I arrived in chilly New York early evening on Tuesday 29th April and got a shuttle bus to Hostelling International way up on 103rd street. Decent place - my 6-bed dorm was full and friendly - there was a fella from Dublin I got on well with in the bunk below me, an Italian cyclist, and an Algerian guy who prayed a lot, including 5am in the morning! The area wasn't the best, I ate at a chinese place on my first night after walking past a couple of dingy pizza plac...

The flight from Rarotonga seemed long, over nine hours leaving at midnight so after no sleep I got to Los Angeles airport at lunchtime and then hopped on a shuttle bus to Anaheim. I've been to LA before and had no desire to return. The rest of the afternoon I walked about doing mundane stuff then the next day I enjoyed all the usual fun at Disneyland. My room was only a 15 minute walk and in glorious warm sunshine I spent the day on heaps of rides - Indianna Jon...

After a long, dull day in Auckland I arrived feeling very tired at Rarotonga airport to be greeted by a Ukalele player at 3.45am on 16th April, a crying child had been such a joy on the flight..... Having been up for 24 hours I crashed out as soon as I saw my bed. I spent the first day (and a few others) relaxing by the pool with my ipod going again except when it decided to have a day off for some reason and had several books to enjoy. It was slightly crampt at...

After a long day mainly just hanging around Auckland I got to Nadi early evening on the 2nd and booked into the plush Novotel for a few nights. A bit pricey despite an internet bargain but with transfers, massive breakfasts and golf on Vijay Singh's old 9 hole course all free not that bad a deal. My ears had been giving me some grief and that and a headache had made me feel a bit fed up so I thought a bit of comfort was in need. I made a doctors appointment, got ...

Had an early start from Napier for the 8 hour cramped bus journey to Auckland, a long trip not helped by the worlds grumpiest driver and arrived at the very budget but very central Formula1 hotel. The following morning I had a 1.5h harbour cruise which was fine but didnt see anything that I wouldnt have on the cheaper ferry trips, but did meet a few people on the boat. The Davenport ferry was included in the cost of the cruise, so went there in the afternoon a...