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Grafton

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  • Susanne and MachielHalf around the world and back
    Day59

    Defeated by water

     January 4 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    So our plan was to go snorkeling at Goat Island where Susanne also snorkeled 10 years ago. Beforehand we had plotted out a diving shop we'd go to that had good reviews for renting cheap snorkeling gear. However, when we woke up it was very windy and not too warm. Machiel hadn't slept very well and was shivering. We decided to pack our backpacks first as we had to hand in the car in the end of the day. This was a bit of a challenge since we recently obtained some more stuff, like beach towels. But we somewhat managed to squeeze it all in. Then we first had a look at the conditions at the beach. It wasn't too perfect, but there were other people in the water. Susanne decided to give it a go, and rented snorkeling gear at the beach instead of the other shop, as it was somehow even cheaper (35 NZD for 2 hours vs 40 for the whole day) given that she would anyways only use it for 2 hours and not a whole day. The first snorkel wasn't too waterproof which meant it got it bit too salty, but after switching it for another one, it was working well. The underwater world had some really big fish to offer. Among them the big-gray-with-shiny-turquoise-dots-fish and the big-red-white-striped-fish-who-likes-to-stick-to-the-ground. It wasn't as great as in Susanne's memory, also because the sea was a bit rough and therefore the water not that clear, but it still pretty nice. Machiel meanwhile was the flipflop & towel guy. After a while a break was needed as the water was, despite wearing a wet suit, very cold. She went in once more for a little while, but the sea didn't have much more to offer today. The car meanwhile had warmed up a lot but it took Susanne quite a while in it until she felt warm again.

    We drove to Auckland trying to find a cheap gas station to fill up in. This wasn't easy, but we found one with a small detour. Arriving at the car rental location in Auckland, the car was quickly inspected while we were packing whatever was left in it. Then we walked to the hostel we booked. Yes, for the first time in 13 nights we were sleeping at a hostel again. It didn't have any atmosphere but it was functional and provided us with a good kitchen to bake the free kumaras we got on the kumara farm 2 nights ago. That was delicious.    Read more

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  • A long expected journey
    Day4

    Da habt ihr aber ganz schön was vor...

     September 1, 2019 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    Boah, Frauchen... mir tut immer noch der Po weh vom Fliegen, aber gut. Wie seid ihr überhaupt schon wieder in der Lage, zu denken und zu planen? Mir fallen schon wieder die Augen zu. Ich döse noch ne Runde. - Aegon

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  • Lizzy and AshleighNew zealand
    Day10

    Rangitoto volcano

     January 20 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

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  • Lizzy and AshleighNew zealand
    Day1

    New zealand Auckland

     January 11 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 sleepRead more

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  • Lizzy and AshleighNew zealand
    Day2

    Viaduct basin and Devonport

     January 12 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌙 17 °C

    Woke up feeking 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. We then 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 his own. We managed to catch him in the end and asked a local to try and call the number on his 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 has 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

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  • Lizzy and AshleighNew zealand
    Day3

    City sky at night

     January 13 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 the 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

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  • Lizzy and AshleighNew zealand
    Day4

    Wine tour at Waiheke

     January 14 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 are 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

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  • Lizzy and AshleighNew zealand
    Day5

    Auckland Museum

     January 15 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 in a room 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. Had a quiet evening as we are up early tomorrow.Read more

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  • Lizzy and AshleighNew zealand
    Day7

    And relax...

     January 17 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

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Grafton

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