Auckland exploded into life for our final week after the All Blacks somehow managed to sneak a victory against the plucky French. I scored a ticket to the final, Katie was there too “working” but didn’t manage to catch much of it while being rushed off her feet for the final time. AB fans are normally a quiet bunch mostly paranoid that the worst may happen and they will actually get beaten, but luck prevailed and New Zealand heaved a huge sigh of relief and the party began - the week went past in a blur of parties/leaving nights mixed in with selling off our belongings in Auckland that wouldn’t fit into our bag, as we begin to get used to life on the road again.

Our mum’s were also on route as we counted down the dates for there impending arrival into New Zealand as they hopped from Scotland to Dubai to Sydney for a few nights until they get a glimpse into our lives as we take them on our “Kiwi” Odyssey trip, keep an eye on the blog to track their progress

They arrived on Tuesday afternoon to the Auckland monsoon experience and checked them into their hotel before having a kiwi meat feast finished with the obligatory chips and dip!  On Wednesday we had a whirlwind tour of Auckland including Mount Eden, Auckland Domain, CBD, Viaduct and a quick trip up my work for the skyline vistas. Our friends from Dundee were arriving also for a quick catch-up as they arrived after being in Africa for 6 weeks, was great to see even more familiar faces, we could have been mistaken that we were back in Scotland.

We left Auckland after having a great 10 months, meeting some great people and we will hopefully return again, with Vuvu in hand as our travel companion so keep an eye out for him on our travels (thanks Inken and Scoobs.)

We have hired a station wagon which has been renamed “Nessie” for the 4 of us to tour around NZ with our first port of call in Rotorua also known as “Sulphur City.”  Home to spurting geysers, steaming hot springs and exploding mud pools. Quite a touristy feel around the town with various activities available to whisk your cash away from your wallet, we opted for a walking tour followed by an afternoon in the Polynesian spa. Opened in 1882 with 40+ pools ranging from 36-42 degrees on the lakes edge each being beneficial to skin and muscles, hopefully Sheila’s knee gains full benefit from here!

Our first night activity here was the Mitai Maori Village for a taste of Maori culture and sample the hangi. It’s family run so maintains the personal touch as they enlightened us to the indigenous culture of NZ. The hangi is basically their food which is cooked under ground for 3 hours which was scoffed down after the showing of the Haka, dances, songs and a demonstration of weaponry all intertwined with stories throughout.  Very touristy and not one New Zealander was present apart form the “workers” but was actually well worth it! It was topped off with a night tour into a Kiwi Sanctuary to see these elusive birds, although we now know they are actually mammals and not birds!

We said goodbye to out lovely wee bach for our short hop over to Napier in Hawkes Bay via Lake Taupo. Stunning vistas and gorges whizzed by and even though we almost ran out of petrol in the middle of nowhere we rolled in bang on time to visit Mission Estate Winery for a spot of lunch and some tastings. It was also Guy Fawkes night so the night was spent enjoying a Thai meal on the waterfront and watching the fireworks.

Napier was destroyed in the 30’s by a huge earthquake and subsequently rebuilt in Art Deco style giving it the nickname “Art Deco Capital of the World” but to be honest it wasn’t that awe inspiring but well worth a visit, especially to the purchases from Mission Estate which we shall enjoy further down the line.

We have just arrived in our last destination in the North Island, Wellington. We have both been here before so I have left the girls to shop in the city/ view Te Papa museum  while I went for a run up Mount Victoria which has stunning vistas for the whole bay, tiring but well worth it. We leave early tomorrow morning on the Interislander to Picton and this is where our trip really starts. Everyone has always told us we will fall in love with the South Island so we have the majority of this trip on the South Island to enjoy all it has to offer so stay tuned……..