Monday 7th June - Tahiti, the Cook Islands and the international date line
The shortest day of my life.
The shortest day of my life.
Tuesday, 8th June 2004 20:43
Tuesday 8th June - Auckland
Not a good start to our time in New Zealand, but, on the bright side, things can only improve from here!
Not a good start to our time in New Zealand, but, on the bright side, things can only improve from here!
Tuesday, 8th June 2004 20:44
It's Just a Jump to the Left...
It would be a shame to gloss over the shortest day of my life. And for the fun of it, I've added the following day on too.
It would be a shame to gloss over the shortest day of my life. And for the fun of it, I've added the following day on too.
Tuesday, 8th June 2004 20:48
Wednesday 9th June - Auckland
A lot of walking, shopping and exploring. Auckland is very pretty, full of parks and nice shops.
A lot of walking, shopping and exploring. Auckland is very pretty, full of parks and nice shops.
Tuesday, 15th June 2004 21:16
Thursday 10th June - Auckland
Harry Potter in the afternoon, Elephant in the evening, more shopping in between.
Harry Potter in the afternoon, Elephant in the evening, more shopping in between.
Tuesday, 15th June 2004 21:18
Friday 11th June - Auckland
Another day of wandering and mooching, followed by a quick trip to a museum before it closed.
Another day of wandering and mooching, followed by a quick trip to a museum before it closed.
Tuesday, 15th June 2004 21:18
Saturday 12th June - Auckland and Whangarei
The car turned up in the morning so we headed out of town and up to the North for a few days.
The car turned up in the morning so we headed out of town and up to the North for a few days.
Tuesday, 15th June 2004 21:19
Sunday 13th June - Whangarei to Kahoe
A lot more driving, more stops, rain and more lovely scenery.
A lot more driving, more stops, rain and more lovely scenery.
Tuesday, 15th June 2004 21:22
The City of Sails
Or as it is more commonly known, Auckland. The weirdness of time travel is behind us and now we can enjoy ourselves.
Or as it is more commonly known, Auckland. The weirdness of time travel is behind us and now we can enjoy ourselves.
Friday, 18th June 2004 22:40
Northland
This is the bit above Auckland. I thought it didn't look too big on a map. It's actually kind of huge.
This is the bit above Auckland. I thought it didn't look too big on a map. It's actually kind of huge.
Friday, 18th June 2004 22:46
Monday 14th June - Kahoe to Opononi
Right up to the pointy northernmost bit, then down the left-hand side a bit.
Right up to the pointy northernmost bit, then down the left-hand side a bit.
Friday, 18th June 2004 22:51
Tuesday 15th June - Opononi to Auckland
Giant trees, back to Auckland, another film.
Giant trees, back to Auckland, another film.
Friday, 18th June 2004 22:52
Wednesday 16th June - Auckland to Hamilton
The Sky Tower for a great panoramic view of Auckland, a drive up a volcano for another, slightly different panoramic view of Auckland, and then on to Hamilton to stay in a hostel with weird occupants.
The Sky Tower for a great panoramic view of Auckland, a drive up a volcano for another, slightly different panoramic view of Auckland, and then on to Hamilton to stay in a hostel with weird occupants.
Friday, 18th June 2004 22:54
Hamilton
Another of the North Island's bigger cities. We didn't stay too long as Middle Earth beckoned.
Another of the North Island's bigger cities. We didn't stay too long as Middle Earth beckoned.
Friday, 18th June 2004 22:56
Thursday 17th June - Hamilton to Rotorua
We headed straight for Matamata today, for a really nice trip round Hobbiton, and then on to Rotorua, which smells of sulphur. It rained.
We headed straight for Matamata today, for a really nice trip round Hobbiton, and then on to Rotorua, which smells of sulphur. It rained.
Friday, 18th June 2004 22:58
The Shire
"Baggins." (Said in the scary, rasping voice of the Nazgul.) And where would one find a Baggins? Why in Hobbiton of course!
"Baggins." (Said in the scary, rasping voice of the Nazgul.) And where would one find a Baggins? Why in Hobbiton of course!
Friday, 18th June 2004 22:59
Friday 18th June - Rotorua
Saw some kiwis today, saw a nature park, it rained, heavily, all day.
Saw some kiwis today, saw a nature park, it rained, heavily, all day.
Friday, 18th June 2004 23:01
Saturday 19th June - Rotorua
We saw lions today, and boiling mud pools, and swam in a thermally-heated swimming pool. A very busy day.
We saw lions today, and boiling mud pools, and swam in a thermally-heated swimming pool. A very busy day.
Friday, 25th June 2004 07:58
Rotorua
This place stinks! No, really, it does. There are lots of thermal springs around and they give off a nice sulphurous smell. Still, there's lots to do here.
This place stinks! No, really, it does. There are lots of thermal springs around and they give off a nice sulphurous smell. Still, there's lots to do here.
Friday, 25th June 2004 08:05
Sunday 20th June - Rotorua to Taupo
We've suddenly realised how quickly time's passing, so we have to get a move on. We drove from one side of the country to the other, then down to the middle of New Zealand, on the shores of the biggest lake.
We've suddenly realised how quickly time's passing, so we have to get a move on. We drove from one side of the country to the other, then down to the middle of New Zealand, on the shores of the biggest lake.
Friday, 25th June 2004 08:07
Monday 21st June - Taupo to Taurangi
The shortest day of the year! A quick stop at Napier, a very pretty, Art Deco coastal town, and then on to Taurangi. It rained for most of the day.
The shortest day of the year! A quick stop at Napier, a very pretty, Art Deco coastal town, and then on to Taurangi. It rained for most of the day.
Friday, 25th June 2004 08:08
Tuesday 22nd June - Taurangi to Whakapapa
A perfect day. Really lovely. Climbing walls, blizzards, excellent wine, great food, port in front of the fire. And a Christmas tree.
A perfect day. Really lovely. Climbing walls, blizzards, excellent wine, great food, port in front of the fire. And a Christmas tree.
Friday, 25th June 2004 08:10
Wednesday 23rd June - Whakapapa
We played in the snow almost all day, then just relaxed in the hotel for the evening.
We played in the snow almost all day, then just relaxed in the hotel for the evening.
Friday, 25th June 2004 08:10
Odd one out!
Let's play spot the odd one out from the following list: christmas tree; port; snow and June.
Let's play spot the odd one out from the following list: christmas tree; port; snow and June.
Friday, 25th June 2004 08:12
Thursday 24th June - Whakapapa to Wellington
A lot of driving. We saw waterfalls and gorges and fantastic knobbly hills.
A lot of driving. We saw waterfalls and gorges and fantastic knobbly hills.
Friday, 25th June 2004 08:15
Friday 25th June - Wellington
Wandering round Lord of the Rings locations for a while, a bit of shopping and a film to finish up.
Wandering round Lord of the Rings locations for a while, a bit of shopping and a film to finish up.
Monday, 28th June 2004 08:30
Saturday 26th June - Wellington
Because it rained almost all day, we spent it at Te Papa, Wellington's famous museum. It was great fun, and we finished with another trip to the cinema when it got dark.
Because it rained almost all day, we spent it at Te Papa, Wellington's famous museum. It was great fun, and we finished with another trip to the cinema when it got dark.
Monday, 28th June 2004 08:33
Sunday 27th June - Wellington to Picton
A bit of sightseeing and wandering today, lunch at a funky cafe and a ferry to the South Island.
A bit of sightseeing and wandering today, lunch at a funky cafe and a ferry to the South Island.
Monday, 28th June 2004 08:36
Wellington
Our journey through the north island is almost over. We still have a few days left in Wellington though.
Our journey through the north island is almost over. We still have a few days left in Wellington though.
Monday, 28th June 2004 08:37
Monday 28th June - Picton to Nelson
A day spent mostly in the car, but plenty of stops and fantastic scenery.
A day spent mostly in the car, but plenty of stops and fantastic scenery.
Monday, 28th June 2004 08:42
Cloudy Bay
It has been said that the north island is beautiful but the south island is simply stunning. Whoever said it was right.
It has been said that the north island is beautiful but the south island is simply stunning. Whoever said it was right.
Sunday, 11th July 2004 07:22
Tuesday 29th June - Nelson to Westport
A trip up to the Abel Tasman National Park, a long walk on the beach, and more driving down to Westport.
A trip up to the Abel Tasman National Park, a long walk on the beach, and more driving down to Westport.
Sunday, 11th July 2004 07:23
Wednesday 30th June - Westport to Franz Josef
Unable to try blackwater rafting for the second time, we drove all the way down to a tiny mountain town called Franz Josef and saw some glow worms.
Unable to try blackwater rafting for the second time, we drove all the way down to a tiny mountain town called Franz Josef and saw some glow worms.
Sunday, 11th July 2004 07:26
Welcome to Collingwood
A jolly jaunt around the northwest corner of the south island.
A jolly jaunt around the northwest corner of the south island.
Sunday, 11th July 2004 07:27
Thursday 1st July - Franz Josef
A fantastic walk over the glacier, lots of ice, axes and really cool spikey shoes.
A fantastic walk over the glacier, lots of ice, axes and really cool spikey shoes.
Sunday, 11th July 2004 07:28
Friday 2nd July - Franz Josef - Arrowtown
We weren't able to stay in Queenstown like we had hoped, so we chose Arrowtown, about ten miles north, instead. It wasa good choice.
We weren't able to stay in Queenstown like we had hoped, so we chose Arrowtown, about ten miles north, instead. It wasa good choice.
Sunday, 11th July 2004 07:29
Fox's Glacier Mint?
Who remembers these? Do they still make them? Were they named after the Fox Glacier? Answers on a postcard...
Who remembers these? Do they still make them? Were they named after the Fox Glacier? Answers on a postcard...
Sunday, 11th July 2004 07:30
Saturday 3rd July - Arrowtown
Chinese gold-mining villages, fleece-buying, a cable car and a great round of mini-golf, followed by a fantastic meal. What more could you want?!
Chinese gold-mining villages, fleece-buying, a cable car and a great round of mini-golf, followed by a fantastic meal. What more could you want?!
Sunday, 11th July 2004 07:32
Sunday 4th July - Arrowtown to Milford Sound
More long driving, with an added 80-mile detour for some snow chains. But it was pretty, when it was light. And we killed a possum...
More long driving, with an added 80-mile detour for some snow chains. But it was pretty, when it was light. And we killed a possum...
Sunday, 11th July 2004 07:33
Arrowtown
It doesn't sound like much and it isn't very big on the roadmap but it's a great little town. Go there.
It doesn't sound like much and it isn't very big on the roadmap but it's a great little town. Go there.
Sunday, 11th July 2004 07:34
Monday 5th July - Milford Sound
We had a fantastic cruise through the fjords today, and the dolphins came to play with us. It rained. All day. And it's cold!
We had a fantastic cruise through the fjords today, and the dolphins came to play with us. It rained. All day. And it's cold!
Sunday, 11th July 2004 07:35
Tuesday 6th July - Milford Sound
Nope, road not open today. Torretial rain and hail, gale-force winds. Sat and read. Bored now.
Nope, road not open today. Torretial rain and hail, gale-force winds. Sat and read. Bored now.
Sunday, 11th July 2004 07:36
Wednesday 7th July - Milford Sound
It turns out that Milford Sound is actually quite a spectacular place when you can see it!
It turns out that Milford Sound is actually quite a spectacular place when you can see it!
Sunday, 11th July 2004 07:37
Thursday 8th July - Milford Sound
The road might be open tomorrow! Had a great walk, another pizza, and finished another book.
The road might be open tomorrow! Had a great walk, another pizza, and finished another book.
Sunday, 11th July 2004 07:39
Friday 9th July - Escape from Milford Sound!!! Milford Sound to Te Anau
Yep, we did it. Several hours later than expected, we arrived in Te Anau and stayed in a log cabin on a deer farm for the night.
Yep, we did it. Several hours later than expected, we arrived in Te Anau and stayed in a log cabin on a deer farm for the night.
Tuesday, 13th July 2004 04:36
Milford Sound
Another well photographed area of New Zealand. Shame about the weather!
Another well photographed area of New Zealand. Shame about the weather!
Tuesday, 13th July 2004 04:38
Saturday 10th July - Te Anau to Dunedin
We were supposed to be going to Sydney today, but instead we went to Dunedin and saw a castle and some sea lions and some very rare penguins.
We were supposed to be going to Sydney today, but instead we went to Dunedin and saw a castle and some sea lions and some very rare penguins.
Tuesday, 13th July 2004 04:40
Sunday 11th July - Dunedin
Went to Cadbury World today, then saw a whole bunch of baby albatrosses. And, in a mini unplanned adventure, we watched some tiny blue penguins make their way up the bach, right past our noses. Really wonderful.
Went to Cadbury World today, then saw a whole bunch of baby albatrosses. And, in a mini unplanned adventure, we watched some tiny blue penguins make their way up the bach, right past our noses. Really wonderful.
Tuesday, 13th July 2004 04:41
Dunedin
I wasn't sure what to expect of Dunedin. It turned out to be pleasant enough.
I wasn't sure what to expect of Dunedin. It turned out to be pleasant enough.
Tuesday, 13th July 2004 04:42
Monday 12th July - Dunedin to Christchurch
A slightly weird day of rides in post vans, alien eggs and successful shopping.
A slightly weird day of rides in post vans, alien eggs and successful shopping.
Tuesday, 13th July 2004 04:43
Christchurch
The final stop on our tour of New Zealand and we don't have very long here either.
The final stop on our tour of New Zealand and we don't have very long here either.
Saturday, 17th July 2004 07:27
Tuesday 13th July
Spent a fortune in the post office, then went to a sports bar. Our last day in New Zealand!
Spent a fortune in the post office, then went to a sports bar. Our last day in New Zealand!
Wednesday, 21st July 2004 07:41
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