Whale watching

New Zealand is famed for its whale watching, the water is so clean here you don’t have to go too far from the coast to find the marine wildlife.
Kaikoura is the place to visit in the South Island, due to the way we’d planned our route and an earthquake destroying most of the roads, we weren’t able to visit there.
Auckland was our back up! 


I got to try out my full waterproof outfit! 

Eyes peeled keeping a watch for any activity.

And pretend we were Jack and Rose…

The dolphins found us and started dancing around the boat!

A Bryde’s whale was also sighted! 

This was one hell of a way to complete my time here in New Zealand! That’s right, I’m coming home! Not for too long, I already have three more adventures lined up! 

So stay tuned for the next escapade! 

Lions

I couldn’t stay away from Laura too long. Just before I left she found out there were tickets available for the British Lions v the Blues…
She planted a seed.
Like a dog with a bone I found us some tickets and booked my flight back to see her! 

Happiest girls in the world right now!

Shameless self promotion! 

Although we lost, it was still an awesome atmosphere, incredible experience, and I am most definitely glad I stayed in New Zealand that little bit longer to be a part of it.

Laura suggested we stay behind after the game so we could meet the lions. Unfortunately, their egos must have been a little too bruised as they didn’t make an appearance, but we did meet some of the Blues!

Charlie Faumuina.

Sonny Bill Williams.

Scott Quinell, from Llanelli, back home! 

We have no idea who this guy is, and I’ve asked everyone I know, checked the Blues website, checked the Lions website-no idea! Answers on the back of a postcard if you know!

And last but not least, John Spencer the Tour manager. 
Just for the record, I learnt who all these people are by being here, I do not profess to know the first thing about rugby. I support Wales but wouldn’t know who they are if I bumped into them on the street! 

Touching a Kiwi

We had stayed in the Bunkdown hostel in Whangarei, where they told us about the Native Bird Recovery Centre, where you can actually touch a kiwi bird.
We thought an experience like this would cost quite a bit, but it’s only a $10 minimum donation to help keep the centre running.

This is Sparky, he was caught in a trap and lost his leg, he would have died in the wild, but here he has a full life, munching on worms and helping educate the children of New Zealand.

This was definitely one of he best experiences in New Zealand. Being so inexpensive too was a bonus for the budget traveler. 
Robert, the founder of the centre is full of facts and information, and his passion for the birds and their care shows. 
He found us worms to feed Sparky.

The centre helps all kinds of birds, the website even has a webcam to watch eggs hatching that have have been abandoned and rescued by the centre. 

I have included the link to the website as this was literally the best experience, and it helps injured animals.

Sparky

Whangarei

Only a short walk to see Whangarei falls, then a stroll around the town basin.

The local school kids had painted all the teams that will be taking part during the British Lion Tour.

I’d read about Mermaid pools in Matapouri bay. Bit of a climb to get there, especially in flip flops!

So worth it.

Crystal clear, lagoon-like pools were our reward for our trek.

The beach itself was alright too…

Had some fun playing with the slow-mo video.

This was mine and Laura’s last weekend together before I move onto my next travels, so naturally we had to have a drink to celebrate.

Didn’t take too many beers before we were subjected to unwanted male attention..

Naturally, not much sight seeing or even moving was done the day after.

Eastside

 
As we made our way south from Doubtless bay we discovered a chocolate factory and gelateria in Kerikeri. After sampling some chocolate and ice cream, we realized it was the sister factory of the one we visited in Marlborough in the South Island.

We camped in Paihia and woke up to views over the water.

Paihia is the place where it all began…with Waitangi Treaty Grounds.
This place was amazing, experienced another cultural show, had a free guided tour around the grounds and the museum was really well laid out which made it easy to understand.

The museum offers a free guided tour around the treaty grounds, made the most of that.

Giant ceremonial canoe which we were told Lady Diana had a ride in even though women are not supposed to go in the war boats.

The stump of one of the three Kauri trees. Photo doesn’t really show how huge this tree was. Two of me could have laid across it, I wanted to try, but this is sacred ground and tomfoolery of that sort is disrespectful.

The flagstaff with the three flags associated with New Zealand, the Union Jack, the Maori flag and the flag we know and love today.
Onward south with a stop off to the Hunderwasser toilets.