Today we went for breakfast in the nice cafe shop that is kid friendly.

The weather has been rainy but very warm.

We drove around abit today and looked at different areas. Tauranga is nice, but we like the area we are staying in best, next to the beach (Papamoa).

We went for a walk near the Mount, there was a beach that was full of shells and a few rock pools.

In the evening we went down The Strand again and met up with Paul and Carolyn Gent (British Expats). We had a good night out with them. Carolyn is a ward manager at the local hospital and have been oevr in NZ for about 15 months. They love it. One of their daughters hopes to come out soon to live.

The food is still brilliant. But they do give you so much, its all fresh and they artistic things with it. So it also looks really nice. I am yet to finnish a meal.

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This morning we went out for breakfast.

We went out into the middle of a housing estate (Papamoa) and there was a shopping complex, just like a out of town designer complex. Loads of little shops, cafe's, fruit & veg shops, clothes stores and a Cheesecake shop (Mmmmmm........Cheesecake...).

Anyway we sat in a cafe (Koffee Kulture), half the cafe was sectioned off for kids. It had a large screen TV with kids stuff on and a play area, its was wicked, our kids would have loved it. The other half had leather sofa's, coffe tables and tables and chairs. The place was packed with families. Parents having coffee and the kids playing happily away. Great.

We really enjoyed our breakfast. I had cereal, fresh fruit salad and yoghurt. Cost $7.

Around lunch time we hired a small plane for about an hour or so.

The idea was to head up the Cormandel peninsula but the weather was rubbish so we had to turn back and head off to Rotorua and the volcano area. We went past "The Mount" which look spooky.

The Volcano area was all smoking and looked really cool (hot actually ).

There was only me, Jack and the pilot in this small plane and the pilot look about 3 years old!!!

The views were amazing and almost impossible to describe. I have never seen anything in my life like it. The landscape was litterally like Hobitdom. We also went over some amazing houses, vine yards, avo farms ect. Stunning is the only word I can think of.

After the flight we went down to the beach for a walk. This place is like the surf capital of NZ. There were also loads of kids body boarding and that. Looked great, and so did the blokes in their wet suites

We had a BBQ at the campsite tonight. Chicken kebabs, king prawns and salad. Washed down by a nice bottle of Moet.

Everyone here appears to watch Coronation Street and the main topic of conversation is Jamie Olivers school diners, they cannot believe what the kids in the UK turn their noses up at.

Oh my God. I couldnt believe my eyes tonight. When we were having diner we could see into the capsite kitchen area. In there were loads of kids all doing the washing up and chatting away!!! There are about 8 sinks and all but one of them had a kid doing the washing - WOW.

It's 21:40 and me and Jack are sat outside and all the kids are in the pool area. The eating area as turned into a carry out bar. Here the off licence shops have a giant walk-in fridge room so your beer is off the self cold.

Today we packed up the tent and headed south to Tauranga.

The guy (Kevin) gave us £30 back because we left a day early. Thats was nice of him.

The drive down was breathtaking!

We got lost in Auckland for about 10 minutes but Jack asked a guy who then showed us the way- we followed him.

It was nice at Katikati. There was a gold mine there with a stream train you could go on through the rocks.

We arrived at Tauranga after a 5 hour drive. The Tauranga area is really 3 towns, Tauranga City, Mount Maunganui and Papamoa either linked by a bridge or land. The area is very busy (for NZ anyway), with a small port and industrial area on the way to Mount Maunganui and our camp site (Cozy Corner).

Our Campsite is in Mount Maunganui but is nearer Papamoa really. This area Mount Maunganui/Papamoa is really expensive for housing compared to other areas. There is one beach house (stunning) which is on the market for $8 million. We didnt like the colour of it so have withdrawn our offer to purchase it.

The campsite is nice with BBQ's, heated swimming pool and every home comfort.

In the evening we met up with James and Lindsey (mod off the other site) for a meal and a couple of drinkies. We went down "The Strand" area of Tauranga City. Its on the sea front with loads of bars and restaurants, its just around the corner from the main shopping area. Its by far the most touristy place we have seen in NZ.

BITS CUT OUT HERE FOR PRIVACY REASONS (THERE PRIVACY).  The meal was nice and James and Lindsey where great company.

The food really does taste different here. I dont know if its because its all seasonal or what, but it is much better that the UK.

We got up this morning and it was still wet from the storm.

We went out in the car and picked up some bread and cheese and set off for Dargaville. It was a bit rundown, but not like at home. We walked through the main high street which looked like something out of small town USA.

This afternoon the weather cleared up a bit so we went back to Whangarei Falls. There were loads of families down there walking.

The Falls looked great with the extra water from the rains.

I am totally amazed by the amount of birds and insects there are around here and the noises they make.

Today we went up North on Highway 1 to Paihia, Russell and Waitangi.

We went upto the Treaty house and around the gardens. To be honest it didnt really do anything for us. Its a 160 year old wooden house where some English blokes stitched up the Maoris who thought they were getting one over on the English. The Maoris lost. The gardens were nice though.

We then went across on a small car ferry to Russell which took about 5 minutes. The weather has turned very dull, well the sky is grey, not its usual bright blue, but it is still warm. We have been told that there is a severe weather warning in place as there is a tropical low. Great.

For lunch we had fish and chips in Russell. They cooked them to order. They were really hot and crispy. Tasted good too. We ate them on a picnic bench down by the harbour/beach front.

There were lots of little shops and a couple of eating places that looked nice.

We went into a small shop in Russell and as soon as we walked in the shopkeeper asked "What is Auckland like?". He can spot an Aucklander off a mile away   The whole shop ended up chatting to us.

On the way back we watched some kids in the sea when it was raining.

We took the coast road back from Russell, this took twice as long as the highway, but it was worth it as the veiws were great. We pulled off the road into some layby's and took some photo's.

About half way back again we pulled off the road and met a couple from Canada. They had also pulled off the road to do a spot of fishing.

We met up with Darren and Rachel again in the evening at the Dickins pub. But before they arrived I got chatting to a girl who worked in the bar. She turned out to be 16 years old, but she was so mature. She told me that sometimes it gets busy in the bar and they need to find you a seat (they dont stand at the bar???). She also told me that they are not allowed to serve anyone that is or appears to be drunk. If they do the person doing the serving gets a $2000 fine and the pub owners a $10,000 fine. For that reason they never see drunks (they have now ).

She also mentioned how great her school is.

A lot of people drink coffee in the bars and all seem to serve food. All the pubs/bars are also smoke free. Also there isnt a closing time they just shut up when it gets quiet.

We went to a Thai restaurant with Darren and Rachel. There was a few kids in there with there families which was nice. It was very busy and the food was great. It cost $20 per main course. We left at 1030 and were the last to leave!

During the night the storm hit. This just turned out to be very heavy rain, it was still warm though. We got a good nights sleep in our little tent.

Today we went for a drive upto One Tree Point where they are going to build a Marina, shops ect. Most of the homes are built upon a golf course and look lovely. There are so many amazing designs of houses its incredible. Kevin McLoud (Grand Designs) would have a stiffy looking at some of these houses.

We stopped off for petrol and a young petrol attendant filled up for us. It cost $35 for a full tank. It was like going back in time.

We went to Darren & Rachels house for a BBQ at lunch time.

My God!! Their house is so gorgeous.

It is out in the country. Its got a long drive with a paddock at the front and another at the rear. The house is cream with a green roof and it was built in Auckland in the 1800's. The front paddock had a orchard full of Peach, Grapefruit, Lemon and Lime tree's, lovely.

At the rear paddock we met Cuddles.

This sheep is more like a dog! It comes running from the bottom of its field when someone arrives. Oh and it eats grapefruit out of your hand.

Darren & Rachel took us out towards Tutukaka and some beaches nearby.

We stopped off at a cafe but it was closed  However they still served us

Darren and Rachel made us a BBQ at their place.

 Steak which was from an home kill and shared amongst friends. Its was gorgeous.

Darren also smoked some chicken. Jack was in heaven and wants a smoker and will bug the hell out of me until he get one (yes I will). The salad was really nice a bit like the French (fresh with lots of flavour) stuff we get when we go to Jack's  parents house. We had a laugh at Darren who was trying to shoot a rat with his gun. This rat keeps trying to eat the peaches on his tree.

Time went really fast and and when we left Jack picked some grapefruit from the tree's to bring back to the tent. Today was a fantastic day.

Today we wnt to Whangarei Heads.

Jack was dissapointed at first as the first beach looked out over the Oil Refinery. The toilets were not very nice (but they did have paper in ).

We took breakfast with us and sat ate fresh bread and cheese on a picnic table. Every beach we went to today had fantastic picnic tables and BBQ's to use. How neat.

We went further up Whangarei Heads (Ocean Beach) this is where the real beaches start. There were only a few people on them and they are patrolled by life gaurds. We got talking to a couple on the beahc who had a baby goat with them !!!

We climbed up a massive sand dune and and looked out at the coast and the next beach along.

Next we went to a cafe and had drinks. This was on the way to our next destination along the Heads. There are no cafe's or shops on the beaches anywhere. We sat over looking a massive lake with a strong smell of flowers around it. Its Saturday so there are a few young families around having ice-cream.

The next beach we went to (Pataua south & north) was at the top of the Heads and slightly North (that would be Pataua North then ). It looked like a pebble beach at first, but when you got to it, it was full of sea shells. I was collecting Scallop, Oyster and Mussle shells.

This little inlet was so shallow loads of young children were around playing in the water and it was only ankle deep and they were about 30m out.

The seashore had chalet type properties along it. They looked like holiday homes meters from the beach. The children were playing in canoe's, fishing and jumping off the bridge a bit further on.

There was a second beach just around the corner and people were surfing on it. These two beaches were a total contrast. We walked over a footbridge where some kids were jumping into the water and then letting the current wash them up at the shore. We ate a picnic of King Prawns down there.

We went out that evening into Whangarei to a pub called the Dickens. It was very busy for a Staurday night according to the locals, there were about 15 people in there  This was a pub along the main drag.

We met a couple Jack had contacted off the net in there, Darren & Rachel "Enfield" on expats (more about them later).

There were no kids hanging around. I asked about this and Rachel said that the police and council wont let them sit around the town because they look untidy. Its the main summer holidays and there is not a group of kids in sight hanging around.

We had the best ever breakfast in the hotel. There was everything, fruit, cheeses, fish, cereal and the usual cook fair. The service was fantastic. They must have asked me 6 times if I wanted a coffee top up.

We both said it was the best hotel we have ever stayed in.

We left Auckland and travelled up to Whangarei in the north.

All the way up we both kept saying, “Look at that”. The landscape was totally breath taking.

On the way up there were load of places that looked like garden centers but they were fruit and veg shops (pick your own).

We stopped off at Bream Bay. It had hardly any people on it at all. The homes were to die for, over looking the sea. The sand was clean and white with rock pools scattered around. Young children playing in the nude!  I used the toilet on the beach. My God they were cleaner than any pub loo and it had toilet paper!!!

We then went on to Whangarei and stopped off at the information center. We had drinks in the café there. The place was packed with young families

We are staying at the “Top Ten” holiday park. Our tent was easy to pitch, it is under a tree with a picnic table next to it. We have a view of the bush.

We went to Whangarei Falls and went on a walk for over an hour. The Falls were gorgeous; it was so quiet and peaceful. We watched a duck and some yellow ducklings for a while then went for our walk. It was like walking through Rain Forests then a meadow and then Canada and back to Rain Forest. We followed a stream and all you could hear (except for the water) were the birds and Crickets along with the strong smell of flowers.

It seems that New Zealand is full of Wildlife and the air smells of flowers everywhere. You can even smell the flowers when driving the car.

On our walk when we met people everyone said “hello”, even the young children.

We had an evening meal out in a local style pub “Woodzies” (campsite bloke recommended it). We got chatting to the locals who came over and introduced themselves to us!!!

They were mad, quote “get your fucking arse up here mate”. Translated into “come here and have a seat and a chat”. They wouldn’t let us leave, getting us drinks, hugging, shaking hands along with loads of laughing ect.

They really like the English. They tend to tell you where their families are from in the UK.

We had a massive meal- fish, scallops, chips and salad. It was really cheap. Scallops are nothing special or out of the ordinary, they serve them battered in every fish and chip shop.

The flight from Singapore was good. Our flight past took us over the top of OZ. We could see parts of the Barrier Reef from the plane. The last hour of the flight seemed to take forever. New Zealand looked gorgeous from the air, loads of trees, hills and colourful homes. The sea looked a really bright green.

They went through everything at the airport with a fine toothcomb. Everyone who went through passport control was asked loads of questions. And they still let us in.

We picked up the hire car ok; it’s a bit on the small side.

We could not find the hotel (Stamford Plaza) at first. The locals that I asked for directions where really friendly. One guy put his arm around me and went out of his way to find someone on the street that knew where it was!

There are loads of females that look like men here. Both me and Jack have made this mistake already!

The Stamford Plaza hotel is fantastic. We have been upgraded to a suite. It is massive. The room was full of lit candles and the bedroom had red rose petals in the shape of a heart scattered around it. A large bottle of Moet was in there in a ice stand next to the bed.

In the lounge area our room there where Strawberries that had been dipped in Chocolate and a plate of Sushi.

The bathroom has got rose petals in the bath and candles along with a Bulgari pamper pack. The final touch was a bottle of wine with a label of love on it!!! “With love Jack”.

After a shower (bathed later) we went into town. We are right in the centre next to Sky Tower. We walked along the harbour. The town is very clean and really quiet. You walk around and you can hear birds singing. It’s a bit like being in town on a Sunday afternoon, but it’s the middle of the day in the week. It feels really weird. And its so clean.

We went and sat in a park (Albert Park). It was lovely, really warm and very relaxing.

This is Charlie's diary that I have copied out from our trip to North Island 2007.

No animals where hurt during this visit (well a rat got shot but I think it lived :frown: ) but a few Kiwi's where miffed :D

Wednesday Jan 3rd

We have now arrived in Singapore (Changi).

The flight was great except a girl who was about 10 sat next to us and threw up all over the seats.

Jack is in techno heaven here in this airport. There's Xbox 360's and free Internet consoles all over the place and loads of gadget shops.

We have just had dinner - noodles. It cost about £3 each including a drink.

I have just been beaten up by a one legged local guy. I had a 30 min massage. It was fantastic. It cost $35 about £10. I had my head, neck, back and arms done.

It is very hot here. Its over 30 degrees and incredibly humid. Jack went out onto the roof top garden and melted.

There are also 2 free cinemas and the shops are fantastic. I have just been into the Gucci and Prada shops looking at bags - if only.

Jack is checking out a HD camera. Costs about £10,000. Bless he looks like a boy with his nosed pressed up against the glass. How long can you spend looking at a camera? Sad git.