Blogs from Oceania - page 6510

The drive from the northland of NZ toward the center of the North island winds through the most incredible twists of roads that we have ever experienced. It took nerves of steel and the occasional white knuckle grip to make our way in our trusty Corolla down the narrow Highway 12 toward the Waipoura Forest. Everyone in the country knows about the Waipoura Forest because it is home to THE giant kauri tree, the largest one in existence. Named Tane Mehuta,King of the Forest( it holds an almost mystical significance to the people. The tree stands only a few hundred meters from the roadside and we made our way through the lush rainforest, glad to be out of the moving vehicle (can you feel sea sick in a car?). We had seen big trees before, so ... read more

Thursday 18th Mrs Dickson has kindly let us use the Family Bach (Holiday Cottage) situated right on the lake in Rotoriti the smaller one of the lakes at Rotorua. After a short motorway journey we were soon in some of the most stunning countryside. We travelled for several hours with Juan Singing and me just taking in the surroundings. The plants that grow here are just enormous. Its something to do with the climate and the very fertile soil, anyway it makes you feel quite small sometimes when you are standing next to a plant that is 9 ft tall and at home it would be 18 inches tall. We stoped at a traditional town at the Copper Kettle Café in Ngatea where I was treated to my first taste of L&P and a Pie. I ... read more

We booked a bus up to Port Douglas to drop us of at midday on Thursday and pick us up at 5pm the next day. We were staying at a youth hostel called the 'Parrotfish' which was in between the main street and the beach. i went there with the family so knew my way round a bit (although we couldn't find the beach for about half an hour at first- even worse considering it is called 4 mile beach!). We couldn't check into out room when we got there so we went straight down to the beach. It is 4 miles long as the name suggests but you can only swim in the netted 50 metre square area. We spent the day down there and even jogged down 4 mile beach (not all the way)... ... read more

So today’s the day…all the last minute details have been dealt with and now it’s just waiting for the time to come where we hop into the car and take off for the airport. Mixed feelings of excitement, nervousness and a little sadness to leave some people behind, are all running through me- although, I have a feeling once I land and am situated over in New Zealand is going to be the time that it really hits me…that I’m really going to be gone for 10-11 months….and then I’ll be on the opposite side of the world…ha! Since I graduated college in May 2005 it’s been my plan and dream to do a trip like this…and a year later…it’s finally happening. I’m trying to go into this experience with no expectations and just take what ... read more

Hello all! Thanks for the comments...I wasn't actually expecting people to read this stuff! Anyway, what did today bring?! Well...I went to Rottnest Island with my auntie. That place literally is PARADISE! It's basically a deserted island....with no cars...people just cycle. it has only 150 residents...who all work there. working there consists of being in one of the two hotels, the one shop, the gift shop or the visitors centre...cuz that's pretty much all there is there apart from sun, white fine sands and the most gorgeous blue seas! Oh and the other locals are cute little fluffy quokkas! They live under some bushes! Adorable! There were also peacocks roaming around...scary stuff! I cannot stress how little there is to do on the island though! it takes 45 mins on the bus to tour the whole ... read more