We are back in Auckland after spending 6 weeks cruising the country in our Mazda Bongo and harassing all the cows and sheep along the way. We could write a novel about our experiences but that would take forever so we will just write about some of the highlights :)

Our first day on the road we were pulled over by the police.... for going too slow...which is apparently more dangerous than speeding! We were cruising along a really narrow, winding coastal road which had no barriers and being in van neither of us had experience driving so naturally we were cautious.

Spending our first nights alone in deserted DOC sites, our overactive imaginations reminding us of cheesy horror movies and stories we have heard in the past....eeeek!

Eating Maple syrup and walnut icecream...you have GOT to try it....at least once :oP

Being stuck behind a 200 strong herd of cows, herding them down the road, beeping our horn for about 10km, trying to get past.

Seal watching down the east coast en route to Christchurch.

Doing a flight over the Milford Sounds... Dal got to be co pilot!

Staying the night on a resort with Maz's cousin outside of Queenstown. A welcome break from sleeping in the van as that night temps drop to -5

Seeing the Dalai Lama in Wellington doing a speech on world peace. The guy is a real comedian as well as a genuis.

Starting our very first camp fire on a pebble beach which had us running around like mad tribal women desperately searching for more driftwood to keep it going....so getting to enjoy the fire was bloody exhaustive work!

Spending 3 luxurious nights in an historic homestead ...everyone deserves a treat, ladies of leisure, strolls through the immense bird and forestry sanctuary:)

Driving along the forgotten highway...where the 'The Last Samurai'was filmed

Watching the All Blacks game in Te Anau in the local pub.....loved the Haka (tribal war dance, that Maz loves to constantly demonstrate!!)

Talking about Christmas and having a huge turkey run out into the middle of the road very nearly running it over.....NO we are not joking

Booking into a motel in Taupo with its very own spa bath while our van under went major surgery at the garage. Make the most of every situation life throws at you..

New Zealand in a nutshell.....Once in a while you come across a place where everything seems as close to perfection as you will ever need ......This is definately one of those places.

We've enjoyed it so much that we have decided to extend our stay to enable us more time to enjoy this beautiful country that has so much to offer.... watch this space! :)