On March 4^th we did arrived safe and well in Auckland. The flight was super, Emirates airlines treated us very well. No complains. We did had one night stop in Dubai and did receive a voucher of the airline company for a stay in the Hotel, Breakfast was included. The next day they brought us to the airport and the flight continued. After a short stop in Brisbane we did arrive at 14:30 on March 4^th in Auckland.

Our friends did pick us up, what gave us a warm welcome feeling. They brought us to the city Oaks Hotel were they also stayed for one night. On the first arrival we did went for a dinner in the harbor and after that we did went back to the Hotel. The next day, after a good night sleep, we did went with a boat trip out of the Harbor. Did after that some site seeing with the car and had a nice dinner on 138 meter height in the Sky Tower of Auckland.

The next day our friend drove back to Omokoroa and we did pick up our car in the ACE Car service. We could go on our way!

Our first stop was in Paihia, we had a great stay in the Aloha resort for 2 night with a nice view on the bay of Island. After having our Dinner in the Harbor we did went to bed, still a bit tiered.

After having our breakfast we did drive to the Treaty ground of Waitangi, were the Maori signed the treaty in 1834. The treaty ground was really impressive. The afternoon we went with a ferry to Russel, a city which was in the old days the capital of NZ. It seems also here that the time had stand still. Which is in almost whole NZ. The people are here very friendly and the food was nice and not expensive.

The next two day we did stay in Whangarei, also a city on the Bay of Island. Very quiet, People said that is was very busy on the road today. But we saw about 4 cars in one hour. That is there way of saying busyhaha

We did went to the Waipaou Kauri Forest to see the oldest tree and biggest kauri tree. 1200 years old and 52 meter high and 13 meter broad. It was really impressive to see! We walked through the wood for a view hours, it was nice and relaxing and so quit!

After our walk through the wood we also visit the Waimate Mission Post, Rev Marsen build this in 1830 , in 1845 it was destroyed by British Soldiers and rebuild in 1960.

It was a nice stay in Whangarei at the B&B of Glennis McSherry. We could finally sit on the terras with a nice glass of NZ wine. When we woke up we did have a spectacular view of the Bay, we could hardly come out of the bed.

The next 5 days we spend some time with our friends in Omokoroa. Nancy and Graeme have a great house with a view of the bay of Plenty. It is nice to see the sunset. We did visit Hobbiton, I as a lord of the rings fan was really excited to see it. Everything was built in details. Very cool! A guide told us along the excursion the story of the Hobbits, the houses of Sam, Frodo and Gandalf. We did make a lot of pictures. I am still trying to get them on the site but it is not always working. Sorry for that, photos can also be found on my Facebook.

Further we visit Hell Gate in Rotorua, a mudd pool which smelt like hell. I think the pictures will give you an impression of the smell. We also visit Kiwi Wild Park to see finally the Kiwi, which is a night animal and there are only a view 100 birds left. In the Park to try to bring the new wants back in to the wild. A kiwi bird is very nice to see.
At 19:00 hours we did went with a bus to Tamaki, a Maori Village. We did hear about the history of the Maori and the future. Music and Dance and a nice dinner completed the evening.

Tomorrow almost 2 weeks are over, time running really! We are now in Taupo were we stay in a nice B&B.

I will try to inform you further of our trip!

Best regards, M&H