We are certainly enjoying our NZ experience. We took a fantastic boat trip in the Bay of Islands and saw the Hole in the Rock, the Cape Brett Lighthouse, Russell (use to be known as the Hell Hole of the Pacific) and the island Urupukapuka where Zane Grey use to live and do his Marlin fishing when not writing his western novels.

We stayed on a farm stay (a cheap camping option)....what a farm. Probably the roughest we have ever come across including our Australian experiences. As we filled up with fuel later that day the fuel guy told us the owner was a millionaire. You just never can tell!

We went to a fantastic clock museum at Whangarei (see the photos). Also watched a glass blower making bowls, vases etc. Then we headed to the Whangarei falls.

Absolutely loved our Waitangi Treaty House. The cultural tour included a guided tour about the signing of the Treaty with the British, the welcoming at the house where the ceremony took place. I was thrilled when they did the hakka and sang. Would love to go back and do this bit again.

We then travelled onto Rawene and watched the vehicle ferry come across the bay. Also went to see the giant Kauri tree - some 270 metre tall and 12 metres girth.

Having travelled further north and down the north west coast we have now come down past Auckland and are doing the west coast of the north Island.