It's been a while since I last blogged; I've been busy travelling the very North with two Italians, Matilde and Amanda.
I now have time to write as I've just arrived at the place where I'm WWOOFing for the next 2 and a half weeks. The couple are really nice with the most amazing house which they have built themselves, overlooking the sea with a back drop of native bush. More about this in the next post.
Day 1
I've now finished my first trimester at Vic uni so am currently of no fixed abode here in New Zealand. My first adventure started on the 17th November when I set off at 5am for Auckland where the 2 Italians and I hired a car for a week.
After stopping at the Howes to drop off some luggage and for a lovely lunch we drove up to Paihia; our base for the next 5 nights. We were staying in a friendly hostel called 'Peppertree lodge' near the centre of town. After a trip to the supermarket and a planning session for the week ahead we fell into bed, already exhausted!
Day 2
A day of many waterfalls. We first set off for the famous Haruru waterfall, a nice waterfall but a little touristy, about 10 steps for the edge of the road. After this we drove on to the little town of Kerikeri where we found a nice little walking track starting at the oldest European building in New Zealand. After 1.5 hours of walking through fantastically green New Zealand forest, complete with vines and ferns of course, we reached the rainbow falls (pictured about). This was more my sort of waterfall; 27m high with a refreshing pool in front and a moss covered cave behind. The Italians found the water too cold so stayed on the bank but under the intense New Zealand sun I was more than happy to swim across, have the waterfall pour down on my head and explore the cave behind.
Once back at the car we drove into the centre of Kerikeri and had a look around the sweet little town before returning to Paihia for a walk to Waitangi along the waterfront before dinner and bed.
Day 3
East coast beach hopping. We set off under thick clouds up the East coast to the north of Paihia. We stopped off at many beautiful sandy beaches along a winding road where we just paddled in the water because of the not so inviting weather. By lunch time we reached Mangonui and as we sat on the water front the sun came out, changing the temperature completely; so much so that once we'd finished our mountain of rice (travelling with Italians meant a lot of food) we went for an icecream.
In the afternoon we drove down the Karikari peninsular to Matai Bay; paradise. Here was one of the most idyllic beaches I've ever seen; the picture above definitely doesn't do it justice! Turquoise-blue sea was met by soft golden sands with craggy rocks to either side and a huge expanse of blue sky above. Despite slapping on suncream we all got rather burnt here. The weather was even warm enough to get Matilde and Amanda in to the water where we had a great swim despite the hundreds of tiny, non-stinging jelly fish. That evening we BBQed lamb, sausages and pepper for dinner and ate strawberries we had bought from a road side stall for dessert, yum!
Day 4
Right up to the North of the North. We set off at 7am with a German who needed a lift up to Kaitaia where our bus tour started. We hopped on to our Harrisons bus where we felt quite young compared to most on board; it was ok though as the tour guide was very sweet and chatty.
Our first stop was a Kauri tree gallery, then a few stops along the East coast including an incredibly white beach with sand almost as fine as flour. Lunch on a very windy beach before travelling to the northern most point of Cape Reinga where the famous lighthouse is and the turquoise Tasman sea can be seen meeting the darker blue Pacific Ocean. It was a shame the weather wasn't nicer but it was probably welcome relief for our sunburn.
Next stop was the sand dunes leading up to 90 mile beach. Here we stopped of and went tobogganing down the dunes which was great fun; got coated in sand! Even the oldies from our bus had a go (not from the top though).
Drove through a river on to 90 mile beach (actually 55 miles), immediately saw a man who obviously had ignored the warnings and got his campervan stuck in the sand. Felt surreal driving along the beach in our old coach.
After the tour we stopped off to buy some salmon and steak for the next 2 days' dinners, then took the winding road back to Paihia. After a long day we decided to go out for dinner to a restaurant in an old boat; I had the mussel chowder as I wanted to try sea food from Paihia.
Day 5
Trees. Went across to the west coast where the largest trees in the country live. On the way we stopped of at a 'scenic point' with breathtaking views overlooking Hokianga harbour.
To the left is a picture of the second largest tree and largest kauri in the world; safe to say it was pretty big! After viewing this we went on to view the 2nd and 7th biggest kauri trees in the world and the '4 sisters' whilst on a 2 hour walk through a forest which made me feel exceedingly small.
On the way back to Paihia we stopped off and caught up with the outside world via wifi; once back we ate our salmon before retiring to bed.
Day 6
Dolphins. Friday was glorious weather wise so we spent the morning strolling through the small town of Paihia before taking a dolphin cruise where if the conditions are right you can swim with the dolphins.
We whizzed off in our boat with just 7 on board, bouncing off all the waves. After just 10 minutes we found a large dolphin pod who were more than happy to swim right up to the boat. Unfortunately they had a young baby with them so we weren't able to swim.
We're not allowed to swim with a pod that has a baby with it as the young dolphin needs to be fed every 3 minutes from it's mother in order to keep warm. After watching this pod for around 30 minutes we cruised between some of the bay's 144 islands in glorious sunshine (got burnt again) and watched gannets diving for fish. A great and relaxing afternoon despite not being able to swim. Amanda and I then went for a short walk to Whaitangi before returning to the hostel for BBQed steak and eggplant.
Day 7
Travelling back to Auckland. We set off early and slowly made our way back down South to Auckland, stopping off at Whangerei Falls and some fantastic beaches along the way.
Relaxing on the golden beaches in the 26C heat was fantastic and wonderfully relaxing.
Finally made it to the Howes around 5pm where Karen had made a delicious banana cake. Then made our way to our next hostel in Auckland, not quite as nice as the other but it did the job.
Day 8
Auckland. After dropping off the car we set off on foot around Auckland, strolled along the water front, visited many tourist shops for the Italians to buy some last minute presents and then went for a huge, very tasty lunch at a little chinese place.
That afternoon was the Christmas parade in Auckland; most surreal seeing thousands of people lining the streets in antlers and sunglasses, slapping on sun cream whilst watching Father Christmas drive past. Definitely doesn't feel like proper christmas here.
In the afternoon we spent a while in the art gallery before getting some scrumptious ice creams from Giapos.
Met Matilde's kiwi friend who she'd met when he spent a few months in her town in Italy.
The evening was then spent re packing Matilde and Amanda's 30kg suitcases before they set off for Italy at 3.30am the next morning.
Day 8
My first day as a lone traveller. Spent the day wandering around Auckland, buying a few presents. In the afternoon I found a shipping container which had been turned in to a pop up out door library so I sat out reading in the sun for a while before catching the bus to Karen's work and returning to the Howes. Had a lovely dinner and managed to catch up with Mum and Dad on skype whilst they were at Michael Mcintyre.
So that's it, my week in the North; I'm already on to my next adventure and having a great time; I'll update you on that next week!
Just finished packing my bags ready to set off on my adventure around New Zealand. Every nook and cranny in my rucksack has been filled; and that's without the large box I'm leaving in Wellington. How I'll cope when I come to go home I have no idea!
I've had an action packed week trying to see everyone and join in with their last activities in Wellington. The week started with a bang (sorry) as I went to Lisa's house to watch Wellington's fire work display for Guy Fawkes (Why they celebrate this I do not know).
Many of my friends hadn't yet tried Strawberry Fare's mega desserts, so a group of us filled up on sweet delights there on Sunday, leaving us so stuffed we were barely able to walk home.
The weather was pretty miserable towards the beginning of the week so some of us took a trip to the observatory where we learnt about both the science of outer space and the Maori legends derived from the stars. It was interesting to see the night sky from this up-side-down point of view; the stars which make up Orion back home depict a pot here. That evening the University provided all the internationals with pizza, a nice break from cooking.
The weather picked up on Thursday, so after doing my last cleaning job of the year (the couple were really sweet and left me a bottle of wine); about 10 of us made the most of living on the coast by jumping into the (rather chilly) water.
It was great fun despite the large crowds that gathered to watch us jump. I regretted being so daring when I got to the top of the highest platform and realised how many people were there, armed with cameras, no chance of backing out! I now have a rather burnt nose as despite slapping on layers of sun cream the sun here was too intense for me.
It was my flat mate Matilde's birthday so I made enchiladas and baked her an chocolate and orange drizzle cake to eat, accompanied by my cleaning wine, with Russell and Amanda.
Today Matilde finally finished her exams so we took a walk, with Amanda, up to the wind turbine on the hill overlooking Wellington. The views across the city were fantastic, we could see right across the bay, clearly showing how Wellington is surrounded by water.
We're going out tonight to say a final farewell to everybody before we all head our separate ways; still can't believe we've been here over 4 months already!
This week started off a little lonely as I was free from the stress of exams but all my friends were still locked inside studying; a shame as they were missing some beautiful, hot weather.
On Sunday it was Russell (on the left), one of my American flat mates' 21st birthday. Sadly he had an exam the next morning but we had a flat meal of roast lamb and I made a cake to celebrate. The picture to the right is of my flat, just missing Tony our Kiwi mate.
I spent Monday and Tuesday relaxing in the sun, buying presents and attempting to organise the next 3 months of travelling that lie ahead. Tuesday evening was a goodbye party for Maxence (French) as he left for Australia and won't return until everyone else has gone home. Luckily I'll be seeing him again next trimester as he's one of the few staying for the whole year.
On Wednesday I did my penultimate cleaning job then met up with a much smaller than expected group of geologists, most were apparently put off by the rain (weather had a blip on Weds). We went to the library for cocktails then they showed me a hidden Alice in Wonderland themed bar.
Today, after a misty morning, we had a glorious day so a group of us went to Wellington's sandy beach for scrummy gelatos and a swim. The water was bracing but we soon got used to it/went numb! In the photo to the left we felt like true Kiwis as we wandered down the street barefoot.
I thought I'd pop in a few photos of my room before I leave it for 3 months; just to give you a feel of where I'm living.
I'm looking forward to the next week, as we make the most of what will be many's last days in Wellington, but it will be sad to see all my friends depart.
I'm a little behind on posting and don't have any photos from the past week as I've been spending most of my time studying for the exams which I've just finished; meaning I'm now officially on my Summer holidays, no more work until March!!
Both exams were alright, should find out how I did within the next couple of weeks; they're much quicker at getting results back here than in the UK; already found out I got an A+ in the practical exam I was worried about :)
Whilst most of the past couple of weeks has been spent hunched over my laptop and books I did take some time out to go to the Embassy cinema in Wellington, made famous by the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings premiers; a much nicer cinema than most I've visited in the UK. Matilde, Amanda and I went there to see 'Captain Phillips'; a great film starring Tom Hanks as a captain taken hostage by Somalian pirates. Despite making me dizzy at the beginning with some annoying camera work it was a really good, intense film with great acting from Tom Hanks.
Other than that my week has been pretty dull. I managed to go out for a few runs along the water front, dodging the bipolar weather we've been having; bright blue skies one moment then torrential downpours and house shaking winds the next.
I'm now on to planning the next 4 months of travelling; first stop Northland with a couple of Italians, I'll keep you posted (and hopefully have a few more photos)!
Last Friday I had my final lecture of this trimester; this means I now just have an essay and two exams to go until I finally get my summer holiday. I will then be free to explore New Zealand until March!
Due to the 'stress' of these coming exams the university feel it would be too overwhelming for us to have to deal with making breakfast and lunch at the moment, so every day this week we get free cereal, toast and hot chocolate for breakfast and soup, bread and fruit for lunch, it also gives me an excuse to take a break from my essay; I'm not complaining!
Whilst most of the week has been spent churning out an essay on the Otaki landscape and reciting the formation of igneous and metamorphic rocks I was forced to take a few breaks to enjoy the bright sunshiny days. Most of the week has been the usual grey but Saturday was glorious; I went for a run and took these photos on my ipod (hence the bad quality). Trotting along the water front with the sun beating down (don't worry Mum, sun cream was used) put me in a great mood, despite the tomato face. This was then repeated on Wednesday on return from my cleaning job.
On Sunday it was my turn to cook for the flat; I'd got a taste for roast at the Howes so decided to show the others what should be eaten on a Sunday; Roast chicken, potatoes, veg and to add a Kiwi twist, roast kumara.
So I haven't been doing anything too wild this week, still had a good time. I had to say goodbye to my German friend Ricarda as she went home and it made me realise everyone is going to leave soon so I'll have to make the most of the time I have with them before I become a lone traveller. Definitely glad I'm staying a year, seems too soon to be going back already!
This post is a little later than usual as I've only just got back from a fantastic weekend in Auckland, staying with the Howes (second cousins). The plan was to return to Wellington on Monday evening but due to extreme winds (140 kmph) in Wellington my flight was cancelled and I was unable to get another one until 6am Wednesday morning. The Howes kindly put up with me for another two nights.
I set off on Thursday evening, glad to get out of the petrology lab, where I had been frantically trying to learn how to identify 50 minerals, for a few days. Flew into Auckland for 8pm and was met at the airport by Karen, Andrew and Alice.
On Friday we started our day of scrumptious food with a breakfast of pancakes before heading out into the wind and rain (which I brought up from Wellington). First off we took a view of Auckland from Mount Eden, an old volcanic cone containing a large crater. We then took a stroll along the waterfront, viewing some brilliant photos and Chinese Naval ships along the way. Andrew managed to score a perfect shot, hitting a small boy right on the head with a ball in a nearly deserted park; pretty impressive. We made our first tasty stop off for lunch at 'The Food Truck'; a restaurant that serves good quality, healthier 'fast food' which stemmed from a TV program.
We then made our way into the city centre and visited the art gallery which had a mixture of impressive older art and slightly odd modern art; I don't think I'll ever understand this.
Continuing on the food theme Karen, Alice and I then had the most amazing ice creams from 'Giapo' (http://giapo.com/)
on Queen Street; I had tiramisu and lemon meringue flavours; both scrumptious and beautiful.
We then returned to the Howes' home and Karen, Alice and I went down to the beach to walk off our ice creams in preparation for the next meal.
After watching some very funny old home videos Karen, Andrew, George, Alice, George's girlfriend Tara and I went out for pizza followed by frozen yoghurt (the latest craze).
On Saturday we saw a slight improvement in the weather. We headed North, first stopping at a honey shop where you can test various flavours of honey and the huge range of honey/pollen products and see some of the bees busy at work. Continuing North we made our way to the very sweet Matakana farmers' market where we had lunch and hot chocolate before driving to Omaha where the Howes have spent a holiday. The picture below is on the beach there.
On our way back we stopped off at a pottery place which displayed the most fantastic colours, then 'Little and Friday' in Devonport. The cakes above were our choices from 'Little Fridays' they all looked so tasty it was too hard to choose; in the end Alice, Karen and I divided the sticky date pudding, the doughnut and the lemon coconut cake between us; all of which were delicious and I still can't decide which was my favourite. That evening, after Karen's amazing steak and kumara mash, George, his friend Michael and I went to the cinema to watch Gravity; a great film despite making me feel rather dizzy at the beginning.
Sunday (Tom's Birthday): After skyping Mum and Dad we packed up lunch in to the Campervan and set off up the West coast to Karekare; a lot wilder than the East. Here the sand is bluish black due to the high concentration of Iron. We went for a short stroll and saw a large gannet colony and plenty of kite surfers then had lunch and Milo (a malty hot drink) which we used to do the Tim Tam slam (http://www.fussfreecooking.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/a143.jpg)
Stopped off at a Nursery on the way back to choose some plants for the Howes' garden; plants here tend to have harder leaves than back home and grasses are more popular. For tea Karen cooked a roast dinner; the first I've had since arriving in New Zealand, oh how I've missed Sunday roasts!
On Monday Karen and Alice went back to School and Andrew to work so I made my way into Auckland on the bus; it was nice to just wonder around the city; it almost felt like I was back in the UK wandering around Auckland with all the bustle and busy streets. That evening I was meant to be flying back to Wellington so when I got home I got my bag ready and packed then discovered my flight was cancelled and after sitting on hold for 1/2 an hour was told the next available flight was 6am on Wednesday.
Andrew kindly set up a computer in the Kitchen so I could spend Tuesday revising for my geology exam. After a long day of trying to cram all I could about rocks into my head, Karen, Alice and I went for a very short walk along the beach (the tide was in) and I had my first taste of spirulina in a local cafe; this algae was surprisingly tasty. Had an early night before the 4am start in order to fly back to Wellington in time for my geology test this morning.
I had an absolutely wonderful time in Auckland, it was great to see Karen, Andrew, George and Alice again and they were so kind to me. I really look forward to seeing them again at some point during my time here.
Can't quite believe 3 months have gone by already; it was three months ago tomorrow that I boarded that plane to set off on the journey of a life time. The amount of amazing new people I've met and experiences I've packed into this first quarter of my year is incredible and I haven't even had my summer holidays yet. It's crazy to think that most of my friends here only have one and a half months left of their adventure and my close friend Ricarda has just 10 days! How time flies when you're having fun.
Yes, you did read that right, Christmas...in Spring...in the middle of October, utter madness I know. Some American friends decided that as we won't be able to spend Christmas together, because most people are going home, we should have an early Christmas party, combined with Josh's Birthday. This consisted of a hundreds of fairy lights, dozens of Christmas songs, numerous woolly jumpers, a mug full of candy canes and a sellotape Christmas tree on a wrapping paper covered wall. All in all a great fun night, even if a little odd.
Having completed ten weeks of lectures term is starting to draw to a close; this means multiple assignments and the start of the dreaded revision for exams. Luckily here at Vic uni we are up on the hill which means a lot of effort when bringing back groceries but it also means that the library has a most fantastic view across the city and out to the bay which makes studying that little bit more bearable.
As breaks from study I spent Wednesday night at Rica's with Matilde and Wolfy where we watched 'Goodbye Lenin' after a tasty meal. On Saturday I went to town with Ricarda as it's our last weekend together, then in the evening we had another Disney evening but with Aladdin this time. On Sunday I went round to Bob's and learnt to play Hallelujah on the ukulele (very slowly).
Now to get back to work before I jet off to Auckland on Thursday to spend the weekend with Karen, Andrew, George and Alice (second cousins).
After stopping at the Howes to drop off some luggage and for a lovely lunch we drove up to Paihia; our base for the next 5 nights. We were staying in a friendly hostel called 'Peppertree lodge' near the centre of town. After a trip to the supermarket and a planning session for the week ahead we fell into bed, already exhausted!
