Starting our travels in the Northlands

Well it has been quite a busy few days! We have gone from Auckland to Cape Reigna right at the top of the North Island via a few places on the way. After our night at Piha we went on to Whangerei which was a long drive but we were meeting up with some friends to go and have a tour around the Lion Man sanctuary with the Lion man himself! that was amazing, they all come up to him and start rubbing their heads against the cage like they are a little house cat! After that we went on to the Bay of Islands which is very pretty, found a couple of really nice spots there. Next stop was Ninety mile beech, which runs all up the north west side of the island with a load of really huge sand dunes right at the top. Next day we went right up to the top to Cape Reinga where the Tasman sea and the Pacific meet, not quite the most northern point but pretty spectacular all the same! Started heading back down yesterday (23rd) and we are currently at the southern most end of Ninety Mile Beech. Will put on some pics now so you can see what we have been up to!

Us with the Lion Man !!!!

Whangerei Falls 5 min walk from our campsite.

Bay of Islands, well part of it anyway!

This was a tiny little bay in a really remote part of the bay of islands, we were the only people there, it was stunning.

Simon was happy, we stayed in a campsite where you could have open fires, only problem was that there was only a tap and the toilets were a big hole in the ground. He managed to cook up a feast of black potato's and sausages, and bannana's with chocolate inside (definatly the highlight!)

Cape Reinga where the two oceans meet, the waves cross over in different directions.

We are on our way back to Auckland now we need to pick up some thiings so we can look at getting some work. Will probably try some fruit picking. We will keep you posted!!

New Zealand at last!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We finally arrived in Auckland on 13th April 2012. We stayed 6 nights, long enough to arrange a camper van, then we headed off to the west. We will work our way north from here. Auckland is a nice city and although it sprawls out as far as you can see, the center isnt really that busy and the people are still really friendly. On 18th April we picked up our camper van which we have bought, her name is Bertha, she is 23 years old but still chugging along. She will have to carry us two around for the next couple of years!

Received some bad news today (19th April) that Nan Piv passed away on the 17th. We will miss her so much but hopefully she is back with Grandad now. Just want everyone to know i am thinking of her, and my Family and wish i was there with you all.

Marker at the top of Mount Eden, a volcano just outside Auckland city

Bertha Willamina Waite, our little van who has to lug us two around!! If we dont kill each other that is!!

Auckland city center from the top of mount Eden

At the top of Rangitoto island after a 3 hour climb to the top. The views of the bay from here were stunning

 

At Phia beach where we are currently staying, surfing here is meant to be great so im sure we will give it a go. The sand is black and sparkles in the sun it is really pretty. ( Steve (Dad) you would love it here!)

Hi Everyone!

Hi guys, just a quick note to say we have just heard the Tsunami warnings etc on the news. We are in Bangkok at the moment so not near the sea ( and 6 floors up!) All going well we will be flying out tomorrow eve (12th). Will keep you all posted. xx

Koh Samui

We are now in Koh Samui, it is an island off the east coast of Thailand. After Koh Lanta it was a bit of a let down coming here! Everything is geared up for tourists who want to get pissed!and you feel like you are getting ripped off the whole time, funny thing is there is hardly anyone here! Just lots of very empty pubs, one bonus is you can get some normal food yey!

 Some parts would have been really nice if they hadn't been trashed or completely overrun with resorts, you cant even get to the beech without going through a resort! It hasn't all been bad though, we had a good night out where we saw a ladyboy show, found a great rock pub that played everything we asked them to and then followed by a band at a reggae bar!! Bad heads in the morning!

Did manage to find one quiet beech and some good waterfalls for Simon to try and climb up! and the hotel is really nice, even got a balcony, for the bargain price of £10!

The happiest Simon has been in Koh Samui!!

Waterfall, what more can i say!

Yes we are shiney, was very hot!!

Sun set from the beech near our hotel

Grandmother rock!! we have been reduced to going to see this to keep ourselves ammused!!

And of course grandfather rock, was actually right next to grandmother rock too.

The only empty beech in Koh Samui, the water was so shallow, it had actually got hot, it was like having a bath!



The magic gardens, at the top of a mountain that our poor scooter only just made it up! was quite eerie, just needed some mist and it would have been in a horror movie, old statues everywhere staring at you!

Koh Lanta

We stayed on Koh Lanta for 5 nights, it is an island off the west coast of Thailand. The island is only small ( about 35km long) and the roads quiet so we rented a scooter out, was great, we got to see a lot more of the island that way, Stayed in a budget hotel which was brilliant as they had a toaster and fridge that we could use. Met a really nice Aussie couple Reece and Cheryse who put up with us for a few days and came to the beaches and animal sanctuary, and of course played cards in the evenings. One of the nicest places we have stayed so far.

Our scooter "Napoleon" 

Bamboo beech Koh Lanta, on the southern end of the island was so quiet, there were only a few people there

Andrea found an animal sanctuary so we walked some dogs for a couple of days, Simon got one who was scared of the beech and just sat down and refused to move!!

Andrea was meant to be making a u shape but never mind!!  Had to be quick, Simons feet were burning - Bamboo Beach

Poker night, playing for matches, big spenders hey!!