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Well we have now been in New Zealand for 10 days and have been enjoying the familiarity of the North Island. After being parted with our bags on our first Sydney transfer we arrived in Auckland after a serious miscalculation had left us actively preparing to make the jet lag worse.
After stocking up on some extra layers we picked up our home and transport for the next 2 months in the form of a radical, graffiti covered camper. Fearing this was a little too edgy for team Hiles we were pleased to learn the name - Whakatonga - but the 'Wh' is pronounced 'F'…
We set off on the road after being reunited with our luggage and quickly learned our first NZ camping lesson - Never leave the doors open at dusk! After an hour of flip-flop swatting the roof of our van on the first night the NZ Mossie population had taken a serious dent and we settled down to life in a camper.
After a couple of nights feeling our way we were joined again on our travels by Franky, who arrived along with her little tent and we were off again after a minimal recovery time in Auckland. As an experienced globetrotter she took the 12 hour time difference in her stride and left us looking like the ones struggling to catch up.
After a few more nights we now have the bed making down to just under 20 minutes (this has a way to go to be perfected) but a couple of sudden rain bursts have taken the tent taking down under 2 minutes! The BBQ is up and running and we have even tried our hand at 'freedom camping' finding a gorgeous spot on the back of the beach for a couple of nights.
Our time has been spent 'tramping' (Kiwi for hiking), diving and taking in the beaches. We have also today visited 'Hot Water Beach' so called as there is a hot geothermal spring just under the beach so all you need is a shovel and a willing digger and you can make your own hot tub by the sea!
From here we head south to take in some Lord of the Rings sights, more thermal eggy water and on to wine country.
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