What a superb day we had. We got picked up by coach at our hotel at 7:30 am...still dark outside! We are on our way to the top of New Zealand...the very farthest north you can go! We drove to 90 mile beach where the bus drove 40 miles down the beach! Along the way we stopped and dug for pipis which some ate then and there and others took home to sit overnight in cold water and then steam them and put them in a pasta or salad....I just had fun digging them and giv...

Well today we were both up at 6:30 as normal...still pitch black outside! We decided to do the local towns and have a waterfall hunt and bush walk. First stop was Haruru Falls....then a drive to Kerikeri where we went around the Sunday markets....mostly vegetables and food...and of course the coffee van and live music...all of say 16 stalls! Next stop was The Stone Store built in 1836....lots of neat things in there...all old games, tools, toys, etc. I bought a s...

We slept in till 7:30 for the first time on this vacation! Must have needed it! Up, dressed, read paper and pete and cush came over for coffee and goodbyes...they may come to Canada next year with us! Hope so! Fred and I toured the town, looking in every shop! We had lunch upstairs in a restaurant overlooking bay..lovely! Then we went for what was a coast walk...but when we found it it was high tide and not a nice walk...we thought we found the wrong path...but w...

Well today we leave Auckland and head to bay of islands. So looking forward to having our heads on one bed for 6 nights. Also really looking forward to meeting up with good friends from Sydney, cush and pete! We took the east coast road avoiding freeways..it was very pretty. The brochure said Tutukaka coast was rated as one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world with beautiful beaches, cafes and restaurants...so that was our lunch spot. It was a beautiful ...

Got up and decided to do the hop on hop off bus....great way to see the city without driving! Actually after being in bribie for two years I found the bustle of Auckland a bit much! So hard to believe from someone who lived in Sydney for 35 years! We were told Auckland was voted in the top few cities world wide for the best place to live....it is also the city with more boats per capita than anywhere else in the world! The yacht clubs are huge and there are lots ...