I was warned before coming to Wellington that it was windy. I thought nothing more of it, even onboard my Interislander boat, but once I had arrived in this, one of the southermost capital cities in the world, I knew they were right. Welcome to windy Wellington! Exposed to the Antarctic drift and unsheltered Read more about Windy Wellington: Blown Away By New Zealand’s Capital City![…]
Every time I think of happiness, my short time in New Zealand always comes to mind. I didn’t see a lot of New Zealand in my 14 days there in 2007, but I did a lot, and I didn’t get much sleep, in order to make the most of it. Apart from Sky Diving, Bungy Read more about Backpacking in New Zealand: An Hour In Huntly[…]
Its the last day of June 2008, and this time last year I was embarking on a 19 country world tour. During the first month, I found myself in New Zealand and in its capital city of Auckland. It is hard to believe that almost 12 months ago I jumped off Auckland harbour bridge one Read more about Backpacking in New Zealand: Jumping off Auckland Harbour Bridge[…]
“Hey you, up in the sky, learning to fly. Tell me how high will you go before you start falling” – Noel Gallagher. It was never an ambition to do a Sky Dive. It was too scary for me. Imagine jumping out of a plane from thousands of feet up in the air and relying Read more about “That’s me, Up In The Sky”: Sky Diving🪂Over Lake Taupo, New Zealand🇳🇿[…]
While in Los Angeles, USA on my round the world trip in 2007, I met a young Irish lady from Donegal, Emma McDaid. We enjoyed a very short evening of drinks and chat in the Venice Beach Cotel Hostel the night before my 14 hour flight to New Zealand. As it happened, Emma had just Read more about Zorbing in Rotorua, North Island, New Zealand[…]
The bus journey from Rotorua to Lake Taupo passed by really fast, again fab countryside. I think it took about an hour. I also love the way in New Zealand ordinary bus drivers just talk away to you. In England they can be very rude and ignorant! Before I left Rotorua, I had a quick Read more about I Left my Dreams in Taupo, New Zealand[…]
After the madness of Rotorua and Lake Taupo, I decided to stay in Hamilton, which is a bigger city, and less touristy. It was an ideal place to relax, chill out and meet some cool people. I stayed in J’s Hostel near Hamilton Gardens, with two decent pubs nearby. Beck from J’s Hostel even picked Read more about Backpacking in New Zealand: Relaxing in Hamilton, North Island[…]
I decided I should head south of Auckland and explore some more of the North Island. Obviously in the short time I was spending in New Zealand, it would be hard to see both islands, so I decided pretty swiftly I would leave the South Island out and do a mini tour of the North Read more about Backpacking in New Zealand: Is this the way to Rotorua?[…]