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Well we are in a whole new country again!
The last day in Australia didn't go quite as I wanted it to! Fancied a nice day wandering around Cairns, taking lots of photos and generally saying goodbye to the place but ended up in bed with food poisoning eating crackers. So I have so far ended SE Asia with Bangkok riots, and Australia with a poorly tummy! Hopefully our last days in New Zealand will be far less eventful in that respect, but it's another 3 1/2 weeks away, yay :) Doesn't feel like long to fit in everything we want to do, though!
The flights to Auckland were fine, the usual stuff and we got some good movies! We had Dear John, a film about a soldier who goes off to war leaving, as the lads would say, his 'missus' behind. Made me realise I really don't have it so bad leaving Huw behind for a few months, as much as I might miss him. Really don't understand how people go/let people go into the army. We also had It's Complicated which is very funny and quite odd! Definitely worth a watch. So yeah... back to the travelling! We had 2 3-hour flights, Cairns-Sydney and Sydney-Auckland, getting to Cairns airport at 10.30am and leaving Auckland airport at around midnight. Nice long day! We are currently staying with family friends of Emma's just outside the main city of Auckland, it's really odd to be in a house and does make me a little bit homesick, but enjoying the change of pace from hostels. Was nice to have a comfy bed to collapse onto last night.
Today we went into the main city of Auckland to catch a ferry over to the island of Waiheke, where we met Gaelle's cousin (everyone knows people over here but me!). Apparently the ferry is the best way to see Auckland, and they weren't lying, the pic I have on this post is basically the view we got. Really pretty. Gaelle's cousin has spent 4 months on the island working in a vineyard, which is basically all they do over there! He took us right to the other side of the island where he works and gave us a free wine tasting. We pretended, unsuccessfully, to know what he was talking about but basically just worked out that some were tasty and some not so tasty! We also learned to spit the wine so we didn't get too drunk, oh how feminine. Really good experience though and it was a place that the public don't get to visit so we felt quite special! We also went and collected some fruit, I've been told what it's called but it's completely escaped me, from around the area which was also very tasty! The island was very deserted because of the season, so it was cool to be somewhere completely different from the bustling east coast of Australia. There were some gorgeous views of Auckland from the island, tons of steep volcanic hills and loads of half-naked sheep! Just like a really big Wales!
So right now we are back at Philip & Christine's house, where we are staying for tonight and tomorrow night. Tomorrow we are off to wander round Auckland and do some shopping as we have very few winter clothes and it's getting a bit chilly! We also need to sort out our bus route on the MagicBus as we only have 3 1/2 weeks and we need to see both islands before we leave. Busy busy! I have high hopes for NZ though, noone can dislike this place!
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Michelle Glad you are feeling better- am sure NZ will live up to your expectations.