The Coromandel region is next on our itinerary and the town of Kuaotunu right at the top. Its a very long drive from Rotorua and another twisty twirvy road. The hostel we're staying at is called Black Jack Lodge and is perfectly located just 1 minute from the beach. Its a really nice beach and our first evening is spent admiring the sunset and taking silly photos in the shadow of the sun!Sam, luckily, had an early night which gave us the chance to wrap all of her...

The ferry crossing from south to north was fairly smooth and lasted about 3hrs and we fuond our Wellington accommodation easily enough. The hostels in Wellington aren't nearly as highly rated as anywhere else in New Zealand but we booked the highest on the list. The location is pretty good - not in the centre of town but within easy walking distance - but thats where the positives end. The staff were so rude and didn't take to us from the start. The hostel itsel...

As soon as we'd seen Alan off we were straight onto organising our next leg. First stop was Akaroa - the penninsular just east of Christchurch - where we plan to swim with the dolphins! The hostel is more of a farm with guests but its great. Our room is in a barn house conversion and we're up the rickety wooden steps in the loft! We share our kitchen with just two others which is excellent! We book straight onto the morning dolphin tour and get up at 7:00am. It...

In the middle of the summer, the last thing you expect to see is snow. But thats precisely what we woke up to the day we left Wanaka. It wasn't on the ground by us but the mountains in the distance had a clear fresh covering caused by the high altitude rain! A very strange but attractive sight.It was a 76km drive to Queenstown from Wanaka but it was a super little drive through the mountains then down a very steep hill to Queenstown. We got to our hostel which wa...

Sam left her extra layer of skin (her cardigan) at the hostel in Oamaru but we rang up to ask if it was possible to retrieve it and the next day it got dropped off at our hostel for us! Great service!! So... we're in Christchurch for the 2nd time. Alans due in at the airport anytime soon but first we take Mickey to the guy who we bought him from and he suggests taking him up a hill and, if he blows, he will let his mechanics take a look for us. While we're chatt...