What a beautiful place!
I flew into Auckland,
and I loved Auckland, maybe because it was the first place for 2 and a half months where everyone spoke English.
on the first day I booked myself onto a Coach tour of the North & South Island,
this was a Bus system where You can decide where you want to go and how long you want to stay in places it was called the Magic Bus,
also a great way to meet other travellers, i met so many lovely people.
but First things first - A Vineyard Tour
the Vineyards was on an Island in Auckland bay called Whaihiki, and what a joy,
I was on a tour with a group of people, that like myself enjoyed a tipple, so we all got on great. the Vineyards were beautiful, with plenty of fine wine & lunch thrown in, a great day.
The next day i went north to the Bay of Islands, and had a boat Cruise around the Islands, we were lucky enough to see a pod of Dolphins hunting,
i couldn't believe it, I tried to take pictures, but the dolphins were so fast i ended up with some great pictures of the Sea.
on the cruise i met up with a girl/fellow traveller called Nicky afterwards we had a meal together in a lovely seashore restaurant.
Routorua
here i went to the Waitomo Caves to see the Glow Worms,
(will tell you all about this later)
Lake Taupo
Dinner at a Maori village plus a Show,
it wasn't a real Maori Village but it was a great show, and plenty of food
Napier
i loved Napier it was my kind of place, by the sea, not to big, and not to small with plenty of Shops, Cafe and bars,
met up with Stacie and Emma and had a couple of meals together it was lovely to see them Both
(got stuck in Napier for a couple of day due to David Beckem)
Wellington
nice city, stayed at the YMCA had dinner with Stacie at a Thai Restaurant we had a good chat and giggle
Kiakoura
a very small place - Stayed at the Adelphi hostel in the middle of town
went on a Cruise to see Whales It was fantastic , i saw 3 Whales
next day a cruise to see Dusky Dolphins and they are the most energetic of dolphins
they jump out of the water showing off to each other, (got some great pictures)
had dinner at a very good Thai
Christchurch - it was ok but i didn't take to it.
Scenic Railway from Kiakoura to Christchurch a great way to see the countryside
Greymouth - Stayed at the Neptune Backpacker a very homely hostel
I loved Greymouth i travelled there by the Trans Alpine train a fantastic journey
then did some shopping and had dinner in a poncy wine bar(loved it)
went to see a show "Fiddlesticks" a very talented NZ band
Franz Josef
Small but pretty town,
walked though a rain forest to get to the Glacier (how weired is that )
Queenstown
-stayed at The Southern Laughter, a lovely Backpackers (had my own telly)
a cruise around the Milford sounds Stunning scenery- see pictures
Dunedin
Stayed at the Manor House Backpackers, and a Manor House is was not!
i have never seen such a dilapidated hostel in my life (or so i thought )
I didn't like Dinedin maybe because of the bad hostel or because there were to many Bric-a-brac shops and not enough poncy wine bars,
anyway i when to Cadburys Chocolate Factory and wished i had gone to the albatross wildlife santury instead(it was quite expensive) but we live and learn.
Lake Tekapo
What a beautiful place!
Because all the hostels were full i had to book into a Lovely hotel on the shores of the lake for one night(and it wasn't too expensive) i had such a restful sleep and breakfast overlooking the lake (see pictures, when i get round to it)
then Back to Auckland to Fly to Australia
