Auckland has many similarities with Sydney. A huge harbour that is criss crossed continually with ferries, a commercial port right on the city's edge, a naval dockyard, streets that head in random directions, 19th century architecture and a skyline that is dominated by an imposing communications tower. None of which is a bad thing. My Airbnb is in Queen St, which is the heart of the city and therefore a great place from which to head out. Like most large cit...

The Coromandel Peninsula is a narrow peninsula with a mountain range running down the middle. Whangamata, where I'm housesitting, is on the east side and has been voted as having the best beach in NZ. From my perspective it is certainly a pleasant change to be able to stroll along the sand in the middle of June. The weather here is so different to what I have experienced the last 2 weeks, it's hard to believe I am in the same country. And I have graduated fro...

Well it's time to head further north. I have a housesit in Kaikohe which is about 240kms north of Auckland, near the Bay of Islands. It's a very miserable day and therefore not much to see out of the bus window. It's also the Queens Birthday long weekend and as a result the bus is fairly full. But by the time of the last leg from Kawakawa to Kaikohe I'm the only passenger left. Obviously Kaikohe is not a "must visit" sort of town. My housesit is more like ...

Well I was hoping that as I headed north that the weather would be "nicer". It is, but it depends on what time of the day you look out the window. On the upside I have done plenty of reading and having a warming wood fire at night is rather homely. This housesit has also provide me with a first - an earthquake evacuation kit. I haven't been through it in detail but it mainly seems to be about the dogs - food, medication that sort of thing. I think there's a f...

Wellington is renowned for its blustery, cold and grey weather. I suppose I can count myself fortunate that the wind wasn't there but the rain and the coolness certainly were. But I just followed the local custom - put on a rain jacket or pop an umbrella and get on with life! I catch the local bus into the city and experience something that I will do so each time I catch a bus in Wellington. As people get off they make a point of thanking the driver, even when...