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Right a long old time since we have written this, and for that we are very sorry to you all. North Isalnd New Zealand was a bucket full of laughs. It started off with a hunting trip to a lodge in the middle of the north island. We have the connections through our lovely frined Annemarie who took on the role as our mum for our time in New Zealand. The trip was amazing and consisted of clay pigeon shooting, quad biking, black water rafting, stalking and rally car driving, not to mention the privet helicopter ride we got to and from the lodge! Evenings were filled with Tequilla and amazing food!
We then hired our camprvan which we named 'Penelope' and we had her for 16 days with just each other and a map. We headed north first with Cape Regina in sight, on route we stopped off in the Bay of Islands for a couple of days as well as having some days at a beach further north. Northland involved lots of reading, as we both have become obsessed with our books and roman history (people go travelling to find themselves, we find out we are nerds who plan there day around reading!). Did some sand dunning and lots of beach time. With the campervan it included a lot of washing in the sea and running around trying to find a suitable place for toilet stops..... Not also to mention that we were cooking for ourselves out of the back of Penelope so it meant that we were eating very basically and as a result both ended up lossing a far bit of weight.
After the Northaland we headed to Hamilton to atch the Chiefs play the Warathas in the super 15 rugby tournement which was a real highlight for us, obviously both being keen rugby fans. We ened getting so carried away with the fun and beer that we were in no fit state to drive our van anywhere, so ended up staying in a chinese guys garden with our van! After the rugby we headed for Waitomia to do the black water caving/rafting which was really really goood fun, we got dressed up in thick old wetsuits and then headed 39 meters below ground and floated around, climbed waterfalls and jumped off rocks! From there we headed for Taupo and Rotura where we didn't really do all that much, we enjoyed the lakes at both places and sat at the waters edge reading for most of the day, thencoming evening time, our pool competion that we have started to have took off. We did lots of swimmming in the natural hot pools and visting the hot springs, as it was a nice chnage from having to wash in the freezing seawater.
We ended our campervanning with a trip to Hobbiton which is the set of the The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings. It is the Shire, and was, for me anyway, one of the highlights of the entire North Island. Sadly it was then a big goodbye to New Zealand having had such a great start to our trip there, but also was very sad to say goodbye to our great friends that we made there. We have three huge thanks you to make. They are to Bruce, Linda, and Annemarie, you guys were all so genourous and we can't tell you how much we appreciate everything you did for us. With all of you, we can't wait to see you when you are across this summer.
We are now in South East asia and have picked up Sam. Now we will see how Asia will treat us. For now all my love to all.
Charlie x
- comments
linda great to hear you enjoyed the north island!! barn is about to be painted yay. take care and enjoy the rest of your travels
Coos Lovely to hear such wonderful stories. love to Dom. Dad's party was great and you were missed!