Auckland

So, here I am in NZland. The weather has been pretty messy for the last few days but I hear its getting better (eventually). My first port of call was to the countrys' biggest city - Auckland. My digs were right inthe city centre. Whilst tehre I met up with some fellow backpackers who were to start their bus travel on the kiwi experience, we found out to our surprise that apparently the bus has a bit of a 'reputation' as being the 'party' bus. I doubt il be able to keep up with too many boozy 18 year olds going out all the time (now I really do sound like an old man). My ticket will take me right around north and south island and works as a 'hop on and hop off' ticket which is handy.

On the first day I joined a group visit to the main museum of Auckland. It was excellent inside. It ranged from Maouri culture to the role of kiwis in the war and lots of natural history too. We walked past the iconic sky tower and resisted the oppurtunity to bungy off the side of it. Everywhere you go theres adverts for bungies, zorbing, skydives and any other 'extreme' sport that someone's just made up. When talking to other travellers the general consensus is to head out of Auckland as quick as you can. Then as soon as you've left the concrete jungle behind you can take in some real New Zealand - and there sure is alot of it to explore...