scientific research area and a sanctuary for a number of fauna. The bird life abounds throughout New Zealand I have noticed, but here on the cape it seems even more so. The long trip back down the cape was punctuated by a few stops for "forced" photo opportunities ... read more

And A Reason To Come Back Damn.... Slept in after the late night partying and carousing down in the Viaduct Harbor. I must be getting too old for all this frivolity. On second thoughts.... maybe I just haven't had enough training.... Yep, stick with that one I think. Off and at 'em again with a visit to the Auckland Sky Tower. I'd booked ahead and was going to do the Sky Walk and Sky Jump double, but on arrival I was told that due to the weather conditions I was unable to do the jump (insert single tear rolling down my cheek). The Sky Walk was a go though so I donned the sexy orange overalls, the manhood crushing full body harness and jumped in the elevator to climb 200m into the air. The elevator has ... read more