Romantic Russel, a short ferry ride away from Paihia Wharf where you are jinked across the chaotic harbour by a capable captain. The whole place has a very French Polynesian feel about it, its white, slated window shutters and mellow, teal painted buildings create a very neat and welcoming appearance. On the dark sand of the quay, over the top of my book I noticed how wondrously white my toe nails looked against my tanned flesh - I've practically become a Maori....

Jealously watching wake boarders zipping along the water with a cold Diet Coke in my hand was blissful as the sun was on the rise to my right and making the water sing! Already the Wharf has come to life with eager beavers being herded onto ferries for exciting day excursions. As for ourselves, we were keenly awaiting our ferry to Urupukapuka, a mouthful to say but apparently a fantastic spot for snorkelling and bronzing. For a $70 fee we will be there for six h...

Before leaving Whangarei we decided to head to the Falls that they have there. All in all it was a pleasant stroll around a loop that encompassed the falls and took roughly twenty minutes to complete - not a bad way to digest your toast and coffee. When we got a Paihia, cwtched into the East, central coast of the Northland, we were greeted by spectacular views of the sea that had a vast network of over 144 islands lying on its surface like sleeping giants. Our ...

We spent 9 until 3:45 in a library planning where we wanted to go after Fiji as you need an exit flight in order to enter the country so it looks like we're going to the Philippines! It looks grotesquely beautiful and I can't wait to get over there, I won't say too much on what we have planned as I like to keep you in suspense! Researching all the things available and picking what you fancy is a drag but it's much more fun than what chelsea does, which is read t...

Hobbiton was everything that I ever dreamed, I loved every second of it! Being unable to definitively give a date that I could go to Hobbiton because of the campervan, I decided that I would just book the night before I intended to go. Unfortunately, this plan fell around my ears; after looking at their website, I was horrified to learn that they were fully booked - literally every day until the 3rd of January, ten days away! Though as you will well know by now,...