So after nearly 3 weeks of serene beauty, we landed in Brisbane with one heck of a bang, raining, cold, expensive and minus one bag after Qantas decided transporting both our bags really wasn't worth it, we spent a miserable first 24 hours in Oz. Thankfully the bag turned up, as did the weather and after a great night with John's old housemates, Marty and Perry featuring Australia's answer to the premier league (featuring Robbie Fowler, 5 goals and 3 red cards ...

New ZealandSouth IslandOur first stop in the south island after leaving the ferry was the Marlborough wine region. it's an extremely challenging & twisty drive from the ferry terminal to Marlborough with numerous hairpin bends and hill climbs. You are rewarded with beautiful views of Marlborough sounds ("sounds" are kind of inland beaches/coves). Upon arriving in Marlborough, we got lucky by following one of the Lonely Planet recommendations and sta...

Greetings from New Zealand! Firstly sorry to be so tardy writing this, we haven't had as much internet access in New Zealand as we did in the states, anyway...this is what we have been up to down under, so far... New Zealand Part One - The North Island 14 hours and one whole day lost later, we arrived in Auckland, two days after we left LA. Westarted off by picking up our banger of a hire car (14 years old, 180000 miles on the clock!) before heading to Devonpor...