happy medium

We did this after visting Cape Reinga, at the very top of New Zealand, where we witnessed the meeting point of the Pacific ocean and Tasman sea. A combination of sand and an overheating in-car battery charger killed my camera, but luckly Dad had brought out Alex’s identical one. However, it means I’m now without a camera for the next few weeks (maybe months) until I can afford a replacement. Still, the sand tobogganing was worth it!

Had three earthquakes last night, all of them above 3.5 on the the Richter scale, which is unusual for Auckland. Wellington had a 4.1, but they’re common as muck down there, but here it hits the news. A 3.7 at 8.24pm, the biggest 4.5 at 9pm, and a 3.8 at 11.23pm. Felt the 9pm one, bed started shaking exorcist style.

Kept an eye out for any erupting volcanoes, but nothing. Image taken from, and more info at NZ Herald

Here’s a teaser of some of the sights we witnessed over both Islands. One Country…

Well that’s it, back to Auckland with a bump. Dad’s on his way back to the UK now, saying goodbye at the airport was very hard. Matt had come to the rescue though, giving us lift there, and grabing a pint with me after dad leaving.

These 3 weeks have been the best in my life, I can’t believe how much we’ve seen and done. We’ve travelled about 4000 Kilometres, NZ top to bottom. Have been on golden beaches, up mountains, below glaciers, down rapids, over sand dunes, through rainforest, flying on helicopters, in mud baths…

New Zealand is a country that will leave you breathless, and I recommend you get here as soon as you can for as long as you can.

The next thing to sort out is getting the 4GB of photos and video to you. I’m working on a DVD-ROM and travel blog to send out to friends and family, but in the meantime I’ll try and get a little taster for you up on happy.

We’ve been in Sydney for a couple of hours now. Shock to the system to say the least, big city from the peace of the South Island. Queenstown, Wanaka and Milford Sound were amazing, chilled vibes. Our Hotel’s just off Oxford Street in Sydney, which seems to be the heart of the gay district, something Dad insists he had no previous knowledge of…

Climbing the bridge tomorrow, should be interesting. Even more amazing photos of the South Island to come.

We’ve done so much in the past few days it’s hard to keep up. Coromandel was superb, we then headed inland, had a mud bath and luged down a mountain. Climbed a volcano, incredible views. Few bars in Wellington. Fantastic flight to Picton and the South Island in a little 4 seater! Didn’t get to see much of Abel Tasman National park as just so short on time now (racing down to Queenstown past the glaciers), but did get a little while on a golden beach and had a swim in the Tasman. We’re now following the Buller river, past the huge Kahurangi National park, towards the West coast. First day it’s looking a little overcast, but the west coast is pretty rainy anyway. Long drive today!

No time to update with photos as we’re off now around the Coromandel, got back into Auckland late last night after a fantastic few days in the Northlands. On the first night we headed over the bay to Russel, and a great sunset. Next day we drove to the tip of NZ, Cape Reinga and did some sand surfing. Yesterday, we took the big power boat out into the Bay of Islands, through the famous hole in the rock and then a spot of kayaking around the islands. Lots of superb photos to upload when we get time!