Thursday, April 7, 2011

The North Island - NZ



Hi all so we are now in the last few days of our big Australia and New Zealand adventure and what a fun time its been. We landed in New Zealand on Monday and got a $400 fine as I accidentally forgot about an apple in our little ones snack bag in the main luggage. I totally respect the reason but felt the fine was harsh after the shock and upset we tried to make the most of being in The North Island. We stayed in Auckland a couple of days, nice city although not unlike any other city. We took the local ferry to Devonport pretty little seaside town and played in the park and hung out at local library to shelter from the rain. The local ferries in both Australia and New Zealand are an awesome and cheap way to travel.



This was a great lamb pie I got the first day in Auckland. 

View of Devonport

Then on Wednesday we hired a little car and drove 6 hrs South to stay in a beautiful farm near Havelock North. These are pictures of steam rising from the ground in the mountains!, this is different from the UK. I love the countryside here very much like the Lake District in Northern England and Scotland, also the Kiwi's make a good cup of tea :-)

This is me, Ros the owner of the farm and Jasmine this morning - this was a magical experience despite the long drive she was an amazing host, a former cattle and sheep farmer and also a World traveler. The old farm house sure was chilly last night though he he 



Me driving the little hire car. 

What an adventure we have had full of laughter and memories. I would say personally due to distance and expense I would holiday in my homeland the UK as its just as pretty and my family is there. 

Missed wifi on a regular basis free at home and reading all your blogs, will catch up with you all in a few days back home.

Much Love 






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35 comments:

  1. Welcome home-- loved reading about your adventures and seeing the photos! I've never travelled the area and would love to one day-- it is quite the trek from the States..

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  2. In spite of the most expensive apple in the world, it looks as if you had a grand time! New Zealand is on my must-visit, so thank you for sharing such lovely photos. 8-)

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  3. Gosh Rebecca, you're bringing me back to NZ again. It's such a beautiful country. The view is absolutely breathtaking.
    Have a safe journey & take care.
    Blessings, Kristy

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  4. Btw, so sorry about the fine! Well, just learnt a lesson. Never ever be careless again. So, remember to check your luagage twice before you locked it.

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  5. Gosh, sorry to hear, what a harsh fine.
    My friend the other day went to collect her weekly magazine and by mistake parked in the wrong parking space. It took her about 5 minutes to return to the car and when returned it was already clamped :( She had to pay £150 cash to unclamp her car (the magazine price went from £1 to £151).
    Thanks for your lovely clicks.
    Take care ♥

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  6. Thanks for sharing those pics Rebecca,seems like ur having lots of fun:)

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  7. NZ is so much fun to visit, are you going to the south island too?

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  8. $400??? I'm still mad! For a little apple? I mean maybe $100 and a stern yelling. Well, I'm glad the photos show you are having a blast.

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  9. Isn't it good to be home! Thank you for intoducing me to that part of the world; really enjoyed!
    Rita

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  10. I wanted you to let you know how i enjoy a blogger that does not have Word Verification.
    Rita

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  11. Oh Rebecca - all is so lovely - thanks you for sharing the photos. But $400 for an apple????

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  12. So jealous of your travels! Not jealous of the fine though....$400 seems a bit extreme.

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  13. What a shame about the fine. I, too, think it was excessive considering the circumstance.

    Glad you had a wonderful time. It was fun traveling with you :)

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  14. $ 400.00 is a lot, but live and learn, right?

    So glad to know you liked your stay at the farm. Thanks for all the pictures.

    Wishing a safe trip back home.

    Hugs.

    Mely

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  15. Sorry to hear that fine, anyway, look like that $400 fine did not spoilt your mood in this vacation.

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  16. Big hugs and it was great to see you in person! Kind of surreal.

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  17. $400.00 that is teep, I cannot beleive it..looks like your having a blast!! thanks for sharing

    sweetlife

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  18. thanks for sharing your photos wants me want to visit NZ and Australia too. Sorry about the fine, but I bet you still had a fun time knowing how positive your attitude is...
    sending you positive thoughts, so that fines like these may not happen again :)

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  19. $400 - that's crazy! You trip has been looking fabulous - I want to dig into that lamb pie BTW, looks awesome!

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  20. Hope you enjoy your last few days, but I bet it will be nice to get home :) Have a safe trip back!

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  21. ouch thats a big fine! unfortunately customs get pretty strict this side of the world. There is even a reality series on tv about people going through customs

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  22. Ouch! That fine seems excessive for an accidental apple!

    I'd love to visit NZ....really enjoyed your photos. Glad you've enjoyed yourselves on this wonderful trip. Such a great experience for Jasmine, too.
    Thanks for including us in your travels!

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  23. $400, that's ridiculous! I'm so tempted to go to New Zealand in the near future. This summer I will be travelling around UK.

    Thanks for sharing your pics!

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  24. Glad that you are having fun, R. The pictures are so much fun and lively.

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  25. $400 is a bit too much...the lamb pie looks great.

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  26. Wow, it's definitely beautiful...and I'm so sorry about that fine...what a downer. Looks like you're having a great time, though :D

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  27. Ah Rebecca, you could have visited my husband's Aunt near Auckland, if I'd known! How interesting that it is like the Lake District or Scotland, maybe that is why there are so many Scots there!

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  28. Look at that gorgeous cup of coffee in the photo! Wow! What was the absolute best thing about NZ food?

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  29. What a wonderful opportunity for you to be able to visit New Zealand, Rebecca! Love the photo tour! I'd be filling up on kiwis big time! Safe travels!

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  30. Too bad about the fine; that is very harsh.

    Thank you for taking us along with you. Sounds like you had a wonderful time. Would love to see New Zealand someday.

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  31. thanks again my lovely blogging buddies for traveling with us, back home safely may take a few days to get back into this time zone he he

    hugs

    Rebecca

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  32. Loved the north island of NZ, so beautiful and so much to do. Randomly it reminded me very much of Marin here in California but with sheep.

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  33. People do say that New Zeland is just like the UK only with nicer weather! Pleased to hear they can make a proper cup of tea and it does sound like a holiday to remember! Apart from the apple that is :) easily done!

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  34. oyster culture love California great State
    Ruth I guess thats why the Brits move there he he

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