Hello all!!!

We are so so sorry for not updating this enough - we are doing so much and internet is rubbish!

Anyway, it has been a while since we last wrote so I will very quickly fill you in on the happenings in the rest of the US. After San Clemente we headed to LA to drop off the car via beautiful beaches. Then decided to try to get to San Diego. This proved interesting and we quickly learned that if you dont want to be scared out of your wits by strange men offering you their house for the night - dont take the bus!!!

We escaped unscathed and got to San Diego which is lovely. Its like I had imagined San Francisco to be and the Gaslamp Quarter where we stayed is this really cool funky little area.

We met 4 guys in the hostel and decided to head out on a road trip up to LA to fly out and so rented a car. Only we had to rent a soccermom van which looked absolutely ridiculous!!! Also we sounded a bit like the beginning of a joke...3 irishmen, 2 english girls and an Aussie on a road trip...! The punch line I think happened when we planned to have a bbq and then a beach bonfire the one night. The only problem was that the beach fire pits closed early and the bbq didnt work. So having bought steak, we discovered that Aussies really can bbq on anything as Nathan managed to cook some really tasty dinner despite using a saucepan, a 2 ring electric stove and bbq tongs!!!

Our last 2 nights were spent in Hollywood and then we flew out to Fiji.

Sorry that I am cutting things really short but as we are now in NZ I figure I had better.

Fiji was beautiful though Nadi town itself is nothing too great really. Partially because there is not that much there and partially as there has been a lot of flood damage. The first night was kind of horrible as the hostel was really dirty and bug infested (YAY!) but the islands where we spent most of the week were gorgeous. Lots of clear blue water, and white sand. All of the resorts differ a little with some being much quieter than others. Safe Landing, the first one is tiny and really peaceful. It advertises itself as being run by native fijians, but in fact is run by an Aussie guy who is in charge of everything! From there we moved on to Coral View which had a lot more to offer. From here we kayaked to the blue lagoon (which was absolutely knackering especially on the way back in the midday sun!). Our next stop was Korovou which had a fresh water pool and lots of entertainment which was lovely. Then we went on the Wanna Taki cruise and had a go at scuba diving along the reef which was lovely. I also jumped off the side of the boat which at 3 metres high is not that high but Im a chicken!!! Our last twp stops were Waya Lailal and Beachcomber which were really different. The first one was an eco resort and really relaxing. The latter, was a little more party orientated so it was a nice change.

All the islands are loads of fun and we spent our days learning how to weave palm leave bags and make bracelets from coconut. I also got to crack one open with a machete!!!
Had an awesome time in Fiji but if you are island hopping then a week is enough as they are pretty much the same in terms of activity etc.

We are now in NZ. We flew into Auckland and spent a few days there before heading North to Pahia in the Bay of Islands and Cape Reinga right at the northern tip. We decided to go with a tour bus and went with Stray as they do things a little differently. Has proven a little annoying as the buses are often full but if you plan ahead its pretty good. Cape Reinga was really lovely as you get to see where the Tasman sea meets to Pacific ocean. We were hoping for a storm as then the waves are huge but the weather did not oblige. We did however go Sandboarding which was awesome. Down these massive sand dunes across a stream (which is also officially classed as a road!!!).

Since then we have headed South. We went Surfing in Raglan the other day and we managed to stand up and everything!!! We have also been white water rafting down a 7 metre waterfall (AHHH!) and are planning to go Sky diving from 15,000 feet tomorrow!

I promise to write soon and I will do it in smaller chunks so I can actually tell you about it.

Hope you are all well and please send messages so that we know what is going on at home

LOADS AND LOADS OF LOVE
Missing you all loads
Bron
xxx