Our next big adventure.... Two years off work and backpacking the world!!!

I have finally done the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. It has taken three times staying at Snowy Water Lodge to finally make the crossing. We have been here since Sunday 21st working at the lodge. The first two days the crossing was closed due to bad weather and has been open since Tuesday. I was asked on Friday morning if I wanted to make the crossing on Saturday. There wasn’t going to be many guests that night and I wasn’t really required. Sharon was concerned she would not make the distance and declined to go. Steve the managers husband said he would go with me to do the crossing. At first, I thought he was just kidding around again but he was serious this time. Saturday morning woke up to heavy fog and thunderstorms forecasted for the afternoon. The crossing was still going to be opened. Steve and I jumped on the shuttle bus at 6.50am. The bus picked up a lot more passengers on the way and finally started the crossing at 8.15am. To discourage people driving their cars to the sta...

Our third day in Paihia being Friday we were going to walk to Haruru Falls about a 3-hour return trip. With the previous days hot walking venture decided to go a cooler way and hired a double kayak to take us up the Waitangi River. I had to sit in the front of the kayak because Sharon thought I wouldn’t paddle like last time, this way she could keep an eye on me. Also, I’m useless at steering according to Sharon. So, with Sharon in the rear of the kayak steering, we zig zagged our way up the river (Smart Arse). It took 45mins to reach Haruru Falls and we took the kayak up nice and close for a photo opportunity. We beached the kayak in the mud flats and went for a swim up to the falls. ¾ of the way there we realised we weren’t moving forward because of the current. We poured on the power and closer we got. On the way back took our time to just drift past in the kayak looking at some Shag nests up in the trees that had little chicks poking out their heads. Saturday night we were bac...

Left Raetihi on Saturday. The crossing was still closed. Back on another Stray bus with our driver Skippy then Motors joined us later. We arrived in Auckland 5.00pm with a 500m walk to our accommodation. Doesn’t sound far but it was all uphill. By the time we arrived we were both lathered in sweat. We couldn’t get on the Stray bus the following day to head north to the Bay of Islands so had to spend 3 nights in Auckland. Stray guarantee a booking the first night in Auckland for your accommodation but not the rest of the time you are staying. Being peak time Sharon booked in Raetihi before we arrived. We looked at the backpackers for a double room, but prices were high just for a room with shared facilities. Went onto hotels.com and found a serviced apartment in the CBD $20 a night cheaper than backpackers. We have a King bed, washing machine, dryer includes washing powder, kitchen, TV, towels and balcony with a view. It was even better priced than the Airbnb we were in when we firs...

I was asked the other day by a good friend of mine on recommendations on how to travel around New Zealand and the best places to see. I have been thinking about it and this is what I would do if I had limited time in New Zealand. If you are not interested don’t read any further. If you have been reading our bloggs you would have read quite a few different ways we have travelled. My suggestion is to fly into Auckland catch a train down to Wellington it is only a day trip. This will give you an idea of the North Island landscape and a laid-back way of travelling. From Wellington catch a ferry to South Island. There are two ferry companies to choose from and both end in Picton. Once in Picton you can hire a car to travel around South Island. We look out for companies that hire older cars they tend to be quite a lot cheaper. We also take out extra insurance to cover everything. But compare the prices of insurance also it varies hugely. I have spoken to a few people who have h...

Saturday, we were back in Wellington CBD, our last day before Jason heads back to Perth. Part of his Christmas present was taking him to Weta Cave Workshop. If you are interested in the prop side of TV and movies this is a worthwhile tour. Weta started in 1986 by Richard Taylor and Tania Rodger and of course has grown in to a world class design and manufacturing studio. I enjoyed the prop making tour but thoroughly loved the miniature set of the new Thunderbirds series. After this Jason wanted beer so we went to the Welsh Dragon back in the CBD. I saw this pub on the way to Weta Cave it intrigued me. It had been built in the middle of the road and was unusual design. Found the plans for the building inside the pub and discovered it was built in 1927 as a public toilet. New years eve we just stayed at the housesitting house sipping champagne in their spa listening to the Tui’s and possibly a Kiwi (bird) with occasional fireworks going off around us. On January 2 nd our h...