It's a while since I had the opportunity to write to the journal. Since NZ we have visited California and Nevada. It was fascinating see the acres of fruit and nuts growing in the valleys and the mountains were majestic. The desert was more interesting than I had expected, but little vegetation and colder than I thought it would be. Las Vegas is Las Vegas but was a good base to visit Hoover Dam (for Robert in particular) which was a tremendous feat of enginee...

Now in North Island and coming to the end of our trip to New Zealand. The scenery is as outstanding as the South Island, but with more people. We're currently in Rotorua enjoying the hot springs after a torrential downpour last night! There's nothing like lazing in a hot tub with raindrops falling around. Hope to see an active geyser tomorrow before leaving for Hamilton on the way up to Auckland to catch our flight to Los Angeles. Our last impression of...

Arrived in NZ several days ago after a great time in Oz. Mixed weather from wet tropics to sunny Brisbane. Visited an old (young) friend in Brisbane which was great after 4 years (it only seemed like a few months ago). We had a wonderful time in the Whitsunday islands, snorkelling twice and swimming in warm sea!! We flew to Sydney for a few days and thoroughly enjoyed city life for a brief spell. Very clean, great transport, wonderful harbour and great dining. We...

Have been snorkelling today - wet from above as well as below!! Noone told us it was the wet season here at the moment. Even so, it was a fantastic experience and we've got the photos to prove it. The rain forest is amazing with plants that we can only grow indoors and vivid flowers. The birds are very exotic and brightly coloured. We did a Skytrail trip over the rain forest canopy with boardwalk information stops. Tomorow we are doing a guided rain forest...