The North Island

Auckland
Our first taste of New Zealand didn't disappoint, it being breakfast in a swanky cafe in Auckland. After 5 months in South America, we weren't quite ready for such sophistication. Andyb wasn't used to the change in language either; replying "Si, gracias" when the waitress asked if the eggs & bacon (on rye with a hollandaise jus) were for him.

As we eagerly awaited the arrival of Mags & Kenny, we took a couple of days to explore the beaches and islands, close to the city. Piha & Karekare are two of the most beautiful, remote, and unpopulated beaches that we have had the fortune of visiting. The latter was the location for the film, "The Piano". Having a hire car was already proving a big bonus! We took a ferry to the Island of Tiritiri Matangi which is an open sanctuary for endangered birdlife, and saw and heard birds such as the (squawking) Tui, bellbird, fantail, to name a few.

Now with Mags & Kenny in tow, highlights of Auckland included finding a "Tony & Guy" hair franchise, so we could all get a decent haircut (except for Kenny who thought we were bloody puddled for spending forty quid instead of four at the barbers uptown), the sky tower (328 metres high makes it the highest structure in NZ and gives great, panoramic views of the city), and the suburbs (particularly Mount Eden where we stayed, where Andy & Lisab declared they could live - if they could afford it).

Lisab running away from Andyb at Karekare Beach

A reflection of the Sky Tower, Auckland.

Coromandel Peninsula
We spent a few days visiting (yet more) beaches - including the hot water beach - where at certain times of the day (1 1/2 hours either side of low tide) you can hire a spade and dig a hole in the beach,which then fills up with hot spring water that lurks underneath the sand - APPARENTLY - we couldn't be faffed, it was too hot. The kids stayed behind, whilst the Bruntons took a (not very) energetic walk to Cathedral Cove - yet another gorgeous beach - yada, yada, yada.

Mags & Kenny after hearing ANOTHER story about travels in South America.

Napier
We pitched up in Napier in good time to see England whoop the Kiwis at cricket, in the third test, to win the series 2-1. We had perfect cricket weather (hot & sunny), whilst we enjoyed 2 days at the test, listening to the Barmy Army's tunes & were even spotted on t.v. (looking well by all accounts - must be the new hair do's) by Andrew's dad, Stuart. Bet Lynch was good enough to rent out her house for the week (who knew they produced faux leopard print toilet roll?) and we had a jolly time exploring the Art Deco buildings of Napier.

Strauss batting.

Monty.

Strauss again - well he did bat for a full day, eventually reaching 173!

New Zealand acknowledge The Barmy Army.

England crowd the bat with just one wicket needed for victory, even Monty was in the slips which brought a loud cheer from the following England fans.


Our cottage (centre) we rented in Napier.

The Tobacco Factory, Napier.

Art Deco, Napier.

We left the kids with a babysitter whilst we trekked the "best day walk in New Zealand" - The Tongariro crossing (though we would quibble with that judgement - but it was pleasant enough).

Mt Ngauruhoe.

The Emerald Lakes.

The Bruntons at Mount Ngauruhoe whilst on the Tongariro crossing.

The Longest place name in the world (read for yourself), it roughly translates to "the hill where Tamatea, circumnavigator of the lands, played the flute for his brother"

This Sea Lion at Cape Palliser took objection to Lisa's camera skills.

Wellington
Before setting sail for the South Island, we whiled away a few days in the capital. Lisab didn't think it was all that compared to Auckland, and whilst the cities are pleasant enough, there is no beating the beauty of the coastline. The main higlight being the NZ National Museum - Te Papa - worth a visit for an afternoon. The lowlight being the hundreds of very loud NZ school kids that ran, derranged, through the corridors of the YHA at 6am. We are calling for an outright ban of all kids in Youth Hostels.