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    January 11, 2020
    Lizzy and AshleighNew ZealandTraveler

    New zealand Auckland

    January 11, 2020 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    After a 11 hour flight we landed in Auckland New Zealand early evening. Beautiful weather here. Warm and sunny. Everyone in New Zealand so far have been very helpful and friendly. Found our way to Nomad Hostel easily where we are staying for 4 nights. It was so nice to have a shower after not having one for days! We are so jet lagged, so didnt get up to much this evening . Had a large burger and glass of Savignon blanc and wondered the streets of Auckland city. Now off to bed to catch up on sleep.Read more

  • Lizzy and AshleighNew ZealandTraveler

    Viaduct basin and Devonport

    January 12, 2020 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌙 17 °C

    Woke up feeling refreshed  and excited for our first proper day in New Zealand. Made breakfast in the hostel and sat outside on the balcony. We then wondered to viaduct basin a harbour near where we are staying. Next we got a ferry over to Devonport, a beautiful bayside village. We then walked up a volcano called Maungauika and explored the military tunnels. Breathtaking views overlooking Auckland and Mount Victoria.

    We then went to Cheltenham beach to relax and went for a swim. The sea was surprising warm! On the way back to the ferry we saw a dog on her own. We managed to catch her in the end and asked a local to try and call the number on her collar. Unfortunately no one answered. The woman put it on the local Facebook page and called the lost and found number. We looked after her on the beach for a little while then the lady we met took over. We then had fish and chips overlooking the sea and Auckland . We have just arrived to our hostel and had a message from the lady we were with to say Tilly had been reunited with her owner and they were very greatful that we took care of her. We are both tired after a long day so relaxing in the hostel this evening.    Read more

  • Lizzy and AshleighNew ZealandTraveler

    City sky at night

    January 13, 2020 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌙 17 °C

    This morning we applied for our IRN numbers to enable us to work. Hoping to pick up some work over the next couple of months. We then went to the bank and applied for an account.

    This afternoon we wondered up to Auckland Domain which is a large green space in the city sitting on the remains of a retired volcano. At the top of the mound is Auckland Museum. After following the footpath up through the park which is surrounded with many native trees amongst others, we arrived at the Museum at 4pm to find that we only had an hour there before closing time so decided see the museum a different day. We did however take a look in the conservatory located at the bottom of the park which has many exotic plants and ferns. We then came across Parnell village one of Aucklands oldest areas.

    In the evening we went up the skytower. Beautiful views from the top. We paid $4 extra to go up again tomorrow to see the view in the day time.    Read more

  • Lizzy and AshleighNew ZealandTraveler

    Wine tour at Waiheke

    January 14, 2020 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    Weather wasn't too bad this morning so decided to book a wine tour at Waiheke Island in the morning . We catched the ferry from Auckland over to Waiheke Island at 1pm.There were 8 of us on the tour. We sampled many different wines and walked around the vineyards. Unfortunately the weather was a bit miserable and grey and rained a bit but the excellent wine made up for it! We also met a lovely bunch of people on our tour a couple from Arizona, a lady who lived on the North Island of Zealand who was from cardiff and was here with her fiend who was also from Cardiff. We also met a couple who lived in Bristol. Such a small world! The lady who lives in Bristol is friends with someone I used to work with. Crazy who you bump in to the other side of the world.

    We bought a lovely bottle of Mudbrick Vineyard rose wine. We will enjoy that at some point this week. After the ferry back we had some drinks at a bar with our wine tour friends. After that we headed up to the sky tower to see the view in the day time and in to the evening.    Read more

  • Lizzy and AshleighNew ZealandTraveler

    Auckland Museum

    January 15, 2020 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    This morning we went in to the happy travels shop next door to our hostel. We've booked an exiting trip for tomorow. You will hear all about it in tomorrow's blog. Spent quite a bit of money this morning on the trip so we deicided to have more of a quiet day today.

    We took a bus to Auckland Museum in the afternoon. I learnt a lot about Maori culture and there were many fascinating Maori treasures. People were also dressing up in traditional Maori clothes. There was a lot of other things to see/do in in museum including a virtual volcano eruption and the history of New Zealand at war. After the museum the sun was shining so we sat on top of the hill and read our books. We has a quiet evening as we are up early tomorrow.    Read more

  • Lizzy and AshleighNew ZealandTraveler

    Magical day- Waitomo and Hobbiton ✨ ✨

    January 16, 2020 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    Today we hired a car and drove from Auckland down to Waitomo caves to see the gloworms. The tour guide walked us down the cave to a small boat that takes you around the waters down there. Guided by ropes in complete darkness, this magical place has thousands and thousands of gloworms which looks like your looking up at the stars (green stars).

    Hobbiton was.. well, one of the coolest places we've been to. If not the coolest. It was far bigger than we imagined. The surroundings of lush rolling hills and mountains in the distance. We learnt a lot of the secrets of how they set it up to contrast with the actors being hobbits or adult humans and also of the lengths that Peter Jackson and his crew went to keeping Hobbiton the same for the movies that followed the fellowship of the ring. But we're not going to tell those secrets for anyone planning a visit there. We finished our journey with a real English ale at the dragon pub. Would definitely recommend a visit to anybody going to New Zealand.    Read more

  • Lizzy and AshleighNew ZealandTraveler

    And relax...

    January 17, 2020 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    Today was a bit more of a low key day. We wondered down to the viaduct basin (quayside) and stopped for a cold cider at one of the irish bars down there; it's been very warm today. We then read our books in the sun on some of the loungers at the viaduct. This evening we have cooked and finished the evening with a drink at Mr Murdocks at our hostel.Read more

  • Lizzy and AshleighNew ZealandTraveler

    Paradise in Piha

    January 18, 2020 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    Today we met Ashleigh's dads friend Leanne who lives in New Zealand. She picked us up and we went over to Piha on the West coast. It was a beautiful drive up high windy roads, stunning views from the top. We had brunch at Piha cafe then stolled down to the beach. Piha beach is a black sand beach and is popular with surfers . Lion rock which you can see in the pictures is a natural formation dividing North and South Piha beaches. It is an eroded 16-million-year-old, volcanic neck named for its similarity to a lying male lion when viewed from the rear (shore side).

    After a walk on the beach we headed to kitkite waterfalls. We walked a long a wooden trail surrounded by rainforest. When approaching the view of the waterfall it was spectacular and so beautiful. We climbed down a rocky path and went for a swim under the waterfall. It was actually very cold, but we soon dried off in the sun. We then had a long hilly climb to the top of the waterfall. There were a few rockpools which we jumped in. The view from the top was stunning you could see for miles. I could of stayed there all day! After that we headed to elevation cafe piha for a cold beer with a view. We headed back to our hostel then for the evening.    Read more

  • Lizzy and AshleighNew ZealandTraveler

    Rangitoto volcano

    January 20, 2020 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    Today we went to ANZ bank for our appointment. We finally have a New Zealand bank account so we can start looking for work.

    After, we got a ferry over to Rangitoto Island. Rangitoto is Auckland’s largest and youngest volcano. It erupted out of the sea and has been the site of at least two eruptions, the last occurring about 600 years ago. We made it to the top of the volcano after a tough hot climb. Beautiful views from the top and we were able to see the crater.

    We came back covered in volcanic ash so we've showered and made food in the hostel. We have packed some of our things as we are off to Wellington tomorow :)

    We then went to boozy bingo with our friends in our hostel room. Unfortunately we didn't win anything but it was good fun.    Read more

  • Lizzy and AshleighNew ZealandTraveler

    Mount Eden and Mission bay

    January 21, 2020 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    We checked out our hostel this morning. Off to Wellington this evening. We took a train from Britomart to Mount Eden. Also known as Maungawhau, meaning mountain of the whau tree, is 196 metres high and the highest natural point in Auckland. Spectacular views from the top and a large crater.

    We then got a bus to mission bay beach and chilled on the beach for a bit. Mainly in the shade because it was so hot! We then went for food at viaduct basin in the crab shack. We are currently on a 11 hour overnight bus to Wellington.. It's going to be a long night. When we booked it we thought it was a good idea as it was cheap and we are saving a night in a hostel.    Read more

  • Lizzy and AshleighNew ZealandTraveler

    Windy Wellington

    January 22, 2020 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    After a very long coach trip we arrived in Wellington. We took a bus in to the centre to nomads hostel. We got there very early in the morning we couldn't check in until 2pm. So had a nap on the sofa in the lounge area. We didn't get much sleep last night. We had a wonder around Wellington Harbour then went for food on Cuba street. It is full of historic buildings, vintage shops, alongside cafés, restaurants and bars. Below is a picture of the bucket fountain on Cuba street. Wellington is very windy and a lot colder than we expected. We miss sunny Auckland already but looking forward to exploring Wellington for the next 5 days.Read more

  • Lizzy and AshleighNew ZealandTraveler

    Cable car and botanical gardens

    January 23, 2020 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Woke up late this morning because we didn't get much sleep last night the room was so hot and unfortunately missed free pancakes for breakfast. We complained about it this morning about the temperature and they are moving us to a different room this afternoon.

    We took the famous cable car up to the botanical gardens today from Lambton Quay to Kelburn. Colourful lights lit the tunnels on the way to the top. We had a wonder around the museum and tried on some clothes from the early 90's and had a picture next to an old cable car. We then had a lovely walk around the gardens.

    When we got back to the hostel we moved in to a different room a lot cooler and a smaller room only a 6 bed dorm rather than 10 where we were staying before. We are now having a cold beer at the bar next to our hostel. We have also applied for a few fruit picking jobs this evening.    Read more

  • Lizzy and AshleighNew ZealandTraveler

    Zealandia and Magic Gardens Gig

    January 24, 2020 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    Today we visited the Zealandia nature reserve which covers 225 achres in the Wellington suburbs. First built as a dam to supply the city with all of its water needs, they later realised that the area laid directly on the fault line so improvements were needed to prevent the water from crashing down in the event of an earthquake and flooding everywhere in its way.

    As it wouldn't be sensible to develop houses on the fault line, it was proposed that the area could be reserved for nature to take over and restore its former native glory. Today it is covered in lush forest (the bush as it is called here) and a large lake where the dam is. Plenty of native birds, plants and other species are now able to flourish here and they plan to restore the land to how it was before human impact within the next 500 years.

    We would definitely recommend a visit to this amazing place if ever in Wellington.

    In the evening we got the cable car up to the botanical gardens to watch a free gig at the botanical gardens which is part of a series put on by the Wellington City Council. We chilled on the grass and shared a bottle of wine that we had got from one of the vineyards on our Waiheki Island visit. After dark, the trees leading the paths back were magically lit up.

    However, we went off the lightened path and found that the forest had its own lights. After the trip that we had driven over 2 hours for and paid 55 dollars for a tour in the caves, we realised that we had fallen for one of the tourist traps. We were were amazed to find that the forest was covered in thousands of glowworms and realised they must be pretty much everywhere when you know where to look. Still, the caves was a pretty good day anyway and it was exciting to find them for free.    Read more

  • Lizzy and AshleighNew ZealandTraveler

    Oriental bay beach

    January 25, 2020 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

    We went to oriental bay beach to relax after all the walking we did yesterday. Only a 15 minute walk from where we are staying. We then went out for pizza and wine to celebrate our 8 year anniversary. We met a couple in the hostel called Tom and Hannah from Rugby in the UK. We went to a few bars with them in the evening.

    When we got back from the bars. The couple in our room said there has been a small earthquake towels fell of the bed and the room shook a bit. We didn't feel a thing when we were out!    Read more

  • Lizzy and AshleighNew ZealandTraveler

    Te Papa

    January 26, 2020 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    This morning we had a bit of a lie in then made plans for the next couple of days. We have booked a couple of nights in Taupo.

     We then headed to Te Papa which is the national museum located in Wellington . Te Papa translates to container of treasures. The most interesting exhibit was called Gallipoli: The Scale Of Our War. This was the story about Gallipoli campaign in World War I through the eyes and words of 8 ordinary New Zealanders who found themselves in extraordinary circumstances. Below are some large life like sculptures of these people. You could see the veins, wounds on their body and sweat on their foreheads. The attention to detail was amazing.Read more

  • Lizzy and AshleighNew ZealandTraveler

    Huka Falls

    January 27, 2020 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌙 18 °C

    We got up at 6.45 to pack and leave our hostel in Wellington. We got the intercity bus from Wellington Station to Taupo. The journey took about 5 hours. Beautiful views along the way. We went along this road called desert road. Desert Road is a section of State Highway 1 running along Rangipo's desert surrounded by volcanoes.

    We arrived at our hostel haka lodge
    at 2pm. Lovely hostel with views of lake Taupo. We walked up to Huka falls about an hour and a half walk from our hostel. We walked past a natural hot spring which you can bathe in. We are planning to go there one evening. After a hot climb we made it to the top. The water was so quick with more than 220,000 litres of water per second barreling over 11meter high waterfall. Such a beautiful place. Will definitely be going back. We've decided to stay in Taupo as its beautiful and lots of things to do and hopefully find a job here for a couple of months.    Read more

  • Lizzy and AshleighNew ZealandTraveler

    Kayak trip to the Māori carvings

    January 28, 2020 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    Today we got up bright and early to go on a kayak trip. We arrived at the canoe and Kayak Taupo shop. We got a bus to the lake and kayaked over to the ancient Māori carvings. We had a two person kayak with a rudder which made it easier to stear. The guide told us the Lake is a super volcano. It erupted 26,000 years ago. The ash cloud caused dark days as far as Rome. The volcano lake is as big as Singapore. When it erupted the crater filled with water known as a caldera.

    The Māori carvings in the rock were an impressive 14 metres high. While the carvings look like they have been in place for centuries they were in fact carved in the 70s by Matahi Whakataka-Brightwell. These carvings depict tupuna (ancestors) and kaitiaki (guardians) that are pivotal to the history of the local Maori tribe.

    We then paddled over to the beach for a coffee and biscuits. The sun came out just in time for a swim in the clear lake. We got back for lunch. In the evening we went to the world famous Tuesday night quiz at Mulligans!! with a few people we met in the hostel. We came 2nd which was not bad!    Read more

  • Lizzy and AshleighNew ZealandTraveler

    We've got ourselves a part time job!

    January 29, 2020 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    We saw the hostel we are staying at, Haka Lodge are hiring for housekeeping and reception work. We spoke to the manager this morning and he's offered us both housekeeping and reception work. Easiest interview I've been to. Paperwork filled out and we start tomorrow. I am starting at 7 tomorrow morning doing housekeeping training and Ashleigh starts at 8 doing reception training.

    We thought we would have a more chilled afternoon. Did a food shop then went for a walk down the harbour and went to hide in a coffee shop as its been raining here today. We are going to have a relaxing evening in before an early start tomorow.    Read more

  • Lizzy and AshleighNew ZealandTraveler

    Morning of work and Otumuheke

    January 30, 2020 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    Got up bright and early for a 7am start. I spent 5 hours cleaning the kitchens, bathrooms and making beds. Very busy but productive morning. Ashleigh spent his time on reception learning how to book people in, check people out and make bookings for tours/activities. Ashleigh is finishing at 4. He's doing 8 hours today. I'm currently relaxing by the lake in a cafe with a latte and reading my kindle. It's been raining here most of ths day but it brightened up late afternoon so I had a wonder down to the lake.

    In the evening after Ashleigh finished work we went to some natural hot springs at Otumuheke.    Read more

  • Lizzy and AshleighNew ZealandTraveler

    BBQ with work friends

    January 31, 2020 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌙 15 °C

    This morning I went for a swim in Lake Taupo. Clear sky today and beautiful views of the mountains. Ashleigh worked from 8-4. I worked from 4-9pm. First day on reception today. A lot to take in and learn. In the evening we had a work bbq on the decking.Read more

  • Lizzy and AshleighNew ZealandTraveler

    Taupo Markets and Rangatira lookout

    February 1, 2020 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    This morning I walked 45 minutes up to the Taupo Markets. Beautiful views from the top and a lovely vineyard to look around. There were food stools, local souvenirs and arts and crafts. I bought a beautiful green necklace and enjoyed a latte in the middle of the market. I then strolled to the Rangatira view point. I had a Mr whippy ice cream while enjoying the stunning views across Taupo. I got chatting to some people from Ireland about their travels they had just come from Australia and said New Zealand was more stunning. I recommend a few things for them to do while in Taupo. It had been very hot today about 30 degrees.

    I then met Ashleigh on his lunch break we sat on the bench in the garden and had left over BBQ food. I am currently reading my Lonely Planet New Zealand book by the lake.    Read more

  • Lizzy and AshleighNew ZealandTraveler

    Working together. Museum and boat trip

    February 2, 2020 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    This morning Ashleigh and I worked together for the first time. Everyone had to work in pairs. We made lots of beds, cleaned the rooms, kitchen and BBQ. Shift done by 2.30. Ashleigh was working on reception this afternoon. I went to Taupo museum which I got in for free because I am a resident in the hostel. The museum included Maori artwork, history of Lake Taupo, local history and a section on volcanoes. The museum also had a a garden of wellbeing and rose garden.

    After this I wondered down to the harbour and took a hour and a half boat trip on the lake to the Maori carvings. Very choppy and windy on the lake today. I was sitting on front deck and got soaked. All good fun anyway. In the evening we went for a walk. Ashleigh found this little statue on a bench which you can see in the photo.    Read more

  • Lizzy and AshleighNew ZealandTraveler

    Warm Water lake

    February 3, 2020 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    Today I went to warm water lake. A beach you can dig to create small hot pools. The view of the mountains never gets old. Ashleigh worked until 2.30pm doing housekeeping. I have been working on reception this evening starting to get the hang of it.Read more

  • Lizzy and AshleighNew ZealandTraveler

    Mini golf and drinks by the lake

    February 4, 2020 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    Today I worked on reception from 8-4pm. Ashleigh went to the Rangatira look out point where I went on my day off on Saturday. When I finished work we went to mini golf Taupo. We drew 67!! We will have to play another game soon. We then went for a cold cider in the sun.Read more

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