Waitomo Caves Accommodation: Sun 9th Feb – Mon 10th Feb Sun 9th Feb Our two hour drive down from Rotorua to Waitomo Caves was rather uneventful apart from the fact we were notified by our recent host that Mark had left behind his cycling gear, rather expensive cycling gear at that, in the washing machine. Luckily… More

Rotorua Accommodation: Fri 7th Feb – Sun 9th Feb Fri 7th Feb It was another beautiful mild morning that Mark started with a bike ride and I started with a walk. We were heading down to Rotarua today but were on a bit of a time budget as we had a Rail cruising activity booked for… More

Mount Maunganui (Mauao) Accommodation: Thurs 6th Feb – Fri 7th Feb Thurs 6th Feb : Waitangi Day: a public holiday  It was a 3 1/2 hour drive down to Mount Maunganui (Mauao) but we stopped off along the way at Hot Water Beach, about 30 minutes out of Whitianga. Our timing was perfect: Hot Water… More

Whitianga / Coromandel Peninsula Accommodation: Tue 4th Feb – Thurs 6th Feb Tue 4th Feb  The trip from Paihia to Whitianga took 5 1/2 hours and was essentially 4 hours of driving south, from the Bay Islands and back down through Auckland, then about half an hour of heading east followed by an hour heading north… More

Paihia Accommodation: Sat 1st Feb – Tue 4th Feb Sat 1st Feb  It was clear and sunny for our 3 1/2 hr drive from Auckland up to Piahia in the Bay of Islands.  I had changed my mind a few times about where to locate in this area and eventually settled on the Piahia Beach… More

Auckland Accommodation: Wed 29th Jan – Sat 1st Feb Wednesday 29th Jan We made it across to Auckland, via QF3, without any glitches which, for us, was somewhat surprising. We usually have to deal with a lost bag or a lost bike and Mark being detained at security with his carry-on bag but we managed… More