Hello everyone

Sorry for the delay on updating the blog but lately it seems like every time I get on the internet, I spend about four hours at a time on facebook! (Sorry anyone who is awaiting a reply for an e-mail!) But here we go, seven months in and Alan has let me do my second blog!!!

For this blog because it has been so long since we have kept updated with everything; Alan and I had to do a bit of a brain storm to remember everything! I have realised why I loved them so much at school!!!!

We have both been working really hard, trying to get as many hours as possible, but that doesn't mean we have not had time to stop, take it all in and most of all have some fun!

Since our last blog we have been back up to Auckland watching yet more rugby, (I don't think I've watched so much in my life, that includes the whole time Alan and I were at uni and Alan played every Wednesday, maybe I should have left the pub a few more times) Alan has certainly been getting into the rugby over here, he has been supporting one of the rugby league teams called the Warriors. All the fans and players decided not to shave until the Warriors lost a game. So in suit Alan did this too, until the general manager at work had a few words and Alan had to shave the beard away. (I really did try to hide my joy, after what felt like kissing a bog brush for a couple of days, and yes I often kiss bog brushes!) The game we watched was the tri nations, The All Blacks V Australia!! It was a brilliant game and really enjoyed watching it!! It was also nice not to be biased and enjoy the banter in the ground! After the game we managed to fit in a few drinks, it would be rude not too! We also hit the casino with Alan's new love of Blackjack!! One good point, the bar is open till 5am!!!!!!

The second game we went to see Alan's boss Jemmel and his wife Debra came with us for a fantastic weekend. Both of them work at the hotel and they are lovely people, it was great to spend the weekend with them and have some fun too! They both used to live and work in Auckland and were kind enough to show us round different sites throughout the city. We drove along the sites and harbours that surround Auckland. The first day there we made it around the east coast of the city around Mission Bay, a lovely area of the city and a place we wouldn't have ever got to if it wasn't for Jemmel and Debra.

The rugby was Auckland v Wellington and was a brilliant game and our seats were even better than last time as we were in the corporate suite. After the game it was time to hit the casino again and have a few more beers! After resting our heads in the very luxurious hotel, Rydges, which Jemmel sorted out a great deal (14 floor looking out over the harbour bridge and the city for the same price as a backpackers hostel!!!), we were back on the road visiting more sites, such as Piha beach were Alan decided to walk up a large mountain with Jemmel while Deb and I took the relaxing option deciding to chill on the beach. Piha was fantastic. The sand is black and it's a wonderful stretch of beach. It was great to experience. Check out all the photos from this weekend it was lovely to get away.

One further point on the Rugby front. Alan has been to even more games recently with Jemmel. He goes to watch the Bay Of Plenty play quite regularly but they are out now of the competition they play in. He really enjoys it and has taken some photos of the last game which they lost. When he got home I asked how they got on and he just mumbled 'they came 2nd!'.

To make the most of our surroundings we have been out visiting the beautiful lakes that fill up most of the landscape! What is wonderful in New Zealand that there are so many legends behind the landscapes and the views of them. On one the lakes an old chief saw in the mist a Maori war canoe (waka) which is seen as a bad omen, shortly later a volcano erupted and covered most of Rotorua early in the 1900's. To follow on from this we also took a day out to the buried village, which was covered in volcanic ash after the eruption, taking out homes and the famous pink and white terraces. Before going up there when people talked about the pink and white terraces I thought they were talking about pretty little houses. But true to what Rotorua is famous for they were hot pools!

The lovely owners of the motel we our staying in managed to take us on different days out like the buried village and Tamaki tours. This tour started with cookies and alcohol mud shakes, always a good way to start. This whole day was arranged for local hoteliers in order for them to sell the tamaki tour product, Alan and I went along as fake hoteliers, but really we were there for wine and food! We were driven up to a traditional Maori village where we watched and learnt about day to day living of the Maori people, that was before the British came along with their Muskets and alcohol! (The bad people the British are, but they still do celebrate our Queens birthday and for that Kiwis have a day off work, so they properly appreciate the British influence that day!) We were taken in for some traditional Maori food (Hangi) which was cooked in the ground. I was not a huge fan I have to say but always nice to try. We also learnt some interesting facts about New Zealand that the Maoris' were not the first to come to New Zealand it was actually the Polynesian and before that New Zealand was just fast empty land. Also the meaning behind the name Rotorua, Roto means lake and rua means second. Many years ago when Rotorua was discovered the explorer found another lake first hence the 'second lake'! Another lovely day out and we took so many fantastic photos, true to form, so please take a peek.

Alan and I have also been using our brain powers in the form of the good old pub quiz's! We entered one in the local Irish bar and Alan decided to use his comical genus side (I Know a rare occasion I hear James and Peter say) and we managed to win a prize for the best wrong answer!!! We also entered a charity quiz with Alan's work colleagues from the Hotel. A very good night, particularly when the head Chef, Jay, very kindly gave us a Jade necklace which stands for two souls coming together for an adventure.It was a lovely gift and very meaningful for our trip. We are planning to get it blessed at the local Jade factory to keep the luck with the necklace. Gestures such as that go a long way to confirm why some people believe New Zealanders to be some of the nicest people in the world.

We have tried to make the most of the time off work that we do have by either going on walks, one mountain Alan decided to walk up took us ages then we got near the top, Alan heard a few too many buzzing noises (he's scared of wasps - wimp!!), so we decided to end that hike but the views on the way up were spectacular! You could see out across Rotorua and all the lakes we have previously been to.

I have also been very happy about the release of the Sex and the City film. To watch the film I thought in good sprit Alan and I should have a girlie night in, Alan didn't think the wine and the copious amount of crisps was too bad, but thought I was taking it a little too far when I wanted to do his make-up and paint his nails! I loved the fact that while watching the film I was able to recognise and connect with different places used in the film throughout New York!

While we have been away we have realised what a small world it is (I know sounds cheesy) but while Alan was at work at the hotel he bumped into his old boss from when he left school. I also served one of my old school teachers Mr. Knight, my old German teacher.. ..Crazy!

We have also been out and about to houses in Rotorua. One of the ladies at my work Sophie is British and has been out here for about 8 years. Since I have been working with her I think she's feeling a little home sick, when we start talking at work a few of the kiwis don't have a clue what we are saying as we start almost talking our own dialect! She invited us round for a drink or two and it was time to get the trivial pursuit out. A great night out and the views from her house were breathe taking as the sun set over the lake down from her house, I was there like a geek capturing the moment! With views like that I don't think she stays very homesick for long! A lovely lady and someone you can have a good bit of banter with. Someone we will both definitely keep in contact with.

We would like to thank everyone for all the lovely packages we have received through the post they have kept us going! I no longer have shinny orange skin, thank you mum, and Alan has turned into a big mint. I do have to control how many soft mints he eats a day! Also thank you to Macca who has been back to the old school style of communication and we have been speaking through the form of a letter!

Due to my brain storming actives this blog is in no chronological order but all the boxes are ticked on the brain storm! So I do apologise but while writing this Alan had to ban me from facebook for a while so I could actually get this written. He thinks I will turn into one big facebook icon!!!!

Please keep the messages coming as they do mean so much to us, we have been away for 7 months now. Every time we read a message from someone from home it makes the day even brighter! We'll keep the blog updated on a more regular basis as in three weeks time we will be back on the road. South Island is the next travel destination. Alan is getting very excited about exploring the south island, as he has turned into a bit of a scenery geek in his old age! I can't wait to hit Fiji to be lying on a beach with a very large cocktail. (I think maybe that throughout this blog I have started to sound like a bit of an alcoholic.) It almost feels like we are going to start the whole travelling process again as we have sort of settled here for a few months and now off to pack again! Not looking forward to Alan starting his packing with all his yad (put that in for you mum!!!) it will take a while!

Keep us updated with any news from home, I think Alan totally up to date with Chelsea as he gets up at stupid o'clock in the morning to watch them, the only time I hear him though is when they score and I can hear an almost silent cheer as he jumps about like a bloody monkey with a cattle prid up his bum!! But what's happening with Hollyoaks? I was updated and sent the link when Max died I was so upset, poor Tom (sad I know as I have been told so many times before it .... It's not real!)

Lots of love and manly hand shakes

Missing you all dearly

Jules & Alan

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