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...

Arrived in Napier from Taupo after a 2h bus journey arriving at the Albatross Motel which was fine, which was just as well as it was the only bed left in town because of the cricket starting the next day. It was a 40 minute walk to the ground which started pleasantly enough with very attractive harbours but then became dull along industrial then residential areas. Like Hamilton its not somewhere you would want to go for long without a specific reason. The decidi...

After a 6h bus journey which was very quiet following last night, I was dropped off at the Barmy Army's hotel and the Lynford Budget Motel manager picked me up for free. Turned out to be a great place to stay - near the beautiful blue lake, clean, spacious and a much needed laundrette. I walked straight into town, having a bowl in the cricket net along the way, and booked two trips including........could hardly beleive I was doing it myself......a 15000ft tandem ...