Hello one and all!

Well I'm now on my tod! Eek! I won't fill you in on the last of China and Hong Kong as Dave has kindly done that already :) (Read it at www.statravelblogs.com/stereophilia)

So After our teary good-bye Dave and I went on to our separate journey's, mine starting with me leaving my digital SLR at the boarding gate!!! Thankfully the flight attendant brought it to me ont he plane as my name was in there! I could have shot myself! Anyway, I arrived in Auckland and wandered around the bay trying to find my bearings. It was strange, and still is, getting use to the Western lifestyle again and also the warm, humid weather. Strappy tops, shorts and jangles galore :)

The following day I made my way up to Goat Island Marine Reserve where I boarded a glass bottom boat and caught my first view of the underwater world. The day finished in Paihia in the Bay of Islands having a mamouth BBQ with a free beer, which I managed to gulp down...it was free afterall and I needed a drink!

I rose late the following morning and got back on the bus to reach Whangarei, where I am currently staying. I've found a great little backpacker/camping place right by the Whangarei Falls. I spent today rising early to board a boat that took me and a group of others out to Poor Knights Island for snorkelling. Unfortunately it was pretty choppy so I spent most my time trying no to throw up! Despite the seasickness, I managed to snorkel at both of the sites we stopped at. Although it was no Great Barrier Reef it was still brilliant to be surrounded by so many fish, sponges and other marine life. We even spotted whales and had dolphines jumping out of the water right by the boat. Amazing!

I'm now taking the time to chill out having just done some impromtu babysitting, which has pretty much paid for my night's accommodation. Sweet as!

I'm back to Auckland tomorrow before starting my journey with the Kiwi Experience buses and all they have to bring with them. Not sure about it yet, but I'm sure it'll be great and it'll be nice to feel like I'm really starting my New Zealand adventure.

As always, love you everyone, miss you loads and if anyone wants to come out and meet me somewhere in New Zealand then what's stopping you?!

Isey
xxx