Alas, the photographer was too tipsy to do his job last night, so you'll have to take my words for it. We walked into the Waterfront Lodge & Backpackers after ten pm. a few nights ago, and were ecstatic to find they had one room left. It's the Queen's Birthday holiday here, for all of … Continue reading Na-Pier One.
Month: May 2009
Wrapping up Wellington
I'm writing you tonight from the comfortable lounge at our new hostel in Napier. However, before I move into that, I MUST tell you about our final day and a half in Wellington. On Thursday, Nick (one of our hosts) was off work and offered to drive us around town and show us some sights. … Continue reading Wrapping up Wellington
Wellington and the US Embassy
Our first couch surf has been a resounding success. Nick and Kat (our hosts) have been very generous and kind to us. They have a partially-made basement area with a nice big bed (with lots of blankets) and a little bathroom and everything. Not only that, but Nick and I threw down on some Need … Continue reading Wellington and the US Embassy
Itenerary Update
We've made a decision regarding our stay in NZ. Looking at our budget, if we stay as long as we anticipated we'll be over budget. Not only that, but we're not going to be able to enjoy the South Island (which everyone here says is where the REAL New Zealand is at) in the winter … Continue reading Itenerary Update
Update for the sake of update
Not a lot has happened in the last few days, but it's been a while since we updated, so here goes my attempt at bringing you up to speed. As you may know, we found a FANTASTIC weekly rate at this hostel, which averaged out to less than USD $10 per day if we stayed … Continue reading Update for the sake of update
Long Walks and Helicopter Rides
What an exhilarating few days! Wednesday we decided to go for a walk. We started along the lake walkway when we decided to walk to nearby Mt. Tauhara. According to the city map, it shouldn’t be that far of a walk, not much farther than the lake road was. No problem! So we set out. … Continue reading Long Walks and Helicopter Rides
Centennial
((This is our 100th post!)) Updates from Taupo - quick bites 1. Weekly Rates RULE. We are at a slightly rundown, but friendly, backpacker called Go Global. It's about a block from the lake, which incidentally is the largest lake in Australasia. It was created when a volcano went boom, apparently. Missed that, thankfully. Weekly … Continue reading Centennial
Rotorua
Rotorua is predominantly a tourist town, predicated on its impressive thermal areas and lovely lake, which serves as a national wildlife reserve. New Zealand has so far proven more expensive than expected, but the last day or so has underlined… well, to be blunt, what we’re doing wrong. First, lodging is an almost inescapable problem. … Continue reading Rotorua
Rotorua and etc.
Today was a good day. We got up after a wonderful night of uninterrupted sleep (private room in this hostel, and it’s not freezing, and we have blankets!) and had breakfast. Apple + Granola Bar each. We set out this morning on our first walk, probably the easiest one in the country, around the lake … Continue reading Rotorua and etc.
Kiwiland
Ahoy! I'm sitting in the internet cafe area of our hostel at the moment. We're in Rotorua, NZ. It's a little over an hour from where we berthed. But that's the end of the story. Let's start a little earlier. Once we got off the ship, we said our goodbyes and got a bus to … Continue reading Kiwiland
Rhys' Pieces 