What a surprise, so here I am - The Cook Islands (for those who have no idea where these are, think south of Hawaii and East of Fiji - think paradise island in the South Pacific). Well? Wouldn't you escape the cold when faced with 170 pound return fare? And technically I've not really left New Zealand (well that's my excuse for whimping out). So, I left Auckland at 10pm on Wednesday 26th April and arrived in the Cook Islands at 4am on Wednesday 26th April...

I'm so excited, today is my Groundhog Day... come to think of it though, should it be tomorrow... actually thinking again when is tomorrow? Well enough of that thinking for now. Auckland - lots of hills, lots of unexpected and very heavy rain showers, lots of people. I've been shopping (t-shirt replacement therapy), I've been to see king penguins, I've walked across NZ from East to West in a day and I've had a few drinks. That's about it really. Auckland'...

Kia Ora everyone. I'm in Auckland, just got here today so no real impressions as yet but I have walked down the Ponsonby Road as that's where my hostel is and must say it's a very nice part of town - think Kings Road and you're there. Oh before I tell you all what I've been up to over the past week, I need to mention this as you'll understand why all the time I've been in NZ I keep thinking I'm in the UK. Last night I actually caught a little bit of...

Hi everyone, happy Easter and I hope you're not all eating too many chocolate eggs and enjoying the well-deserved holiday. Well Easter finds me in Rotorua or as the locals like to call it Rotovegas which is due to the sheer number of hotels here (surprisingly all booked up for Easter??). And it feels quite appropriate to be here for easter as it has a real egg theme - though we're talking rotten eggs not chocolate ones. Yep I'm in the thermal capital of NZ and...

Well, how was Wellington? Let's just say it was pretty windy, had good bars, not so good shopping, poor hostels and very, very bad hairdressers. So now looking like Suzie Quatro c.1978 I've said goodbye to Erica once again (but don't worry everyone she'll be back), and I've taken the magic bus up the east coast to Napier to be met by beautiful sunny skies, 25 degree temperatures, blue sea, penguins, art deco, oh and acres and acres of vineyards. Nap...