Fiji finished...then NEW ZEALAND!

After our 7 day excursion to the Yasawa islands, we headed back to the mainland & chilled for a couple of days at a Nadi resort hostel - which is basically a dorm bed at a proper resort. Expensive, but very nice! Whislt there we were treated to some traditional Fijian fire dancing displays...

We also met up with a lovely German couple, Graham & Evie, who we had met on one of the Yasawa islands. It was great to catch up with them again

We left Nadi to head north to Lautoka - where we hoped to meet up with one of Smally's work colleagues, whilst also catching some Rugby. We were unlucky on both accounts, Smalls could not get hold of his friend & we were literally days late for the Rugby - as the season had just finished with 7's internationals. We didn't like Lautoka much, as it was pretty desolate. Nothing interesting to do, so we caught the bus back to Nadi the following day & changed our flights for NZ. We decided we had done all we wanted to do in Fiji, so we wanted a few additional days in NZ. We were also getting a bit fed up with "Fiji time" - which is the response/excuse given for lateness or lack of schedule...the country really is that laid back!

We arrived in Auckland & immediately checked into a downtown hostel in Auckland. After which we went on the hunt for a good car rental deal. After a couple of hours we had bartered a bargain rental, & were in the pub enjoying a cold beer (congratulating ourselves on our success!). This was the first of many beers over the next two days, as all we really did in Auckland was drink with other back packers - as the city is heaving with them! Excellent fun

We collected our car (once we had sobered up, of course), & headed off North of Auckland - destined for the Bay of Islands. Along the way we stopped off at many locations to soak up some of the beautiful scenery that NZ has to offer; including Whangerei falls (the most photographed water fall in all of NZ, apparently)

Also along the way we stopped off at "Sheep World" - it is not difficult to see why...I had never seen a luminous pink sheep before! Have you???

We spent one full day in the Bay of Islands on a 65ft yacht, called "Gungha II." The scenery continued to amaze us as we sailed out to see amongst the some 140 odd islands they have off of NZ's NE coastline. Whilst sailing along we were treated to some company from the local bottlenose Dolphins, who loved to swim alongside the yacht.

When we stopped in one of the island bays for lunch there was time for a walk up the mountain, some snorkelling, & some diving off of the front of the yacht...great fun!

Whilst sailing back, I couldn't resist..."I am king of the World!!!" ;-)

We both had a go at some sailing (aka - pulling ropes, winding cranks & folding sails) during the day, & thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience. There were some lovely people on board too, which made the day that much better. Our Canadian captain was a character too!
That evening we drove to Whangerei, still stopping occasionally to appreciate the views...

Now THAT is an impressive sunset piccy!!! ;-)

On our way from Whangerei to Hamilton, we stopped off to go hobbit spotting:

It was really interesting to see the site where Hobbiton was created for the films, especially Bag End (in which I am crouched) & the party tree. The whole site has been stripped down, as the film studio would not let the farmers keep the land as it was in the movies. It is a shame, although only a small amount of imagination is required to picture yourself walking around the Shire :-)

After our hobbit experience we drove inland to Hamilton, where we to visit to Zoo. We had heard it was good, & it was cheap, so it had to be done! Unfortunately we were visiting on a very hot day, so most of the animals were shading themselves - leaving little to see (including the Tigers & Cheetahs...gutted). It was still a nice little Zoo

That night we arrived in Rotorua, which is notable not only for it's stunning scenery (as is most of NZ), but also for its large Sulphur works...anyone like the smell of rotten egg? If so, this is the place for you! Apart from the smell, it is another clean & attractive Kiwi city. We are both beginning to wonder if this place has anything bad to offer?!? We had travelled to Rotorua with one activity in mind...White Water Rafting!!
Our rafting included many rapids, plus a 1m, a 2.5m & a 7m waterfall! 7m is the biggest commercially used waterfall in the world. It was a LOT of fun & we would both do it again & again. Luckily ours was the only raft to capsize (after having been fully submerged) when going over the 7m fall - sending Smalls & one Irish girl off down river, whilst I somehow managed to hang on. The pictures tell their own story...

(Smalls is the helmet at the bottom of the picture)
At the end of the rafting we got the opportunity to play about in a eddie on a rapid, which we were all very keen to do! We went back again & again until we were told the fun was up. An excellent morning's fun! :-)

After our morning of Rafting it was time to move on, rapidly again, to our next destination; Taupo. Taupo is based by a very large lake, & beside some incredible mountains (which were also used for Lord of the Rings). We wanted to hike across the mountain pass, as Gandalf & co. did, but the bad weather closed the track & prevented us. Maybe next time.
We did manage find a FREE campsite, located very close to the Huka Falls, which was thanks to a hint from our German friends (Graham & Evie) who were both there too! That evening we had campfire out on the rocks by the river & caught up, it was very enjoyable indeed! What a location to make a campfire, eh? Brilliant.

Our lovely Tent, nicknamed "Davina," with "Annabelle" our hire car, at the Huka Falls free campsite.

The following day Graham & Evie came along with us to watch Smalls & I throw ourselves off a platform, with an elastic band tied to our ankles, located 47m above the Huka river. It was Smalls' first bungee experience, which he thoroughly enjoyed. I thought the setting, & jumping face first, made this time more enjoyable than my last - which was jumping from a crane over the smelly Thames (I also knew what to expect, so was able to take the experience in fully). Graham kindly recorded both of our jumps on my camera, although unfortunately I cannot share that with you via this Blog. There will be a lucky few who get to see them upon our return to the UK. You can appreciate the activity from the fantastic photo below...

After saying our goodbyes to Graham & Evie over Sushi, Smalls & I went to enjoy some mini golf (which the "pro golfer" Smalls won, of course!), then we headed for the lava fields - aka, the "Moon Craters." It is clear to see why this area has such a name, we were only a little surprised at the amount of vegetation that was thriving there! We were lucky enough to see a mini erruption in the Mud pools, & there were plenty of lava craters to enjoy (although we decided not to get too close)

So far New Zealand has blown us both away, & we have only been here a week. Many people have told us that the South Island is even more impressive, if that could be possible I am eagerly anticipating seeing it! We still have many other activities planned before heading south, so there will be more photostacked blogs for all to enjoy...I just wish more of you could appreciate this place first hand! It truly is awesome.

Fiji finished...then NEW ZEALAND!

Auckland, New Zealand