Home after a truly great trip

Home, and planning the next one!

I'm home

Auckland has many similarities with Sydney. A huge harbour that is criss crossed continually with ferries, a commercial port right on the city's edge, a naval dockyard, streets that head in random directions, 19th century architecture and a skyline that is dominated by an imposing communications tower. None of which is a bad thing. My Airbnb is in Queen St, which is the heart of the city and therefore a great place from which to head out. Like most large cit...

The Coromandel Peninsula is a narrow peninsula with a mountain range running down the middle. Whangamata, where I'm housesitting, is on the east side and has been voted as having the best beach in NZ. From my perspective it is certainly a pleasant change to be able to stroll along the sand in the middle of June. The weather here is so different to what I have experienced the last 2 weeks, it's hard to believe I am in the same country. And I have graduated fro...