Friday 9th Sept - Arrived in Auckland on our Stray Bus a whole 12 hours after leaving Wellington. Arrived into the middle of the city into something that looked like Rag week for the whole of Ireland. Great craic though-atmosphere was amazing for the Opening Night of the Rugby World Cup. Went down to the Viaduct to watch the fireworks. NZ were playing Tonga. Note - Tonga is not on my "to visit" list - very scary individuals indeed. Met my first "beauty and grace" (hottie) of the trip so far. Irish no less - has girlfriend. Unfortunate. Went to an Irish pub "The Munster Inn". Really good night out, met up MaireAine and Helen - early start the next day was not going to be fun.
Saturday 10th Sept - Off we went to Paihia. This is near the very tip of the North Island in the Bay of Islands. This place was fabulous, as part of the trip we went on an amazing cruise around the bay of islands. This is somewhere I could live, most expensive accomodation in New Zealand at $15000 a night! Marie has been hired by Bord Failte New Zealand for the lovely picture she takes.
(Keep an eye out for an album on Facebook for her ad photos coming soon!).
Sunday 11th Sept - The usual ridiculously early start. Off to Cape Reinga - the most northerly tip of New Zealand. As with most places in New Zealand - this place was breathtaking. Its where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean. Very cool. Then we went off Sand Boarding - I was slightly hesitant (understatement), but this was class. Once was enough though - small bit on the scary side.Then it was back to the Pipi Patch (our flash-packing accomodation) to watch the Irish Game. Wooohoo - go Ireland.
Monday 12th Sept - Lie in!! This is massive for us - and having our own bathroom. Loving the Pipi Patch. Nice ole lazy morning around Paihia and then we headed back to the big shmoke (Auckland) in the afternoon. We stopped off at a bird hospital (Katie you would have died!) on the way back. We met a kiwi bird - awful cute altogether. Then back the Base Auckland for the night. Irish team were in Auckland....hold us back!!! All of us put the effort in getting ready for our night out *just in case we would meet some of the Irish team! And we did! Met up with Sean and Isaac in an Irish Bar. Photos to follow. I promise.
Sean has told Tommy Bowe that Im a small bit in love with him. Dunedin is going to be awkward. Oh well - he will look pretty in a profiler if nothing else! Back to base for a few hours sleep. Dont remember actually even getting sleep and dont start me on the top bunk challenge after a few drinks. There is a reason bunk beds are normally used by children!!! Awkward as hell. Then up at stupid o'clock for the Stray Bus to Raglan.
Tuesday 13th Sept afternoon - Arrived in Raglan - a really cool surfer town. We were staying in a lodge called Kaoiri Lodge. Very nice and in the middle of nowhere. I chose to sleep my hangover off instead of bush-walks or surfing! Then it was off to the Sauna to Bake and detox. We had a massive BBQ and really got to know our other stray mates. In particular the rest of our Irish Posse - Lorraine, Gemma, Michelle and Denise. Late night. Early Start. These early starts are not getting any easier AT ALL.
Wednesday 14th Sept - Raglan to Maketu. We made our way to Waitomo Caves. I am so not the "extreme sport" type of gal - but cos everyone was being adventurous I decided to jump on the bandwagon.The rest of our gang did abseling in the caves. About 20 of us did the "tumu tumu toobing" - this involved caving. Through pitch black and very tiny holes in the cave. Scary.co.nz. At one point in the cave there was only an inch of space between the top of the cave and the water level. 4 hours of serious adventure - it was a lot of fun, but very scary Im not gonna lie! Not the "lazy river" I thought it was gonna be!
After our adventures we made our way to Maketu - a Maori Village. We stayed in the Marae that night - to learn all about Maori culture. The lads learned the Haka (apparently girls are not allowed do it :( ) we learned the girl version!!
Then it was time for our massive sleepover! All 30 of us sleeping in the "Marae" - their local dance hall. Great Craic - brought me way way back to my girl guiding days. PS - has anyone else noticed I am totally getting used to roughing it...And I am not moaning at all!
Thursday 15th September - Had a small lie in - 8am start to head to Taupo. On the way we went through Rotorua and tried our hand at Zorbing. Best fun ever. Picture - me and AnneMarie in a massive inflatable ball. Then add soap and water. Closest thing to feeling like I was in a washing machine. Then roll down a hill at some speed! Rotorua has a lot of geo-thermal activity, so lots of hot pools and mud pools. We stopped in a natural hot spring stream. In we went - bikini clad into a mucky stream, it was roasters.
Picture the boggy creek in the movie Shrek, something like that!
Tonight our accomodation was the Urban Retreat. Vera posh hostel indeed. Decided to visit the local gym...the Irish team are training there in a few days. Small world! Couple of $3 dollar vinos and off to the Irish Bar. Didnt imagine the hangover would be as bad. But wine out of a carton couldnt be good for you.
Friday 16th September - all of us headed off to Blue Duck Lodge. This place is tucked away in the New Zealand Bush. 2nd Day in 3 days with no phone coverage. Its very cool though - very removed from all techonology! It is a eco-farm type place. Accomodation was lovely and we went "tramping" for three hours. Tramping - is hiking btw ;) . Watched the NZ versus Japan game...all us Irish were supporting the underdog...little good it did them! We are all getting very psyched for the Irish Game tomorrow
Saturday 17th September - All packed up and off to Tongariro National Park. Still in middle of nowhere - this place has phone and internet connectivity tho! Chilling out for the day in front of the fire (weather still baltic) - and we are all getting ready for the game tonight. AAAhhhhhhh very exciting.
Well My Eldest Daughter; by the looks of them there photo's, you may have finally found an alternative destination for our holidays! Looks just wow! In your immortal words, i'm very 'jeal'. Keep havin fun....
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