So we're happy to report that we were totally wrong about the weather in the South Island. Although apparently we have hit more freak weather - but this time an unseasonably warm winter, so we're not complaining at all. The sun managed to pull some great days out of the bag, not least the two we spent walking, sorry 'tramping' the Abel Tasman Track - fantastic beaches and sea views. We did most of the track through two days of hard 15 miles walking, but we man...

Kia Ora! We've finally chucked in the hectic travelling schedule and been fairly sedentary over the last couple of weeks, spending 4 days in stinky Rotorua and a luxurious week in the apartment in Taupo. Still we've been trying to make up for it by eating lots of fab food - we're planning a barbeque/hot tub evening tonight, and taking in as many of the more adventurous activities on offer as we can afford/cram into the spells of good weather (or not - ...

Hello all Just a quick one here from Fiji. Made it to Mana Island and our first proper taste of backpacking life after vaning it though the states. Lots of youngsters around all mad for getting pissed - makes us feel a bit old to be honest but we join in as best we can until it gets passed our bedtime. Mana is cool. Sea is amazingly warm, snorkling from the island is great and the people are pretty laid back. Main reason for being here though is the div...

Howdy folks Been in New Zealand for a week or so now. Heard the news about the bombings whilst in the nay of islands. Sounded pretty nightmarish but I guess not entirely unexpected. Things have been fairly relaxed over here. The Lions are officially rubbish but have made it back down to Auckland to join the barmy army in revelling in our undoubted defeat. Spent a few days in the northlands (north of Auckland) where is has been mostly raining. Was p...