This was our day to explore Wellington, the seat of government as well as the unofficial cultural centre of the country.Right after breakfast, we took a walking tour with Auto who got us oriented in the city. He gave us suggestions of things to do and then we went our separate ways. We saw the "Beehive" which is part of the Parliament buildings and just got familiar with the city. Vic, Beth and I decided to hike up Mount Victoria to take in the sweeping views of...

This was a travel day. Before embarking on our marathon bus ride to Wellington, we went back to the dark side of the moon and visited some bubbling mud pits. The mud is actually acid sulphate. Then we visited the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland in Rotorua. No it isn't an amusement park, although you would think so from the name. This geothermal area sits over an active volcano with bubbling mud pits, spurting geysers, steaming and multi-coloured springs in di...

We woke up to a bright, sunny day and left Hahei to go to Rotorua. I could have just left my camera clicking the whole way. The scenery is breathtaking. It's hard to take it all in. It's like what I imagine being in heaven would be like. Good thing I'm experiencing it while I'm still alive!!! I'm sure there are other places in the world where I would feel this way but I may never see them the way Auto is driving these steep windy roads! Yike...

Kia ora (hello in Maori)! Brekkie was included today and we ate with the 2 guys from the U.S. They are interesting fellows. We left for the stunning Coromandel Peninsula at 8:00 am. It just into the Pacific east of Auckland and forms the eastern edge of the Hauraki Gulf. Along the way Auto entertained us with Maori legends and briefed us on all the things that can go wrong - earthquakes and tsunamis!!! He assures us g Adventures are constantly watching the wea...

A day to explore Auckland until 6:30 pm when we had our tour meeting. We got a later checkout so decided to walk downtown along the waterfront to take in some sights. It was muggy as hell and we were both sopped when we got back to the hotel. We then took a cab to our g Adventures hotel. OMG!!! It's a f*c*ing hostel!!! So, we went from a 4* hotel to a 1*. Again, my attitude is "it is what it is". I gotta say though I'm very disappointed in some of g A...