Well, I've had some sleep and now it is 10pm on my second day in wonderful New Zealand. Loving it already and feel very at home here.

Leaving Hong Kong was weird. We felt like we'd just had a cool holiday and would be coming home with some wonderful memories. But no! We got on the plane and went another 6000 miles further round the world! The plane was newer this time and I had a window seat. Yay! I watched Shrek 2, Van Helsing and Kill Bill 2. The routine was the same with dinner and the blinds drawn but I still didn't get any sleep. The temptation to keep the blind up and watch what was going on below was too much to resist despite the fact that I kept getting told off by the flight attendant.

The moon was big and beautiful as we approached the Australian coast and as we drifted over it the moon turned pink and set beyond the horizon (guess which song was on the iPod at this point Sare!?). The sun came up as we floated across the top right-hand corner of Australia and over the Barrier Reef. Then more sea - forever! Nothing to be seen!

My eyes were glued down there for hours, waiting for the first glimpse of the NewZ coastline and finally there it was - rugged and beautiful. I felt moved to arrive. HOURS worth of queuing at the airport but interpersed with 'no worries' type apologies for the wait over the tannoy.

The coach picked us up (driver called Dodgy!) and we detoured over Mount Eden (the largest of Auckland's 50 odd extinct volcanoes). So we settled into our Backpackers (hostel) and felt lucky that we the only ones in our group in a room with natural light! Not much room but the bed is so comfy and there's a fridge. I love to see all the other people milling around and learning about the etiquette as I am. The kitchen is totally out of bounds to an Anal Annie like me - washing up piled high and food detritus all over the floor! Hell on earth!

We've eaten out and shopped and open bank accounts and got tax numbers and bought SIM cards and done our washing and all feel right at home. Even had a drink last night at the adjacent bar but thought it was time for bed when they announced the "Mangina Contest" (use your imagination here please). Gonna put the photos on now - finally! x