16th May 2017 Today, we were heading further north to Waipoua Forest, renowned for being home to New Zealand’s largest living kauri tree, Tane Mahuta, the ‘Lord of the Forest.’ We were eager to discover why it attracts so much admiration. The journey was approximately 200 kilometres, and with an early start, we arrived at… Continue Reading

14-15th May 2017 That evening, we dined at a takeaway outlet called ‘Roast’. We had seen these dotted all over New Zealand but had initially dismissed them as a local curiosity, catering solely to Kiwi appetites. What an experience it turned out to be! A fast-food outlet specialising in roast dinners, beef, chicken, pork, or… Continue Reading

14th May 2017 A visit to Hobbiton was expected to be a highlight of our trip, and it certainly didn’t disappoint. The day began beautifully, with a clear blue sky and warm sunshine greeting us as we woke. We enjoyed a noisy but free night’s camping. While the occasional sound of a passing lorry disturbed… Continue Reading

13th May 2017 It rained all night, and when we rose at 8:15 am, it was still drumming on the roof. By the time I finished breakfast and had a shower, the rain had started to ease, and blue skies could be seen over the sea. It was such a shame that we were heading… Continue Reading

12th May 2017 I suppose we’ve been lucky so far, sunny days and hot afternoons are not typically the norm in New Zealand during the winter. Last night, as we drove towards our campsite on Ohawe Beach, we could see Mount Taranaki just a few miles away, standing tall against the surrounding landscape with its… Continue Reading

11th May 2017 We both slept amazingly well, despite choosing an unpowered campsite just 30 metres from the sea on one side and a railway track the same distance on the other. Surprisingly, three night trains and the full ebb and flow of the tide later, we woke refreshed and ready for another adventure. A… Continue Reading

10th May 2017 It was an uncomfortable night. Last night’s cider and game of cards played a full flush, resulting in several trips to the loo for both of us. Stumbling through unfamiliar surroundings in the dark, with a certain sense of urgency, can often end in disaster. Somehow, we managed to avoid the usual… Continue Reading

9th May 2017 We were up and about by 7 am, along with the local rabbits. I couldn’t help but wonder if they had been munching grass all night. While I was in the shower, Jamie managed to hand-feed one of them, using his breakfast cereal, of course! Returning to the White Island Excursion office,… Continue Reading

8th May 2017 Another warm, sunny day. After showering, we set off early and headed south towards Whakatane. The scenery gradually transformed from pleasant, Shire-like rolling hills to flatter land, dotted with kiwi fruit orchards. In the distance to our right, volcanic peaks occasionally punctuated the horizon. We’ve both been struck by how tidy everything… Continue Reading

7th May 2017 Jamie was up early, watching the sunrise, while I indulged in a few more precious minutes of blissful sleep, snug in my wonderfully cosy sleeping bag. Our camper van is equipped with duvets, blankets, and pillows for four people, but I think I’ll stick with the sleeping bag I brought along. The… Continue Reading