We left Auckland crazy early for Paihia (Bay of Islands) on Friday morning. The bus seemed very quiet, only 7 people at the time, but I was told that this wasn't uncommon for this part of the trip as a lot of people do not include Pahia in their pass. The drive out of town was a very scenic drive and made me really start to appreciate just how gorgeous New Zealand is. We first headed over the Auckland Harbour Bridge just as the sun was rising over Waitemata Harbo...

Hello Kiwi-land!!! Arrived safe and sound on Monday evening. I got the shuttle bus from just outside the airport for $16 which I was told would take me directly to the hostels in the city centre. Despite all my concerns about leaving Australia, I quickly realised that New Zealand is actually extremely similar to Aus and the UK and straight away I met two fellow travellers on the shuttle bus who were both themselves travelling to the hostels too, which made me a f...