Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Kia Ora (hello) everyone!
I'm not sure about uploading photos at the moment; we'd have to connect something up to the computer so it might pass a virus...
Our first night (in Auckland), was a bit of a nightmare. Let's just say I'm really glad I had a sleeping bag liner and a pillow as the room was not pretty (suspicious stains everywhere, and there were wet towels on the floor in the bathroom), and hopefully I won't be having too many more pot noodles for dinner.
The next day we started our bus tour going up to Paihia; they seem to be quite good as they take you to proper cafes and such so we've been eating sandwiches, pastries, fish and chips, etc most of the time. This morning's breakfast was the only meal we've had to find ourselves I think.
Anyway, other than looking at the pretty scenery on the way I can't remember anything too eventful. When we got to Paihia we booked ourselves on a 3 hour cruise thing that went to the "hole in the rock" out in between the 144 islands around here, and dolphin watching. The first thing that happened was my camera went dead. Bummer. Luckily Adam had his camera, so it was okay. But then there was a group of killer whales, including a baby one! I wasn't expecting that so it was quite cool. There was then a group of bottlenose dolphins (again, with a week old one) that swam around and under the catamaran. At this point we were sitting outside at the very front of the catamaran so we had quite a good view (quite a bumpy ride though!).
After that we had to sit inside as it got very very choppy; I got a little seasick but made it back okay.
The next day (yesterday), we made the day trip up to Cape Reinga, up at the very top of New Zealand. It was good, but early again (another 7am pick up). We started the day by walking through sacred Kaouri (sp?) forests, which are the second biggest trees in the world. We stopped at a bakery and got a few things and lunch and stuff, then head up to Cape Reinga which was gorgeous. The Tasman Sea meets the Pacific there. We then stopped for about an hour at a nearby beach with massive massive waves that took a lot of people out. After that I think was when we headed down to the sand dunes to sandboard. I was well nervous at the beginning because it was so steep, but in the end it was really good. I only had enough energy to do it once though, as they were 100m high! Really hard to climb up. I think we do it at some point in Oz though so hopefully I'll get another chance. Afterwards we stopped at 90mile beach for another dip; a lot of people were collecting and eating shellfish, but I passed on that. I stepped on a crab, and saw another few around me, so that freaked me out for a couple minutes....
But overall it was really good! We didn't drive for more than 1.5 hours at a time, and the driver was really friendly and information and everything. We learnt a lot! But I've forgotten a lot of it, and probably won't remember anything by the time I get back...
I've found I'm not a massive fan of dorm hostels...although that might be because I'm so so exhausted still, and my bag seems to have shrunk so everything is now everywhere. This hostel is much much nicer than the one in Auckland though; we stay there again tonight, but in a different room so hopefully the bad experience was a one off. Another thing that made the dorms quite difficult was that when we got up for the Cape Reinga trip, it was still dark and not everyone was going. Adam and I are on top bunks on different beds, so it was really really hard to get ready quietly and in the dark. It was better this morning as we got a sleep in until 9 or so when we all had to check out. I'm not really into the drinking/parties either and end up going to bed quite early, so feel a bit anti social. Hopefully it'll be better when I'm not so jetlagged...
I think that's everything at the moment! Some of this probably didn't make much sense; I'm still so so tired. Tonight when we get back to Auckland is time for laundry, so that should be interesting. And tomorrow a 9am pick up to go to Mercury Bay! It might be because I'm tired, but it feels like we've been gone for months rather than just a week, and I'm feeling really homesick. I can't believe we've only just started! Simple things, like showers or eating, just seem so complicated now. I am having a good time though, probably just need more sleep. I'll update when I get a chance--not sure when that'll be now though, as I think we have something going on everyday now until we get to Christchurch in about 3 weeks time. Then we're off to Australia, and then Africa! Aggh so many things to sort out before then, still need to get visas.... :S
Cristina
- comments