Hi there, I have just recovered from my jet lag. I have spent two days and done very little. Tomorrow, I head up north to Paihia. I have joined a travel network which gives me the opportunity to hop on and hop off at destinations throughout the north and south islands. I went into the STA Travel office to ask what was the best way to travel around New Zealand, as I had orignally planned to use public buses. The nice young man, suggested this travel network because there was a good deal on at the moment which was a similar price the public transfort pass. He even managed to sway a free bonus trip for me too, which was nice..... The city of Auckland, (City of Sails) is becoming an adventure capital. You can jump off the Sky Tower, climb and swing off the bridge, go canyoning, biking, rock climbing, sky diving to name but a few. There is a large population of Asians, lots of chinese, japanese and thai. The food is fantasic, I can get big bowl of noodles for two pound fifty, with lots of vegetables. I love it. I also had a nice massage, my legs were like swollen trees trucks after my long flight. Not nice, I can tell you... I felt so much better afterwards. Well worth the money. Will write soon, take care love Annie