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Location Date New South Wales 1400972400 Queensland 1396137600 New Zealand 
1395273600 -
Location Date Paihia
1395273600 Auckland 1394755200 Rotorua 1394496000 Christchurch 1393804800 Milford Sounds 1393372800 Queenstown 1393372800 Franz Joseph 1392681600 Kaiteriteri 1392595200
We had such a good time in Bay of Islands (once the weather improved). On Sunday we got the ferry over to Russell Island which was quite a quiet, cute little town. Not a huge amount to do there, but we had a nice wander around and had a drink in the oldest pub in New Zealand which has been running since 1827!
In the evening we went to the bar next door to the hostel, where they had the best live entertainment!
In the morning we made our way to Paihia wharf to meet our fishing boat. We had the best morning fishing and even saw some dolphins on the way which was amazing!
Our captain was called Jamie, and he looked after me and Lowri very well by putting the stinky bait on our hooks so we didn't have to touch it... Though we did give it a go once! We caught lots of snapper fish, though most of them were too small and had to be thrown back, but we did catch a couple to keep. Jamie filleted all the fish on the boat, and so he could concentrate on that, he actually asked me and Lowri to drive the boat back which was fun!
When we got back to the wharf, Jamie shared out the fish between the eight of us, and me and Low took ours over to the fish and chip shop to have it cooked. It was very yummy!
We'd then booked to do a boat tour over to the hole in the rock and to do more dolphin spotting. We saw a school of dolphins with tiny little babies too! They were adorable. The hole in the rock was pretty cool... For some reason it's a landmark of Bay of Islands that's very popular with tourists, but it's literally a giant rock with a hole in it. We sure made the most of the sun being back out on Monday!
In the evening we had a few drinks in the hostel bar to celebrate St Patricks Day.
The next day we weren't departing for Auckland until 1:15pm so we had the morning to walk around town and sit by the beach.
We made some cool friends from our dorm room in Paihia... Kenn from Canada, and Felix and Korby from Munich. We all went out in the evening for drinks and some dancing!
The next day me and Lowri got the ferry over to Davenport and found an awesome beach. You could walk out for a mile into the water and still it would only reach your knees (I'm exaggerating about the mile bit, but you could walk quite far).
It was then our last evening in Auckland, and last night with our awesome buddy Rhea, so we went for a drink in the hostel bar with her friend Lewis too, but had an early night as we were all shattered.
New Zealand has been incredible. Words can't describe the sights we have seen, and the experiences we've had. It has exceeded our expectations by such a huge amount.
Currently at the airport so the next chapter will be from.... AUSTRALIAAAA!
- comments
Mum (Judy) Thank goodness you have posted a new blog. My blog addiction is now serious. I was so badly in need of a fix that I had taken to reading the blogs of random strangers on the Off Exploring site. I almost posted a comment on one site - they didn't have ANY comments from ANYONE and that just seemed so sad - but I did resist. Enjoy Australia. Start practising the accent so you fit in. G'd day cobber xxxx
Mum (Judy) PS. Did I read that right - the fish was 'yummy'? Are you finally a convert?
Jess You and your blog addiction are starting to worry me mom, not to mention the pressure it adds to me to post new entries. I might have to shut the blog down for your own sake! Ha! But I'm not that cruel. We do only have two weeks in Oz though so we'll be making the most of it so don't expect updates too regularly. I'm glad you resisted turning into a crazy lady and commenting on strangers blogs. Yes, I think I may be a bit of a convert... With white fish anyway! I even knew that it was a fish that swims in the sea and still ate it! I hope you're proud of me xxx
Mum (Judy) Of course I understand the pressure you are under - only two weeks, huge country and SO MANY vineyards to visit , SO MUCH wine to drink. I hope you can feel the sympathy winging its way to you!!! and very impressed by the fish thing.
Auntie Chris Good blog. Great to hear all the news. Enjoy Oz, both of you. Love from Auntie Chris and Uncle Dave x
Dad Your Nanna's been enjoying your Blog enormously, Jess. We spoke on the 'phone today, and she made a point of saying how well you're writing. Sorry for you that NZ has come to an end, but I expect you'll find just as much to love about Oz, when you get there. There's quite a bit of decent wine there, too - although we never think that the Whites quite match what comes out of NZ. Very impressed by the fish thing. We'll have you eating bouillabaisse in no time at all...
StepDaddy Thingy Hi mate, had any good barbies and tins of cold stuff in Oz yet? Can't wait to see the photos. Oz in two weeks! No way! I can see you staying longer......... Are you doing the 'Gold Coast' ? Oh so jealous! Lots of love from the travelin' Stepdaddy thingy who is as excited as the rest of the family about your adventures. Andy xx