First week back in the real world...

To be honest, a week of doing barely anything!

A few shopping trips have meant Trafford Centre, Denton and Buxton - along with a burnt out purse for me! (Especially after my expensive trip!)

Catching up with friends and family - trips to the pub, skype, phonecalls and email have been great to not only tell of my travelling tales, but find out what everyone else has been upto! 

Mum and Dad picked up keys to our new house - finally time to get away from renting! So that is exciting, although the mammoth task of rennovation lays ahead for them!

Lucy has moved out into her own house with the little boy and frequent visits are a must! It is great to see the little man really becoming interested in people and the world around me - while trying to control himself and learn to sit up!
Auntie L has travelled over from NZ and it has been lovely to have the extended family together, with a meal and great chat last night. It just highlights the importance of family, and the role they play - i believe.

The unfortunate task for myself sat here now is what to do next. My final year of university is hanging over me as I MUST begin at least preperations towards my dissertation. I am surrounded by papers and lists for work to be done over the next couple of weeks before I head back to Exe, and I barely know where to begin! Bills, landlord letters, career applications, emails, timetables, dissertation work, work rotas, volunteering lists and I can barely set it all in order!

Bank holiday monday tomorrow, a final day of rest then back to the hard work! It will pay to sort myself out and stress no more! 

But for now, another brew and tele for the night!

Conclusion of an amazing trip...

I really don't know what there is to say about the time I spent away in New Zealand.
The tour was fantastic and I met some amazing people - some of which, I hope will remain friends for life! The activities we did were fantastic, and I not only surprised others, but myself with my willingness to try everything, hoping to have no regrets for the trip! And in the main art I don't! I tried everything pre-paid and booked! The only events I really did not pursue were Zorbing (I would have most definately been sick) and Sky-Diving. Although I wish I had the guts to do this, with my fear of flying, jumping out of a plane is last on my list!
Highlights of the tour for me were the cities - Auckland, Wellington, Queenstown, the helpfulness and friendliness of Kiwis everywhere, and the oppurtunity to try so many new things! Rafting was a personal favourite (Although the boat flipped!)
Lowlights - there really aren't many except perhaps being tired, hungry etc. The mountain biking was gruelling but I do not regret it - anything but.
It is impossible to summarise the trip but in an attempt I would say a fantastic month to try new things, make new friends, and really learn alot about yourself!
Auckland on my own (away from the group but with family) was also brilliant. So nice to have a base from which to work and travel. Seeing family I haven't had the oppurtunity to spend all too much time with was fantastic. The Mayes family really made me one of the gang and I felt so at home - sometimes as though I had never left my own front room! And seeing Dad's cousin A and her young boys was brilliant, such a beautiful family, and A's contribution to helping me find things to do, places to go, what to eat and buy etc. was invaluable information!
The flight home was as expected gruelling. But flying into Manchester, grabbing my bag and gliding through passport control to be greeted by my Mum, Sister, and Nephew was fantastic. I knew it would happen and the tears started! Shattered, overwhelmed, and so happy to see everyone, it has taken a few days to relax back into things and recover from the jetlag!

Final full day in NZ - preparation for the long haul flight tomorrow!

So today I have basically done nothing!
Thea has been resting and incredibly zonked out and tired due to painkillers for her wrist! J and auntie L have also been resting from their competition!
It has been a day of eating too much and slouching in front of the tele!
The three of us girls managed to blast through the entire Series 1 of Silk today! Last day in New Zealand and I spent it watching a UK TV series! In some ways I am glad though! It's nice to just rest and unwind before such a long flight! I also had to repack my bag - WHAT a stressful experience! But had chance for a nice glass of wine and quick check on the olympics highlights!
Going to bed quite early as I want to get up to watch the closing ceremony as I missed the opening!!
Photos today are only from the back garden, but show the gorgeous Albany hills, and were taken at the only clear point in the day! The weather has been pretty horriffic, particularly overnights, with storms brewing and hitting hard!
Flight home tomorrow. Ready to go back now I think, but have honestly had the most fantastic time! Cannot wait to see the family though - just the small time matter of the 30+ hour journey home beginning tomorrow night, and I will be back on british soil!

A day of rest - for me at least!

A 13 hour sleep ended in me being woken up by my uncle this morning! Not even an enjoyable sleep due to nightmares, and the fact I still don't fell 100% - headache, cold and sickies :(
I got up and washed quickly, to head out of the door. Today I was watching T, J and auntie L compete at their CrossFit gym competition. I arrived during the dodgeball round! It was manic, and brutal! Everyone got really into it and competitive vibes were high! It was brilliant to watch. The other round I was lucky to see was the "Clean" weightlifting round! It was impressive watching the champ lift 135kg alongside everyone else competing for winner status!! Theas go and she breezed through to 60kg, where it was appearing to get heavier. On the 67.5kg lift her wrist gave way, bending and causing her to drop the weight - so close!! She collapsed in pain, certain she had broken her wrist! Whisked off to hospital by auntie L, J and I had to make our way home in the other car. Because of no tears and an incredibly strong Thea, we believed the injury to be a tear, snap or small fracture or sprain. 1 hour later however we heard she has in fact broken her wrist! Devastating!! She has done so well however, and coped with the pain superbly. Here's to a speedy recovery.
No photo again today - sorry!!

All manners of marine life!

Waking up with a slightly fuzzy head, but a shower and soon ready to go again! Bundling into the car, A, F, Al and myself were to visit Wynyard Quarter, Auckland. The area was particularly established for the hoards visiting for the 2011 Rugby World Cup, but has since become a rather popular little spot. A team runs around the area and there are several walkways, viewing tours and bridges. Playgrounds paddling pools and even a rogue piano filled the Harbour front! It was a fantastic area, and lined with several great restaurants and cafes. A quick hot chocolate stop and we were soon up at the waterfront again. It was here we had first surprise of the day - a fur seal near the walkway! It was a gorgeous little seal playing away on its own in the shallow depths, and a joy to watch. A nice little picnic and it was soon time for me to wave goodbye to the others. It has been fantastic to see them, with the boys a delight! A shame they live so far away, but lovely to see when the opportunity arises. A has looked after me well and given me great insight/knowledge into Auckland and where to shop and visit etc.
With my camera packing itself in this morning I had to RUN and buy a new one, as a MUST for the next activity. I was booked on to a four and a half hour Whale and Dolphin Safari. With the sun beaming down it's glorious ways, and the ocean like a millpond / an absolutely gorgeous and exciting afternoon. Very soon after getting out of the harbour we came across the second treat of the day - a 30 strong pod of Common Dolphins. Surfing the bow of the boat and feeding, they were fab to watch! Hanging around a while we moved onto our next spot, and saw what I was really hoping to see for the first time in the wild! A whale!! We saw the spume of water coming from the blow hole up ahead and made stead! We came up close and it was a Bryde's whale! It was amazing to see, and such a rare opportunity. I thought my day couldn't get any better, when we headed to deeper waters, and found a collection of 6 of these whales within the same reach. The views were splendid of arching backs and dorsal find everywhere. The most striking point when one came close to the side of the boat emerging and blowing up water - a moment I shall never forget!! So several whales, more dolphins than I could count, and a seal were all viewed today - in the most fantastic weather that I must admit has left my cheeks a little touched by the sun!
Meeting the cousins and aunt and uncle in town it was soon dinner time. We met and headed to Monsoon Poon - an Asian fusion restaurant. The food was incredible. One dish which stood out, ordered by Thea, was firecracker chicken - one quick taste of sauce and it was so hot it numbed my mouth for almost the rest of the meal. Again full to the brim and time to head home. Not drinking today, I was to be the responsible driver home :/. Concerning. My first trip on Kiwi Roads. Nowhere near as bad as I thought, but difficult as I had no idea where we were going! What seemed like an endless journey and we are home. Time to run through the activities of the week, journal, check my photographs, and prepare for bed! My last 2 full days from tomorrow - needed as a relaxing weekend i think!!

Sky walk!

Thursday in Auckland, and today I have booked to do the Sky Walk! This involves walking around a 1m wide pathway, harnessed up, 192m high, above the main observatory deck of the Sky tower Auckland (tallest building in the southern hemisphere.) the experience was incredible!
Absolutely bricking it at "mission control", I along with an Irish couple, suited and harnessed up ready to take the lift to the deck! Wearing an orange oompa loompa suit I set out on to the platform. On the way out, we saw a couple of men performing the cable guided base jump "Sky Jump" from the same platform, travelling 85kmh towards the platform target below. Looking down I felt dizzy!
Soon however we were out onto the 360 walkway and underway! We looked below and out across the horizons, taking in the beautiful views and gleaming sun of the harbours! First challenge - take hands off the harness. Second challenge, put toes close to the edge. We then looked out and learnt more about aucklands history, the various mono genetic volcano hills, and landmarks of the city. Time for a new challenge, sit down into harness and edge backwards until only toes are left on the walkway - and let go of the rope! It was scary, but once done once not so bad and easy to repeat. Challenge 4 finally, was to lean forward In harness, over the edge looking directly down. The height really kicked in then! It was a fabulous experience and I thoroughly enjoyed being able to take in the views in such a way, it would have been nice however to get another walk around, or back the same way. It was however great fun.
It was soon afternoon and time to travel over to dads cousin As for the afternoon and night. Another day, another bus and I was there. Still gleaming sunshine as I stepped off the bus and made the short walk. For the afternoon we visited MOTAT (Museum of Transport and Technology) and had a quick tour around the Victorian village, steam house, Hillary exhibition, phone evolution, and mirror maze!! All great fun! :)
It was soon tired and home time for little lads F and Al, and we were back watching How to train your pet dragon, and making pizza for tea! An incredibly relaxing evening of wine and the Olympics, and a good nights sleep is in order!

Segway!!

Another early start today, in order to catch the ferry over to Devonport for a Magic Broomstick Segway Tour of Devonport! What a brilliant morning. Arriving to grey skies and downpour, we postponed a while waiting for the gloom to pass over. It eventually did, and it was time to take my first step onto a Segway! There were two Aussies also on the tour, and with tales of Segway falls and stumbles I was slightly nervous to begin with! Our brilliant tour guide went ahead and showed us the simple start out points. Balance would be key, leaning forward - moves you forward and vice versa for backward. The steering post helping turn the machine around. A rather tentative start and the most difficulty aspects actually getting on and off the machine, we were soon ready to go!
We headed off along the coast front past the Yachting Club (oldest in new Zealand) whilst paying attention to the gorgeous housing, and plaques dating back areas, trees, houses, locations. We were then soon on our way up hill to North Head where the past naval base was located, and where the Navy tunnels remain intact. We scooted up quickly to the top, looking out over the gorgeous bays, over to North Shore, over to the Harbour Bridge, out to the sky tower, and across to Rangitoto. Although still a bit grey and damp, this didn't spoil the views. We then hopped off the Segways and wandered down to the Disappearing Gun. This was a heavy artillery gun that recoiled after firing, underground, to be reloaded. We viewed it from above ground, before angering the tunnels and also viewing it from below. Weighing over 13 tonnes it was a vast machine, and must have needed a lot of man power to load and fire - with 100kg bullets!! We had a quick look around some of the tunnels, into bunkers and rooms for resting with fireplaces. After our quick exploration, we then headed back to our Segways! A dash down the hill and we were soon the other side of Devonport and riding along the beach. We had a nice little stop off in a park to really let loose and see what the machines could do - I felt much more comfortable by now and this was great fun! A nice windy path back to the wharf where we had set off from, and the heavens opened! We were back just in time! It was a fantastic tour and well worth it! I cannot believe how much fun a segway is, or what a lovely, historic place Devonport is.
I hopped back on the ferry soon after, cold and a little damp to head for the city and a bite to eat. The downpours and their sudden nature was a bit of a shame, and I would have otherwise wandered around the city for a while longer. Soon I was back on the bus and heading back to Albany. Missing the majority of the rain on the walk back up, I was soon in the dry and warn with Sandy the labrador! Great for snuggled as I am greatly missing my three dogs at home - Jemma, Woody and Beau! :)
Time to dry off and I was out again - to watch youngest cousin J at his school hockey match! :) unfortunately the team lost, but I think they did incredibly well considering the driving rain!
More tired than I ever thought possible tonight. Sleeeeeeeep!!
(Note picture of viaduct harbour was largest amount of bluesky, and literally only lasted a split second!)

A busy, well organised day...

I woke up early this morning (pre 7am) as Thea works in the city and it makes sense for me to hitch a lift with her that way!!
News this morning however was that Mt. Tongariro showed signa of eruption last night. Although having discussed its volcanic status with the family last night, still quite a shock - and everyone is keeping an eye on its status still, and any changes which take place!!
I got to the city before anything opened but thoroughly enjoyed wandering the main streets through the early morning! Views across the harbour were absolutely gorgeous at this time!!
After a lovely wander I realised it was time to kick myself into gear and put last nights organisation into practice. I got onto the LINK bus of the city (a fabulous route throughout various areas) making my way to the Auckland War Memorial Museum. A deceptive name as although there is a focus on the past wars and conflict that have occurred, there was also a vast floor on the native status, plants, marine and land wildlife of NZ, a floor dedicated to the Maori, and a short term exhibition on Wildlife Photography of the Year 2011.
A quick look around by myself and I soon found the Volcano exhibition. Apt considering the situation, but also an area of my favourite interests being a geographer. It was fabulous, although some displays dampened my fears of an expectant eruption while others raised them!
After this I took to the WPotY2011 exhibit. It was fabulous. Even the young applicants were fantastic! Well worth a look!
Finally I was booked onto the Maori Cultural Performance and Tour. The performance really brought an insight into Maori lifestyle, songs, dances, and war/weaponry. We witnessed several song performances, with the most memorable (as always) the Haka. After this one of the warrior performers showed us around the Maori gallery bringing particular attention to tradition, Maori tattoos, genealogy, (religious) beliefs, housing and carving, weaving, and the origins and travels of the Maori including their canoes and ocean crossings.
A bus back to the city and a free shuttle I was on to the next stop of the day - Kelly Tarltons Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World. To be frank, I was highly disappointed. I remember going and loving it as a child, but did not feel this today. It was an expensive attraction, with 4 main sections. 1-a recreation of Scott's Antarctic hut - I found this fascinating and enjoyed looking at all the items carried for the scientific experiment - including an entire printing press. 2 - an Interactive room - largely based around children's activities, but there was opportunity for close up interaction with small marine animals - starfish etc. 3 - Penguin housing - whilst doing up the attraction, they seemed cramped and crowded in a small room, but the fluffy chicks were incredibly cute - although I felt a little sorry for then. 4 - aquariums and shark tanks. Seeing the sharks and huge sting ray was fascinating, along with various fish tank sections, and a whole room full of different species of Seahorse. This was by far my favourite part - although my camera battery ran out! I do hope to upload a few grainy images taken on my iPhone at some point though!!
Because I did not spend as long as planned at KTs, I was back to the city. It was nice to get back a little early however as It gave me the opportunity to walk the length of the city booking the rest of the activities for my week! More exciting days to come!! I am absolutely shattered now, back after a lovely stroll home from the bustop in the last night of the day. Time for dinner, shower and bed!

Another city, another zoo!

I find all of the animals we have on our planet so interesting and beautiful, so whilst in Auckland and able to visit such a big zoo I jumped at the opportunity!!
Dads cousin A, lives in Auckland and I organised to go with her and her two young boys (F and Al) today to the zoo!
I met them this morning and we arrived with incredibly sunny skies over the whole city!!
The enclosures were so open and lovely, with lots of space and vegetation - it was nice to see so many of the animals happy! We saw monkeys, lions, hippos, rhinos, otters, peacocks, and even went exploring through the tunnels and domes below the Meerkat enclosure. It was a fabulous day, with F's enthusiasm the whole day fantastic, leading us around the park. Poor little Al has been a bit poorly but I think he enjoyed a day outs and A really provided a great day out - so nice to catch up!
A quick cup of tea in the reknowned area of Ponsonby, and i hen I came back to the house and have spent the rest of the late afternoon planning the rest of my week - It is cram packed, I hope the weather holds out, and have some true tourist events to do this week!!
Another view of the Auckland sky line I know - but it really is fabulous!!

Waking up to the results from Super Saturday

Waking up to find out Team GB had won six gold medals overnight was incredible, but a shame I missed them!!
The talent at the Olympics this year seems to be incredibly, with many broken records proving this!
Today for me was another day of relaxation, but also new experiences! A leisurely start then saw me and Thea travel to Takapuna (North Shore) for a quick wander around the shops, and a Pita Pit for lunch (like subway but pittas - and so much better!) this also saw me taste falafel for the first time - yum!
After this, we headed to the stadium Mt. Smart - the home of Aucklands Mighty Warriors - the only national League team in NZ. Today they were to be playing the Sharks (from Aus.)
Unfortunately It was not their day, and they lost horrifically 45-4. Although a sad loss, it was a new experience for me having never watched League rugby. It was a much faster moving game, and with it being "Heroes Day" in NZ, the police, lifeguard, fireman etc. relay at half time added to the fun of the day, along with a helicopter landing in the middle of the pitch to deliver the match balls! Heading back to the house we were greeted by the most fantastic dinner from my auntie - Roast Lamb, followed by a treat she has been teasing my cousin with for 23 years and has never made - Baked Alaska. It was fantastic - although after realising quite how much ice cream we had each eaten, we were again as full as yesterday!! A great day! :)

A lazy Saturday....

Another lie in - (so enjoyable) and 3 hours with the cousin watching Come Dine with Me in front of the tele was the start to today! The plan was always for a relaxing day. At my auntie, uncle, two cousins and I, headed out for lunch at their local Italian - cafe cucina. The food was absolutely fabulous, and three courses later we were all stuffed and passed out on the sofas relaxing and snoozing until this evening. Thea and i headed out to the pub this evening, to watch the Chiefs (NZ) vs. Sharks (South Africa) rugby union match final for SupeRugby. It was nice to take in the atmosphere of a kiwi pub - although very different to home, and support a home team win!! It was then time to witness 3 Gold medals in 30 minites for Team GB. The Olympics being overnight here is messing up body clocks a little, but moments don't want to be missed!
On a final not, Whilst relaxing throughout today, we have heard baaing and various scuffling from the sheep outside, who have decided to take over the front garden and drive - 2 mothers and 4 lambs. 1 in particular has decided to sleep directly outside the front door!!

Ladies who lunch...

An amazing 12 hours sleep and a power shower and full, decent washing machine cycle and I finally feel almost human again.
After this I had a phonecall from my cousin who works in the city. She had time for a lunch break, and my Auntie flying back from Wellington was also up for the idea. Walking out of the estate I caught the bus (petrified I would miss it or get on the wrong one), and was soon on my way into the city. No matter how many times I see the Auckland skyline I love it and it's sense of familiarity is now welcoming and calming to me. I got off at what I hoped to be the right stop, and was correct and soon at the Viaduct, Auckland - meeting at the Soul Bar and Bistro. Lunch was a fabulous goats cheese salad - my favourite! A quick drive home with the family and a relaxed afternoon chatting, catching up on more Olympics, and a fabulous homemade curry later and we were soon watching some fabulous Rowing Finals love from London. Witnessing a kiwi gold and GBR bronze in the same race was a highlight.
Apologies for no pictures today.

Auckland Arrival

It was sad waking up to the knowledge it was the groups last few hours together. Breakfast was a 9am start, and time to reflect on the week. We had received an email from our original tour leader Tom, which was nice to read out. We all wore our new Pacific Discovery t-shirts handed out last night, and headed out in the freezing cold to the lake front for a final group photo. It was then really sad to wave off and say goodbye to Rachel. After this, the rest of us headed up the skyline gondola again, but this time to have a go at the Luge. Set up as little toboggans on wheels, you head down a concrete track. You get several gos, transferring from the finish line to the start on a chair lift. It had been booked for yesterday, but the wind was too strong. It was so much fun, and after two runs on the scenic track, we hit the advanced route. It has much steeper sections and dips and was so much fun! Although distracting for the time before we all flew out of Queenstown, it was soon time to leave. We walked back to the hostel, where 5 of us caught the first shuttle to leave. It was the first goodbyes to members of the group we had spent the whole month with. There were for sure some tears :(. We headed up to the airport and checked in. A quick hot chocolate later and it was time for me to board my flight - first to leave. The final goodbyes and I was through security and waiting at the gate. The flight was short and beautifully scenic. Passing up over the southern alps, and viewing the Franz Josef and Fox glaciers from above we're particular highlights. My uncle was awaiting my arrival in Auckland, as I am to spend the next 10 days there before heading back to the UK. We manage to squeeze my large duffel into his fan Audi TT, and were on our way. Hitting Auckland traffic at 4:30pm on a Thursday night was not ideal, but we were soon back at the lovely family home and tucking in to a Macaroni Cheese for dinner. Yum. It is great to sit down properly for the first time in weeks, and finally have the chance to catch up on the Olympics - which GBR are seeming to do incredibly well at this year. Time for a decent nights sleep!!

Skiing and surprises!!

Last full day of our Pacific Discovery tour today, and I can't believe how quick it has gone and how much we have had the opportunity to do! We got up early to catch the 8am bus to the slopes after collecting our ski gear. Being foreigners to the bus system and kiwi humour however, we got the wrong bus and spent a 45 minute ride followed by a 45 minute return to and from the wrong mountain before finally reaching Coronet Peak a little later than expected. A couple of runs in and I felt like I couldn't ski and wanted to leave. A small break and reconsideration of how to ski and I set off again, finding it much better and was more relaxed. I stayed on the same slope until leaving at 1:30 but thoroughly enjoyed it! I just wish I could have had the opportunity to go again - but hey! How many Brits can say they have skied on snow in August!
A bus back, and shower then time to head out in preparation for dinner at the skyline buffet restaurant at the top of the Queenstown gondola. The ascent for me was scary, but even more daunting seeing the platform on the way up for the Ledge Bungy I booked to do yesterday! We got up there and checked in for the jump. I was tearing up and crying but I DID IT. So proud of myself and so glad I can tick it off of my to do list! I do not however think I would do it again. Particularly as I spent all of dinner in shock shaking barely able to eat - depressing as the food was fantastic!!
After dinner was time for the swapping of our Secret Kiwi gifts. It was brilliant. Everyone put in so much time and effort constructing presents personalised for each other. I received a mini supplejack bow, carved along the side, from Sachin. More than anything, I felt proud and happy to hand over my own gift. :) a collage of events and places we had visited as a memoir. We got the gondola back down in the dark - Queenstown looking fabulous as ever, and headed to the hostel. Time to pack and settle down for the night. Final breakfast together will be tomorrow. :( x