Kia Ora...

...from New Zealand!

Well, we got here safe and sound... but raggy and shattered after a 24 hour flight - a stop over is definitely called for next time! Singapore airport looks pretty cool too although we didn't get much time to look round.

When we finally arrived we spent the first night in Auckland, which was suprisingly very British! Our first day was quite busy going to orientation's, sorting bank accounts and phones etc... Incidentally we now have a kiwi phone number - 0064 210 275 2023 - don't forget though, there is a 12 hour time difference - no 3am wake-up calls please!!

Monday night we arrived at Pam & Mike's in Piha in the middle of a storm which was a little bit scary as we are staying in a small cabin on a hill with a tin roof! But as the sun came up the next morning, the view was absolutely amazing - something that no amount of rain could dampen!

The cabin is ace - we have a gas stove, microwave, heater and a TV, which we really weren't expecting - Shortland Street is so addictive! We have running water outside on the veranda for washing up etc... and our toilet facilities are what is known as 'the long drop'!! (i.e. a hole in the ground.)

Tuesday, we met Tim, Anna and Scott (Pam & Mikes, son, daughter and partner) who are all really friendly and helped us settle in loads. For example, pointing us in the direction of the RSA (local pub), which does beer for just over a quid a pint and ace veggie food.

We also met the pets - sheep (Snowy and twins Lulu and Lulu), the dogs (Bossie, Bailey, Roxy and Spike) and cat (Millie), who are all gorgeous, but more about them another day...

We're job sharing with another couple - Jamie and Kyle from Canada who are really nice - they've already got a van sorted so they've helped us out with lifts and advice (they've been here a couple of months already) which, again, all really helps!

We're doing day on day off shifts so managed to do some exploring on Wednesday which was absolutely amazing. We didn't have to go far, just a 10 minute walk down to the beach and then a trail up a hill which took us to a view point that blew us away.

We're in Henderson today - the nearest town and hopefully tomorrow we'll get a car or campervan sorted... Yey - we'll be mobile in NZ!

It's scary to think our first week is already over - there's so much to see and do here and we're already looking forward to the next 51...

To view our pics so far, click here.... oh, and btw... our camera broke nearly as soon as we landed in Auckland, so the pics quality isnt great unfortuantely as we're relying on phone cams for the time being... boo!