Wednesday 22nd September
Next day, walked around Wellington, really nice city, lots of cafes and bars, reminds me of my time in Melbourne. All the houses/apartments built on the hillside surrounding the harbour below reminded me of Nice. Cuba st has some cool cafes, grabbed lunch here and hit some vintage shops. Walked down as far as Parliament house (Beehive) and back to Te Papa musuem via Molly Malones for a quick handle! Musuem is free and very informative of coutries history and Maori culture. They even have a colossal squid preserved in a tank they foiund in the Antartic, reminds me of alien in Independence Day!
Took it easy that night and got food special in hostel for Wednesday, 10 dollars for large pizza, nice!
Thursday 23rd September
Took the long drive to New plymouth in the morning. Stayed in YHA Eco Retreat 36 dollars for the night. Lady there made us chocolate cake too yum! There is a scenic coastal walkway here to do.
Friday 24th September - Sunday 26th September
Another long drive to Lake Taupo. Stopped off in North Elmont village on the way and drove to the info office to go for a walk but the weather was way too bad for that! So got back in and headed to Lake Taupo, driving on the highway hugging the west coastline and then east across green lush countryside. Stayed in YHA here, 32 dollars a night pretty sweet for sleeping in the van. Was going to book Tangariro crossing but was cancelled the next few days due to weather, its crazy at the moment! Didnt do too much here, just chilled out and watched the footie on tv, poor tigers!
Took a walk around the lake and booked bungy for Monday morning, 95 dollars with voucher, sweet!
Monday 27th September - Tuesday 28th September
Drove out the Spa road to do Taupo bungy, 46m over blank river, was meant to get dunked but they measured it wrong, pity! Mirka looked a bit nervous but she still said nothing jumpinig and striked her gymnastic pose, fair play! Really liked that bungy, you can jump off whatever way you want.
Had coffee in Replete cafe, good coffee. (Tasting coffee in every township we stop in NZ, to find the best!) Left Taupo and headed to Rotorua. Stopped off in WaioTapu Thermal Wonderland to view champage pool and thermal hot springs. Admission was 30 dollars each. Arrived in Rotorua and stayed in YHA Kiwi Paka hostel, 21 dollars for unpowered site for the night, sweet place. Has bar, cafe, hot spa and showers. Booked Maori night in Mitai Village, 79 dollars each, cheaper to book it here than in town. Maori night was really enjoyable and educational, food was great too and lots of it. Weather was hot and sunny when we were here.
Wednesday 29th September
Grabbed a coffee in cafe Lime befored heading off, really good coffee. Stopped in Hamilton for lunch, ate in Furnace on Victoria st, best 12 dollar lunch ive ever seen and it was really good. Decided to stay in Raglan for the night, quiet village, famous for surfing in the summer time.
Thursday 30th September - 4th October
Next morning headed to Auckland, last stop on this amazing journey. Decided to stay in City Lodge after ringing a few accomodation places, 92 dollars a night for double ensuite with tv/fridge, communal kitchen downstairs. Complex is located near K' road, entertainment area and short walk to city centre. Took it easy the first night and chilled out in the room.
Bizarre thing i discoverd in Auckland city, only two supermarkets. So is it that Aucklanders eat out almost every night!? Grabbed late lunch in Japanese restuarant on Queen street called Ku Bick , really good.
Next morning grabbed a coffee in Kevins arcade off K' road in Alleluya, really good coffee. Strolled down town and got the lift up to Sky tower, seen people do Sky jump and Sky walk, seeing people do the walk and arching out of it made me nervous just looking at them, may have to do that! Did some vintage shopping and in the evening time grabbed bus out to Eden park to watch Auckland play Hawkes bay in rugby.
Saturday morning grabbed a coffee on K'road and walked as far as Ponsoby, reminds me of Paddington, really nice shops and cafes, seems a nice area to live. Took it easy that night and got take out.
Sunday morning got the ferry across to Devonport. Weather is nice and sunny at the moment, view over there at the top of Victoria park is amazing. Walked back around Princes Wharf to Viaduct, people love their Sunday drinking here, really good beer specials. Sat myself down in O'Higgins bar and watched the NRL final.
Monday grabbed a coffee in Kevins arcade again and did some window shopping in the city. Grabbed lunch with Ger and Lucy in Ku Bick, really good food again. Next day checked out of our room as had a late flight that night from Auckland home. Shuttle bus cost 39 dollars for the both of us. Strolled around the city that day and treated Mirka to a massage in westfield downtown, some cool shops down here, especially Amazon.
Overall
Beautiful country New Zealand, so much to see and do. Favourite beer is Monteiths golden lager. Japanese food i loved here too.
