Today went to see my great aunt Betty udy. It was quite amazing to see her and her husband Albert (Bert). Talked about the family history on her side in how she emigrated to New Zealand in 1951, travelling by boat which left London for Wellington. A couple of months later docked in Wellington harbour, and then simply crossed the road to take the train up to Auckland. Back then it probably took about a day by train. Also talked about the Melville's in Brisbane, ho...

Met up with some other backpackers at the hostel, who come from all over Europe, Australia, America, South America, Asia; also spoke to a women who had just arrived at the hostel, from travelling around Australia for 4 months. She is travelling around NZ for 1 month before heading back to Australia to work for a further 4 - 6 months to subsidies her travelling further, for up to a year. Depending on her funds she hopes to be back home by February next year which...

Didn't really do anything yesterday (20th) due it raining constantly all day apart from when the sun broke out late afternoon.

Update Also Barbara has a brother David who's wife is UK born but who is also a New Zealander if that makes any sense. They stay down in Wellington which I will be travelling into before heading onto the South island. Hopefully I can make a good impression there also. Cheers

Today moved into my hostel accommodation (city garden lodge, Parnell road, st George bay road) and also phoned my Great (i think?) Aunt Betty, which I was very nervous about to be honest!! It is not very often you go and speak to relatives on the other side of the planet for the first time. The conversation went well and I got invited to have dinner with her daughter Barbara and her two adult children, (2nd cousins). I got picked up from my hostel accommodation b...