This exact day last year I simultaneously graduated from Univeristy and celebrated my 21st brithday - it was one special day in my life that I will never forget; all my friends and family were with me congratulating me on achieving the two greatest milestones of my life (so far; at that point). And now, just one year on, I am on the other side of the World. I have seen and experienced so much already that I can barely believe there is more to come! I woke on m...

Again, due to essential time wasting, I had to spend one whole week in Wellington. Fortunately, the Mercure rooms were on special and even though I had to endure a week of pot noodle dinners (I was a kettle meal virgin) it was worth the slight extra cost for the television alone. Like much of New Zealand, Wellington didn't have too much on offer. I was tempted by a day trip to Eastbourne but I knew that for $15 it would have been a disappointment, so I opted o...

I almost didn't make it to Auckland as a result of heavy snow clouds over Queenstown but for some reason, the clouds decided to part and show off some blue sky as it was time for my departure! And so, leaving the South Island behind me, I arrived safely in the North Island in Auckland; New Zealand's largest city but the equivalent of a small UK town. First impressions were not too overwhelming which is a shame because, unfortunately, due to necessary time wast...

I arrived in Queenstown as the Annual Winter Festival kicked off.It is not exactly a major event but the organisers have made it out to be so huge that I thought it would be rude not to join in the fun.The opening night was launched with a firework display and an ice-hockey match between Southern Stampede and Dunedin Thunder.It was a close game but Southern Stampede took the win; good job really else all that cheering would have gone to waste.It saddens me to say...

Fortunately, Lake Tekapo to Christchurch is the last Magic Bus journey that I ever have to make in the South Island. Unfortunately, I still have six to go once I get to the North Island. And so, after a lot of rudeness and swearing from the bus driver due to him not having my name on his list (even though I booked two weeks ago), I finally and thankfully, arrived in Christchurch on the day of the big game! I couldn't wait, two months ago I had booked my ticket an...