Travels in New Zealand are almost over. I think that I am in love with this beautiful land. Made the 3 hour ferry crossing from the South to North Island, staying a few nights in Wellington, the capitol city (undeserved in my opinion!). This past week I have made my way up through the centre of the North Island, stopping at Taupo and Rotorua, reaching Cape Reinga; the tip of New Zealand. In Rotorua I went to the local firing range and shot a few rounds on...

Spent two nights in Wanaka with three other girls from the bus. We did a nice long hike up Iron mountain and around the lake before enjoying an evening meal together. On one of the evenings we checked out the local cinema. A quirky little joint where you sit on sofa's and where they serve homebaked cookies and snacks during the interval. On the bus route out of Wanaka we stopped at Puzzle world. Lots of great optical illusions and puzzles to solve. Spent...

Arrived in New Zealand on the 4th Jan and spent three days in Christchurch, bunking at a hostel that was once a jail up until the 1900's. Hopefully this will be my first and only stay in the big house! Spent the first day in Christchurch with Norman, a German guy I met at the hostel. We walked into the CBD to view the damage caused by the earthquake. This area remains fenced off from the public. It was quite shocking to see half a building with its inne...

Arrived back in Sydney wednesday evening after a mammoth train journey. Got up early Thursday and Friday to make use of my discount tourist card (I-venture). With this I had a two hour 'Sydney sights' walking tour. We ventured through Circular Quay, the Rocks, past the old government houses and finally through the Royal Botanical Gardens, where, ironically the most treasured item is not a plant but infact a book. The Rocks is the oldest pa...

Took the greyhound from Airlie beach to the city of Townsville. A nice marina city where you can easily access Magnetic Island via ferry. Ticked off another OZ task; try Barrimundi fish. Nice, tastes much like any white fish; cod or haddock. Between Townsville and Cairns I stayed one night at Mission beach. Beautiful, quiet place. Not much to do here but laze on the coconut tree beach, or, work on the fruit farms but I hear this isnt half as fun as the...