Wow so I'm now in Auckland - New Zealand! Lost a day of my life getting here tho beacause of the time difference - how does that work?. Tom was waiting for me at the airport, it was an emotional reunion and really strange, we had so much to catch up on that we didnt know where to start. We just walked and talked and walked and talked. I was in a complete daze, just trying to take everything in. First thing I needed to grasp was the language. Quite a few people got a gracias from me that day instead of a thankyou. It took a little while to adjust back into western civilisation, particularly the prices...ouch! But the order and regulations etc.

Auckland has a bizare layout. They call this city the city of sails as there are so many boats and harbours scattered around. There are also a number of volcanoes pushing their heads up randomly through the houses. There are a few high rise buildings in the very centre of the city but generally the area consists of pretty little bungalows and trees, not very city-like at all, but still to the Kiwis this is known as the 'big smoke'! the main feature of the Skyline has to be the sky tower - the tallest in the southern hemisphere. we took the glass floored lift to the top to get a great panoramic view of the city.

On the third day here we got our first taster of the Kiwi experience by taking a free day trip around the city with them. We had a lovely friendly driver, who was an absolute nut! The trip ws so laid back. We just kept stopping off at beaches for a swim or to throw the rugby ball or to grab a bite to eat. We got to climb along the underneath of the harbour bridge on a grating, with the water below us and the cars above. Not the most attractive bridge but it gave us some excellent views of the cities skyline. I cant wait to get out of Auckland tomorrow and start seeing some of this country.