New Zealand Northland 4 day Easter Break

Four days off work and finally a chance to get away from the bright lights of the city and see some of New Zealand!

It all started with plans to do Coromandel and Rotorua however we were not really prepared and it was booked solid. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise as Cyclone Cook was looming and the country was put on alert with Auckland and the Coromandel set to be in its path. The biggest storm in a generation they tell us.

A bit nervous about what to expect and a bit excited having never seen anything more than the windy Scottish weather we buckled in for the ride. Everyone was sent home early from work to be safe and told to stay off the roads, buy tinned food and stay home for Easter. We had already booked the car so we needed to do something...

NOTHING happened the cyclone missed us however still hit the poor people of Coromandel who had no power and closed roads. So we went north to Northland on our first adventure outside of Auckland. It was worth it.

My first experience in an automatic car and New Zealand roads. Turns out that there is not a straight road in New Zealand and most of them twist and turn over beautiful mountains it was pretty cool. Also an introduction to gravel unsealed roads (more of a dirt track than a road) that Google insists is the best route surely not Google!

Our first stop was Maungaturoto a small village with a cool hostel not the most glamorous but nice people. In most villages the lights go out at 7pm so there was not much to do at night but we did see the falls which were pretty cool

Then up with the sun and back on the road for a full activity day up towards Whangarei. We stopped off at Waipu for a nice breakfast and found a Scottish cafe but no haggis or square sausage however tartan cups a plenty ha ha.  So with full bellies it was off to Langs Beach which was beautiful followed by Mangawhai Heads.

From there we set off for Whangarei Quarry Gardens which is a must see for anyone passing through we trekked to the top for the best views saw some awesome local wild life and chilled out in the the picturesque surroundings

Then it was off to Whangarei falls another must see when passing through taking a nice short walk across the falls, to the bottom where you are surrounded by mist from the power of the falls

With the light against us we went to our Motel and were welcomed by a little cat who didn't seem too happy to be moved whilst we checked in. After getting settled we went into town for some drinks and dinner again really quiet but busy compared to Maungaturoto.

Another raising with the sun and we were back on the road to Paihia, we were really excited to see it and spent a whole day on a boat around the Bay of Islands. WOW its stunning. We were lucky enough to see a huge pod of dolphins but couldn't swim with them as they had babies. Then off to the islands themselves there are so many, all with interesting stories of Captain Cook and the first explorers.

We had the chance to stop off in one of the bays and roam around we trekked to the lookout point and got a great view. The water hear is just like a Thomas Cook brochure crystal clear and so warm.

David Attenborough would be proud we saw so much wildlife, the smallest Penguin in the world super cute and fast, Stingrays and thousands of tropical fish in huge schools.

We finally got to witness a bit of Cyclone Cook with some left over choppy seas. The waves came over the boat and we held on for dear life and go totally soaked but it was really fun. We also went out to the open ocean to the hole in the rock and the lighthouse.

Then it was back on the road through Russell Forest (never trust Google this is not a real road) We had to drive over small fallen trees, navigate the twisting cliff edge gravel road and only saw one other driver that was as crazy as us. When the locals laugh at your route you know there was an easier way. ha ha. I do recommend it though it makes you feel like you are a million miles from anywhere.

Loosing the light and feeling very lost we eventually arrived at our B&B it was so worth it. Set on a hill top overlooking a lake and with nothing for miles around it was everything we had hoped for and more. Star gazing by night country walks by day and the best butter, milk, cheese and eggs ever thanks to their farm.

And then it was over Easter break was done so with sunburned faces we took the three or so hour drive back to Auckland and normal life can't wait to get back to adventuring and out of the city again soon.

Our first month in sunny Auckland

Welcome to Auckland where when the sun shines it really shines and when it rains well you get the idea.

Auckland is beautiful and one of the most chilled out cities I have ever been to did not expect Auckland to be like this at all.

We arrived in late January which is summer here. Temperatures are around 25 and on a good day go into the 30's its always hot and we are now the proud owners of some interesting tan lines from our first week of sunburn. I am constantly covered in factor 50 but it doesn't help everyone burns here as there is a really thin ozone. Sunburn is a running joke in the hostel and a right of passage for travelers new to Auckland.

Our first month has been a world wind of activity from conquering Mt Eden our first volcano climb (its not that big but worth the hike to the top for some amazing views of the city) to chilling in parks with good friends.

Mount Eden - We walked for about an hour and then a 30 minute climb to the top but it was worth every step we need to do it again at sunset as I hear its amazing.

Then it was Chris's birthday we went to Waihiki the wine island. After a short boat ride we landed and it is spectacular one of my favourite places in Auckland so far. The island is a mix of nature walks kayaking and most importantly vineyards. I think you can guess which we did for his
birthday!

For $20 you can visit the vineyards and try some famous New Zealand wine, you get 5 glasses of wine in the tasting and then you move on to the next vineyard. There is a place called Vineyard Alley and you literally walk a few hundred yards to the next one. There was a tour but we decided to go it alone and take our time which was the right choice as there is so much to see we will need to do it over several trips.

Hungry in the sun and a little lost we found the Boathouse a little restaurant by the bay that served fresh seafood. The best seafood I have ever had (sorry Arbroath there is a new Smokie in town). We ate oysters that can only be found here and they were the business.

We went to Auckland Domain a huge park where there was a Lantern Festival for Chinese New Year, fireworks, lantern displays and martial arts displays we were in our element.

Albert park has become one of our favourite places, its in the middle of the busiest part of the city but you would never know its so peaceful. We even saw a possum last week! The birds here are so friendly they like to hang out with us in the sun and are often disappointed by our lack of picnic but seem to like us anyway.

We also have a new favourite Sunday BBQ place Parnell Pools. It is great we swim in the lake, laze on the beach and grass (but the bugs here bite so the sand is safer) and best of all free BBQ just bring your meat and a few friends and you're all set its perfect.


Talking of friends the hostel we stayed in was Frienz Backpackers Hostel. Frienz by name friends by nature. The people here are some of the most lovely and interesting folk I have ever met and we have made some good friends. Its always sad when they move on but we will meet again on the road when we also start to move around and travel. Some of the travelers are just like us and staying in Auckland for a while so we will have mates for the time we are here.

Hostel life is always interesting we were in a 12 bed dorm which was crazy at times. There is a free BBQ on the roof top where everyone spends their time on a Friday and its a great way to get everyone together before hitting the pub (Father Teds has become our local its cheap and everyone welcomes you. Being an Irish bar the food is good too! being friends with the Chef helps).

Apart for partying and touring Auckland we have been super productive. I started looking for work and it didn't take long before I had some interviews and a few job offers. I started my job on Tuesday and am now doing an internal recruitment role for an L&D company. They are about to implement a new system so will help with their LMS too. Its perfect I managed to tick the international experience box on the CV I had hoped for and still get to work on an implementation project. Its nice to use my brain again after a few months off work!

We also found an apartment. After hearing all the horror stories about how hard it was to find an apartment at this time of year we were a bit nervous but needlessly. We viewed a few apartments gave the agent some chat and got the flat we applied for straight away easy! We now live in Waterloo Quadrant its basically a fancy hotel but we have our own apartment through the back. Its great we can use the hotel facilities whenever we want which means we have a hot tub, sauna and gym whenever we want it. Living the life of luxury. We also have a bar with happy hour everything in Auckland is expensive so happy hour is great for a cheap beer after a long day.

The apartment itself is small but has everything we need, bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and balcony. Its home until August I ended up with a 6 month fixed term contract at work and a 6 month lease on the flat so we will hang out in Auckland until then.

We also are back in the world of WiFi, I spend my whole life searching for free WiFi so its nice to be settled and have my own so I can contact home and update my blog.

So there you have it month one in Auckland. I'm sure month two will be just as action packed we plan to go back to Waihiki, do the sunset at Mt Eden and take some weekend trips to places outside of Auckland can't wait!