Blogs from New Zealand, Oceania - page 2376

Ok, i guess there are certain things that you plan to do before you go travelling, some you end up doing and some you don't. I really wanted to do the Bungy jump, but always doubted whether i actually would. This past Saturday we myself Elaine, Emily and a Californian guy called Carl who we met in Wanaka all booked to do the skydive. Unfortunately it was cancelled due to high winds so we could not do it (we still plan to do it if and when it is possible incidently), after this we headed down towards Queenstown (the worlds adventure capital) in order to stay, but on the way we passed the most famous Bungy Jumping site in the world the 50 metre high Kawerau Bridge and went to check it out. I looked at ... read more

In Queenstown. Just culled my photos via hookup onto this computer. Have actually snapped some 300. Have significantly reduced this sum. Have decided this will be a photo essay. More than my words. If I can resist... But what I will say, mmm, too much temptation to say too much.... Queenstown overwhelmed me on arrival - it is very tourist orientated - a shame. The view from my hostel, yes, I got the last double bed room available... is fantastic, notwithstanding the ugly plethora of apartments/ motels on the hillside overlooking the lake and mountains to our left... anyway, Deco's Backpackers - me - is up on high, quiet, a peaceful view, reflective moments beckon with the outlook. The scenery today and yesterday was magnificent, awesome, stark, lush, varied, even a bit frightening (the mountain ranges ... read more

After my first night in Auckland I decide I need to move to a different hostel. I found a place called the Fat Camel, which is alot better, it cost $19 and you get a first meal (It's hardly a meal, but it's better then the kick in the junk I received at the other place). I meet an english guy (Toby) and an irish guy (Eoiny) at the hostel, last night we got smashed and the irish guy missed his bus the next morning. Must people a talk to aren't staying in Auckland, it seem like the starting or finishing point of peoples travels. The general comment about Auckland is that there is not much going on. Tody and I are going to go to Waiheke island on Sunday for a couple of days, Waiheke ... read more

Got coach up here on sun 8th before staring 'work' the next day. Was a pretty cool and scenic trip - not even the Megabus has a commentary from a shorts and long sock wearing driver called Derek and makes a stop at the 'Swinging Cow Cafe'! Whangarei is the biggest town around but still pretty small. So far we have visited a couple of bars (inc Frings Brewhouse) and cafes. Also found the $2 store which beats the 99p store in Camden both on price (15p cheaper!) and the lack of people having punchups inside. Everyone in the hospital seems friendly and knows each other, have managed to do some work inc a resus.... The accomodation is 'characterful' but only a 3 min walk from work and the hospital swimming pool - more updates on ... read more

As well as art deco architecture another thing that Napier is famous for is wine. Napier is in Hawkes Bay, a famous wine growing region. Not wanting to let all this wine pass us by we decided to have a day touring the wineries! Luckily for me Tim decided to drive (we decided against going on one of the tours as they seemed expensive when all you got was the transport. We thought this way we could save the money and buy lots of wine!) There are lots of wineries to choose from so for no good reason we decided to start at Mission Estate Winery which is the oldest winery in New Zealand. We got a free tour which told us the history of the winery. It was set up by a group of French ... read more