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North Island
Well this time we have luggage!We arrived in to Auckland to rain and freezing temperatures-welcome to a New Zealand summer!A brief stop here so decided to view it from the air-the SkyTower. Fantastic look at Auckland even if we did not feel quite in touch with what we were seeing!The following day we picked up the car and with Brian's aversion to any new machinery,Sandy drove up to Tukukaka towards the Bay of Islands.We are finding in New Zealand that after backpacking, the next cheapest accomodation is a studio or appartment.We stayed on a peninsular with spectacular views which reminded us of Cornwall.With breakfast provided here,we soon discovered the New Zealanders passion for tinned peaches and pears(one that we do not share!)The first necessity was the washing-over two weeks of it -we were feeling very smelly!We then got down to exploring the area,with beautiful walks,waterfalls and rugged coves.We were surprised to find graffiti in many places and also boy racers.Obviously, this is becoming a global problem, unfortunately.We then moved up to the Bay of Islands to spend Christmas in Paihia.This area is stunning and had better weather too!The Christmas period was the only pre-booked part of our time here and on arriving we booked out again.Yes, it was that bad- the last straw was that it overlooked Woolies!However, we did find a gem of a place which ticked all the right boxes,down to the balcony overlooking the sea.On Christmas Eve Sandy broke with the habit of a lifetime and we went to Midnight Service.It was quite special with the church packed,though at times the service was very alternative,providing much unintentional entertainment and not just to us.One such moment was during the collection.They had not considered the numbers of people and how much time this would take,so on instruction,we just kept singing the last verse of Away in a Manger(we now know the words)!Christmas Day dawned with the temperatures in the high seventies and a swim calling(not for Brian though!).There were no decorations anywhere and no crackers or festive chocolates!Well, we wanted it to be different and despite the odd nostalgic pang,it was fantastic.At lunchtime,we did THE BARBECUE! Setting off to the beach(where else!) with our disposible barbecue(which Sandy had managed to persuade a little old man to open up his shop late on Christmas Eve,to purchase it)we chose a site where hopefully we would not burn all the driftwood lying around and we barbecued our breakfast sausages.We were situated round a corner and with the tantalising smell wafting in the wind, people were rounding the corner expectantly, including an American family.The lady, on seeing our barbecue started exclaiming that this was what she expected to see New Zealanders doing on Christmas Day.She was getting more excited by the minute,then we told her that we were in fact from the U.K.and this was what we thought we should be doing too!Despite being disappointed, she did see the funny side of it and we just felt so authentic!We ate them too(see photos), then we went to a restaurant to eat proper food.No, not turkey, but fish.We walked back to a glorious sunset and shared champagne on the balcony.Rather different to our usual Christmas, but very special because of that.
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