Derek was kind enough to drive Emma and I to the YHA Hostel to meet our bus. We were expecting the big Orange Stray bus but instead got a funky big white Ritchies bus. Seems Stray was short a bus and a bus driver so were improvising. After a very confusing briefing we headed up to Mount Eden for our last look of Auckland from an extinct volcanoe. Then headed South to the Coromandel Peninsula via the colonial town of Thames to our first stop - Hahei Beach. W...

Arrived in Auckland at 2:30am finally! Ended up meeting a really nice Samoan guy called John and hanging out with him at the airport all day. We finally ended up in the bar out of pure frustration. So I am here. Unfortunately by Blackberry doesn't seem to have any service so I won't be updating this as often. Off sightseeing today with Dereks housemate Justine.

After finally arriving in Auckland at 2am and getting to Dereks house, I had a good sleep. Got up in the morning and Dereks housemate Justine was kind enough to offer to take us into town. We went to Mission Bay for lunch and sat outside in the sun enjoying the good weather. Then we headed to town and took the Ferry to Devonport. From there, Emma and I went to the the Sky Tower and then met Derek (who we were staying with) at the Viaduct for dinner. We had a...

So I flew here standby with no problems and yet I have been sitting at the airport now for 3 hours as my flight to Auckland has been delayed indefinitely. Emma has arrived there and Derek has been kind enough to arrange a BBQ for us tonight but who knows if I will get there? I have been told to come back to check in at 3pm but they are unsure of if the plane will be here or not. Happy, happy joy joy! Positive thoughts I get there.

I slept like a baby my first night in Sydney (8 solid hours). I got up and went out to get some coffee then showered and got ready for the day. Vickys sister Theresa came to pick me up and we went to Bondi Beach for lunch. Its funny you hear all about the famous Bondi Beach but its just a beach. Lots of cute surfers but no better then Hermosa or Manhatten beach, I guess I am spoilt having lived in California. We then went back to Theresa's house to pick up her do...