Peters Travelss Blog on RealTravel

Quito journal: Quito

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 13:06:39 GMT

I arrived here early on a Sunday Morning to the unexpected quite that I have been unacutomed to in South America. Having booked in the secret garden in Quito I an happy to say that this hostel certainly meets expectations, set on the edge of the old town it overlooks the historic quarter with spectacular views from the roof terrace, with evening meals and breakfast making it very sociable.

Most of the first day being spent wandering through the old streets and visiting Plaza de la Independencia and Plaza Santo Domingo and listening to a local bands play, being a Sunday the plaza´s are ...

Ecuador journal: Quito

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 13:04:27 GMT

After a year back home I arrived in the capital of Equador for 3 weeks break. Having booked into The Secrete Garden in Quito I duly arrived on time. I intended to spend a couple of days here before joining a trip to the Galapagous then returning to Quito before heading for Cotopaxie and perhaps the Orient of Cloud Forests before returning home.

Bangkok journal: Bangkok, Thailand

Tue, 09 Jan 2007 14:21:33 GMT

I arrived in Bangkok to the expected noise and hectic life that this city is known for. All at 10.30 a night, so It was nice to arrive in the quiter Thewes quarter to a comfortable room in a small guest house with aircon.

Next morning I had to move guest houses as there are no spare rooms for tonight, the one just along the alleyway seemed fine plus they could arrange for my Visas to be done which is great news, although I shall have to wait 2 extra days as there is a Budda festival on that means a 2 day public hoiday. So I had 4 days of time rather than the planned 2.

So once ...

Melbourne journal: Grampian Mountains National Park, Victoria

Thu, 05 Oct 2006 13:11:05 GMT

The Grampians are well known for the array of flora which are abundant within this national park. Unfortunatly a huge bush fire in February ment that nearly 50% of the park was burned, however this did not in any way detract from its beauty at all. The area affected only meant that some parts where off limits and tracks closed for the time being.

I booked into the superb Halls Gap YHA which is a brand new small eco hostel, and very well run in a quite hamlet with mountains all round, and lots of wild Kangeroo's (these are the first wild Kangeroo I have seen).

I had decided to spend ...

Siem Reap journal: The Temples of Angkor, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Thu, 05 Oct 2006 08:00:31 GMT

10 months ago I began my journey in Mexico visiting all of the most significant sites of the ancient Maya civilisation in Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras.

It seems fitting therefore that my journey should end here in Cambodia visiting the Temples of Angkor. Of course Angkor Watt itself is the main attraction, and has become one of the most instantly recognisable historic sites of ancient civilisations anywhere in the world. But there are a number of other very interesting sites within easy reach of Siem Reap that are equally as impressive, and somewhat quieter too.

Its only a 35 ...

Cambodia journal: Siem Reap and the Temples of Angkor, Cambodia

Thu, 05 Oct 2006 02:25:17 GMT

After nearly 10 months and 19 countries Siem Reap and the amazing Temples of Angkor will be my final stop. In just a few days I have to return once more to Bangkok for my international flight to London.

Although I would have liked to have had enough time to reach Phom Pen for me I find it hard to imagine a more fitting location to end such a journey.

Luang Prabang journal: LAOS - Luang Prabang and the Plain of Jars, Phonsavan

Mon, 02 Oct 2006 12:17:23 GMT

After 3 weeks in Vietnam and several days in the hectic but vibrant capital of Hanoi it was time to continue my journey to the neighboring country of Laos. Quite and peaceful in comparison I am told.

I booked a bus from Hanoi to Louang Prabang in north Laos from the Hanoi Plaza where I had been staying. This all seemed fine and the taxi duly picked me up from the hotel at 6.30pm, after picking 3 other people we spent some time finding a rather remote bus station where we would be departing from. This all seemed a little odd, but sure enough we eventually found it and all seemed ok.

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) journal: Ho Chi Minh City (Siagon) and Mekong Delta

Tue, 12 Sep 2006 12:12:28 GMT

I arrived for once mid morning at Ho Chi Minh International Airport. I had already booked accommodation at Hotel 127 in the city centre, It was really nice to be picked up for once and not have to find a taxi as usual.

Nothing in this world prepares you for what awaits in Saigon, not even reading the guide book. I have NEVER seen so many motorcycles in my life !!. To say this is organised kaos is an understatement.

Although in theory they drive on the left, pretty much anything goes, and they ride or drive for that matter just about anywhere, including the wrong way against the ...

Alice Springs journal: Alice Springs to Darwin

Tue, 05 Sep 2006 15:51:07 GMT

There is not a great deal to see between Alice Springs and Darwin. The Devils Marbles and Katerine Gorge are the 2 points of real interest but rather a long way apart.

I stopped for about 1 hour at the Devils Marbles on the first day and a couple of hours at Katerine Gorge and Edith Falls on the 3rd. At least I had fulfilled my ambition ot cross Australia overland which was great and I am gald that I did. but I think that this section would have been best completed on the Ghan rather than by bus just in case anyone else is thing of doing this section, its a huge bus ride with little to ...

Sapa journal: Sapa, North Vietnam

Tue, 05 Sep 2006 14:41:55 GMT

After an overnight train from Hanoi with a softish sleeper !!, I arrived at the station in Loa Cai to be met by a guy from the tour company to take me the 40 or so klm to Sapa, its about 1.5 hours, and uphill all the way, well nearly !.

The landscape becomes more and more spectacular as you go with the open landscape of small settlements giving way to high mountains and steep valleys and rice paddies. As you get closer to Sapa you come across many minority villigers in traditional costume depending on the tribe, although all seem to be of Mongol descent. Its hard to put into word the ...

Laos journal: Louang Phabang and the Plain of Jars, Laos

Tue, 29 Aug 2006 12:39:15 GMT

It is only in recent years that this beautiful country has become known to western travellers. With a population of only 5.25 million it is very peacful and quite in comparison to Vietnam.

I had met many travellers of recent months who had spoken highly of this country, I was therefore very much looking forward to traveling through a least a part of Laos to get a feel for its culture.

Halong Bay journal: HaLong Bay Vietam

Tue, 29 Aug 2006 11:53:37 GMT

I suppose that I had a picture of this famous and very beautiful bay in my mind from the film `Goldfinger'. Yes it is stunning, but a little different from the image conjured up in my mind by the film.

I had booked this trip through my hotel to be safe, having heard a few horror stories about trips I was a little cauceous. I am pleased to say that the trip delivered what was promissed, infact we had enough time to swim twice and Kayak which was a bonus.

It costs about 60 dollars for 3 days and includes meals, so I cant complain, although the food was rather basic and the same each ...

Southeast Asia journal: Laos

Thu, 10 Aug 2006 02:51:37 GMT

I have just a week in Loas so my plan is to visit Luang Phbang in the north, a small town on the mekong River which is also a world heritage area and I also want to visit the Plain of Jars. I am expecting quite a contrast from Vietnam, and I am told the people are very friendly.

Kota Kinabalu journal: Kuala Lumpar and Tamen Negra National Park, Malaysia.

Sat, 05 Aug 2006 02:33:37 GMT

After about 3.5 months traveling in Australia and Tasmania It was time to start heading home and to S.E Asia. A small culture shock awaited me in Kuala Lumpar. I arrived at about 11pm from Sydney, by the time I had cleared immigration and collected my pack and got a cab it was getting on for midnight, so arrival in town some 70 klm away was in the small hours, and a local hotel close to where my hostel is was the only option at this hour. The following morning I transferred to Red Palm, reputedly a very good hostel, this certainly proved to be the case. Sophie made me feel very at home in this ...

Southeast Asia journal: Sapa / Hanoi, North Vietnam

Fri, 28 Jul 2006 18:31:28 GMT

Having read in the guide book and spoken to other travellers who had recommed a visit to this northern mountian town high in the mountains about 80klm from the Chinese border I booked a train ticket in Hoi an and a 3 day trekking trip to minority villages in this remote region of Vietnam.

The landscape of mountains and steep valleys cobined with enless terraces of rice paddys is quite breathtaking, and perhaps I think to some degree a vision in my mind of what you would expect to see in rural Vietnam.

Its a wonderful place, although now very much on the ourist route, but definately ...

Kununurra journal: The Kimberley

Wed, 26 Jul 2006 04:22:04 GMT

I don't think a tour of the top end would have been complete without a visit to the Kimberley. I had found quite by chance a 4WD trip for 9 days through this region (covering a distance of 2600klms from Darwin to Broome) that also took in the Bungle Bungles (see separate story). Although this meant yet another trip It was I found the only way to have a good chance of seeing things well in the time available, plus you DEFINATELY need 4wd as there are many rivers to cross.

Day 1.

Kimberly Adventure Tours duly picked me up from the hostel just after 6am, well this is the most ...

Southeast Asia journal: Vietnam

Thu, 20 Jul 2006 04:07:12 GMT

This is one of the destinations on my travels that I had really been looking forward too. A visit to this fascinating country has only become possible in recent years with the country open up to tourisum, its really very much now on the backpacker circuit, although I am glad to say no overun as yet.

I had met many people who have spoken so highly of Vietnam and its people who are warm and welcoming. Nothing though I must say quite prepares you for being dropped into the middle of Saigon !.

Southeast Asia journal: Bangkok

Thu, 20 Jul 2006 02:10:07 GMT

Bangkok seems to be one most travellers route at some point, for me its the final departure point for London on August 25th.

But I had to stop here prior to this to obtain visas for both Vietnam and Loas. I stayed for a few nights in the Thewes quarter of the city which is somewhat quiter than the main backpacker areas. Fortunately the guesthouse did the visas for me which saved hassle and allowed time to go round sites etc.

With a population of 9 million

Kota Kinabalu journal: Sabah and Sarawack, Borneo

Wed, 12 Jul 2006 05:38:43 GMT

I arrived in the small capital of Kota Kinabalu, Sabah mid morning from KL. My plan being to head directly for the Information Center to book a place to climb Mt Kinabalu. I had been informed by other travelers that it was often fully booked (mostly by Malay rather than travelers much to my surprise). This I found to be the case, so that meant I had a couple of days wait.

Once I had finally booked accommodation on the mountain I could relax and walked the short distance to Borneo Backpackers which was a little back from the sea front and quite. I spent a day here and went for meals at ...

Asia journal: Sabah and Sarawack, Borneo

Tue, 11 Jul 2006 06:06:38 GMT

As part of my original Itinerary I had planned some time in both Sabah and Sarawack.

Both are Malaysian although you still go through the normal imigration procedure upon arrival as if both where seperate countries from Malaysia.

Sabah. I intended to spend about a week here, this turned into slightly more as things took longer than intended. So my plan was to climb Mt Kinabalu, visit prestine jungle to see Urang-Utang in the wild and possibly go to Samporna to dive on one of the best dive sites in the world. In the end I achieved all 3 of these.

I had no specific plan for ...

Adelaide journal: Adelaide to Alice Springs, 10 day 4WD with `Heading Bush'

Sat, 01 Jul 2006 19:53:44 GMT

Having booked this trip in Perth I had been looking forward to this adventure for some weeks, I was not to be disappointed. As the brochure states, this is `A 4wd adventure...not a bus tour!

Day 1, 4.5.06

After getting up at 5am Ben picked me up from `My Place' Backpackers at 6.30, I was the first so had the pick of the seats in the back of the trooper, there are only 10 people on the trip, 8 in the back and 2 in the front with Ben, Most of the companies doing these trips use Toyota Land Cruisers as they are both praticle and reliable, they are also well equipped with sat phones ...

Australia journal: The Kimberley

Fri, 09 Jun 2006 19:06:20 GMT

Australias `last Frontier'. The Kimberley is regarded as one of the worlds last true prestine wildernes regions. Situated to the west of Darwin in north Western Australia it covers an area 3 times the size of England.

An area of huge rugged gorges, thundering wateralls and rivers with pockets of lush rainforest. This area has of Australia has fewer head of population per square klm than anywhere else in the world, it does however have one of the fastest growing populations in oz.

Darwin journal: Kakadu and Lichfield National Parks

Fri, 09 Jun 2006 18:56:13 GMT

Kakadu is a cultural landscape shaped by the spiritual ancestors of the Aboriginal people and adjoins Arnamland which is an Aboriginal homeland.

Kakadu itself covers some 20,000 squ klms and its famed not just for its shear natural beauty but for its examples of Arboriginal rock art. Kakadu is also listed as a World Heritage Area for its cultural and natural heritage and protects the most extensive and best examples of rock art anywhere in the world. The natural habitat within Kakadu also contains a diverse range of animal and plant species a number of which are both rare and endemic to ...

Kununurra journal: The Bungle Bungles

Fri, 02 Jun 2006 21:24:12 GMT

When one thinks of the top end of Australia I guess you tend to think of several places of merrit, namely; Kakadu National Park, The Kimberly and the Bungle Bungles. These are I think the 3 main places thast should be regarded as a `must see' in this part of Australia.

The Kimberley is covered seperately, but the Bungle Bungles formed an integeral part of a 9 day trip through this region traveling the Gibb River Road from Darwin to Broome in W.A. This then completed the missing section of my travels in Western Australia and ment that I will have covered the west coast of Australia from ...

Australia journal: The Bungle Bungles

Fri, 02 Jun 2006 21:16:03 GMT

A visit to the top end would I think be incomplete without a visit to the Bungle Bungles.

Australia journal: Kakadu and Lichfield National Parks

Fri, 02 Jun 2006 21:09:08 GMT

Having planned my travels arround the top end I found that I had enough time to see both these National Parks, both are well known, especially Kakadu which is also the location for the filiming of `Crocodile Dunddee', not that this was my reason for seeing it. Its renowned as one of the outstanding National Parks in Australia, its also a world Heritage site and covers an area the size of Belgium.

Australia journal: Alice Springs to Darwin

Fri, 02 Jun 2006 20:59:14 GMT

Its a further 1600 klms to Darwin from Alice, and as I had planned to see quite a bit at the top end it seemed to make sense to go overland as my original plan was to travel across Australia from bottom to top. So this would complete this part of the jigsaw.

It was a toss up between the Gan Train or a bus and see something, with hind site the Gan was probably a better option but its impossible to get it right all the time.

Perth journal: Perth to Broome with Western Exposure

Sun, 14 May 2006 18:53:31 GMT

Day 1 - 21.4.06

Its an early start from Perth and Colin and Toby pick me up from Governor Robinson's at 7am. Quite a long day ahead as we have more pick ups from the center of town. there are 16 of us in all.

Its about a 3 hour drive to the Pinnacles Desert some 70 klms north of Perth. This oasis of sand and pinnacle rocks up to 3m high surrounded by bush are a fascinating site. These limestone columns where formed by subsurface erosion and have been exhumed by the prevailing southwesterly winds eroding sand from around them over time. Not a particularly huge area, but fascinating ...

Australia journal: Adelaid to Alice Springs through the Outback

Sun, 14 May 2006 18:27:00 GMT

Before I left the UK I had planned to cross Australia from Adelaid to Darwin. During my travels on the west coast I had met several people who had done the trip from Adeliade to Alice with `Heading Bush' which they spoke highly of, the brochure also bore this out.

This 10 day 4WD overland takes in the following;, Flinders Ranges and Wilpena Pound, Oodanadatta Track, Lake Eyre, Coober Pedy, Painted and Simpson Deserts, Dalhousie Hot Springs, Finks Aborigianl settlement, Uluru (Ayres Rock), The Olgas, Kings Canyon and the Western Macdonald Ranges.

I cant recommend this trip enough to ...

Australia journal: Perth to Broome, Western Australia with Western Exposure

Sun, 30 Apr 2006 23:38:25 GMT

Hiring a car abd driving south of Perth on your own is one thin g, driving north toward Exmouth and Brome is another !.

For these reasons I decided to go with Western Exposure who run small group tours from Perth to Darwin. This enable me to go to all the areas worth seeing on this coast over a 10 day period. the destinations include:, the Pinnicles Desert, Muchison Rivers Gorge and Natures Window, Monkey Mia, Shark Bay and Coral Bay and the Ningaloo Reef, Exmouth, Mardie Creek and Turquoise Bay. From here we headed for 3 nights bush camping in the stunning and dramatic Karajini National ...

Pemberton journal: South West Australia, Perth to Albany

Sun, 30 Apr 2006 23:20:19 GMT

After arriving in Perth direct from Adelaid and loosing a nights sleep on the overnight bus from the Grampian mountains to Adelaid I was glad to arrive at Governor Robinson's backpackers. I spent half a day wandering around the city a bit aimalessly trying to decide the best way to tackle seeing this coast.

The hostel have a biwildering number of trips that take you both north and south. So the following couple of days where spent talking to other travellers and finally making a decision to hire a car for 7 days and head south. So on the 12th April I picked up the car at 8.15am and went ...

Melbourne journal: Australian F1 motoracing Grand Prix, Albert Park, Melbourne

Wed, 19 Apr 2006 00:25:30 GMT

I departed the YHA hostel in Katoomba at 5.30am to catch a bus / train to Sydney in time for my flight to Melbourne which departed at 13.05.

its just a short 1.45 hour flight to Melbourne so enough time to have a read of the program for the grand prix on the flight.

On arrival at Avalon airport its much colder and windy too. Its 50 klm to the city so a coach takes me to Spencer street and from their its a taxi to the hostel as many roads a closed for the race. It seems strange to hear the sound of race cars in the middle of the city.

I arrived at about 5pm, after checking in ...

Australia journal: Perth and Western Australia

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 22:41:12 GMT

I had spoken to many fellow travellers over the past months who had strongly recommended that I visit this very beautiful and quiter coast of Australia, famed for its Nangaloo reef which rivals the Great Barrier reef and the huge Karrie forest's south of Perth, not to mention areas to the north such as the Pinnicles and the Kimberly.

For these reasons I decided to spend about 3 weeks here to do it some justice. My plan is to hire a car and head south toward Margret River and Albany to see the southern coast line and Tall Timber Country around Pemberton and Walpole as well as climb ...

Sydney journal: Blue Mountains National Park, NSW Australia

Mon, 10 Apr 2006 22:12:30 GMT

After a day in Sydney I decided to join Andy for a couple of days in the Blue Mountains before departing for Melbourne and the Australian Grand Prix.

Arriving at Andy's hostel at 8.30am we caught a bus to central station. Trains leave here frequently so we caught the 9.50am train. We had decided to head for Wentworth Falls on the advice of a some one from the Overalnd track who live's in the Blue Mountains. On arrival at Wentworth Falls I booked into the YHA hostel at Katoomba whilst Andy will stay with a friend he met on the overland at Springwood.

After leaving our packs at the ...

Australia journal: Grampian National Park, Victoria, Australia

Mon, 10 Apr 2006 01:37:26 GMT

The Grapians are some 2 hours or so northwest of Melbourne and rise out of Vivtiroas vast grazing plains. These beautiful sandstone range of mountains with its rocky outcrops and crgs is well known for its rockclimbing and 150 klms of bushwalks as well as some Aboriginal rock art.

My second day tour dropped me at Halls Gap YHA at the end of the day.

Melbourne journal: The Great Ocean Road, Victoria, South Australia

Mon, 10 Apr 2006 01:31:51 GMT

Having been to the Grand Prix and been to Pete's for dinner on Sunday night with his family which was great it was time to leave Melbourne. I had looked at several option of ways to see both the Great Ocean Road and get to the Grampian Mountains National Park in one go. Without a car this is a little difficult.

Autopia Tours offer several options, in the end the most cost efficient option was 2 one dy tours along the Great Ocean Road on day one, and then to the Grampians on the second day.

My pick up was some 20 minutes walk from the hostel at Base Backpackers.

It's about ...

Australia journal: Great Ocean Road

Mon, 10 Apr 2006 01:28:07 GMT

The Great Ocean Road which is Victorias famous southern coastal route starts at Torquay which is about an hour west of Melbnouren and extends for soem 285klms to Warrembool, built bewtween 1919 and 1932 its aim was to construct a scenic road of world repute to rival such roads at Californias Pacific Coast Highway.

Australia journal: Blue Mountains, NSW, Australia

Mon, 10 Apr 2006 01:10:28 GMT

The Blue Mountains National Park which is also now a world heritage area is about 2 hours west of sydney by train,and therefore very easily accessable from the city.

This range of mountains which form part of the great divide at an altitude of approximately 1000m where formed over millions of years by rivers carving out deep valleys into the sandstone resulting in a spectacular landscape of huge canyons with near vertical sides to the valley floor below which provide stupendouse views.

Hobart journal: Freycinet National Park, Tasmania

Fri, 07 Apr 2006 17:25:49 GMT

Once we had returned to earth after completing the overland track, Andy, myself and Susanne decided to spend a few relaxing days in the lovely setting of Freycinet National Park on the east coast as we are all departing Tasmania on wednesday next week. This National Park is dominated by the `Hazards', a range of mountains that are a very prominant and instantly recognisable landmark along this area of the coast. Together with beautiful clear aqua marine waters and sandy beaches this is a magical place in which to finish my travels in Tassie.

So after getting the washing done, restocking ...

Australia journal: Freycinet National Park

Fri, 07 Apr 2006 17:24:12 GMT

Freycinet National Park although relatively small is set in an idylic location midway up the east coast of Tasmania. Being on the east coast this areas enjoys a lower rainfall and a very good climate.

Its renowned for the very beautiful `Wine Glass Bay' with can be viewed from the lookout, or summits of overlooking peaks of the Hazards.

There is also a 2 day walking track here with campsites, you could spend 3 days walking this track if you wanted which means you can fully appreciate the shear natural beauty the area has to offer.

Sydney journal: Sydney

Sun, 02 Apr 2006 23:04:55 GMT

After a very early start at 4.30am in Christchurch to fly to Auckland and then on to Australia I arrived in Sydney at 11am on the 4th March. Much warmer here than the wet of Christchurch.

A shuttle takes me the half hour to Eva's Backpackers which is in the Kingscross area of Sidney, not the most salubrious of areas but this is now a major backpacker area with lots of hostels. All rather big and noisy I suspect. Many travelers have told me about these places so I am rather apprehensive about what I will find.

This hostel turns out to be not as bad as I had feared, although people ...

Australia journal: Sydney, Australia

Sun, 02 Apr 2006 23:04:55 GMT

Having spent 2 months in the familiar territory of New Zealand I know find myself in the large, busy and unfamiliar surroundings of Sidney, south Australia.

I have approximately 2 months to see some of this vast country. My rough plan is as follows:

4 Days in and around Sidney, visiting the Blue Mountains at the same time.

Head west to Melbourne for the Australian Grand Prix on April 2nd.

Travel the Great Ocean Road to Adelaid before flying to Perth and heading up the west coast which is quiter and very beautiful.

Fly back to Adelaid to travel overland by train ...

Australia journal: Australian F1 motoracing grand prix

Sun, 02 Apr 2006 22:04:15 GMT

Its just so happend that my travel pland fitted in with the Australiab Grand Prix in Melbourne on April 2nd.

Its been some years since last attended a grand prix and I had quite forgoton what an experience and specticle it is to attend such a sporting avent.

Mexico City journal: Mexico City

Sun, 02 Apr 2006 21:24:06 GMT

Mexico City is the start point of what I hope will be the journey of a lifetime over the next 9 months. A chance to experience different cultures, countires and lifestyles. To visit the sites of acient civilisations, to see contrasting landscapes, to meet people from across the globe, both fellow travelers and indigenous people alike.

My journey will take me through the continents of the Americas, Polynesia, Australasia, Indonesia and South East Aisia. visiting in the region of 20 countries.

MEXICO CITY

With a population of 25m Mexico City is the largest city on earth, coming ...

Launceston journal: Overland Track, Tasmania

Sun, 02 Apr 2006 03:20:08 GMT

This has without any doubt been one of the highlights of my travels over the last 5 months. A combination of breathtaking alpine and bush scenery, superb weather and great people made this a very memerable experience.

After a few relaxing days spent with Lauren and Trevor at their new home in Launceston I booked a place on the track late on Saturday afternoon. This booking system is similar to the one operated in NZ for the great walks, although you are not limited on how long the track takes you once you start. You must however have your track pass clearly visible on the outside of your ...

Australia journal: Overland Track, Tasmania

Fri, 24 Mar 2006 15:47:46 GMT

Reputed to be one of the top 10 multi-day tracks in the world the Overland Track is a 80klm treck through the wilderness of western Tasmania, situated within the Cradle Mountain, Lake St Claire National Park which is also a World Heritage Area.

The track is walked from Cradle Mountain in the north to Lake St Claire in the south over a period of anything from 5 to 9 dyas approximately depending on the number of additional side trips you take in.

Tasmania journal: TASMANIA

Thu, 16 Mar 2006 17:30:25 GMT

I had originally planned just 2 weeks here, it became very quickly apparent that this is not enough to see this spectacular Island. So having arrived at Allports hostel in North Hobart I had a day to do some basic planning. Buses here are not very regular, and cars are costly to hire. So I found a short 6 day tour with a company called `Under Down Under', ok its a tour, but it will get me to the main places I want to see, albeit a little faster than I would like, but my plan is to return to areas I like to see them more slowly after the tour is finished. Plus I have a friend living in ...

New Zealand journal: New Zealand

Sun, 05 Mar 2006 00:16:12 GMT

AUCKLAND, `City of Sails'

NORTH ISLAND 14.1.06

New Zealand comes with a reputation as a unique land packed with magnificent raw scenery, rugged coastlines and beautiful beaches, together with primary forest, snow capped mountain ranges, volcanic pools and guisers. A land of stupendous beauty.

With a population of just over 4 million and a land mass similar to the UK Its become the top travel destination for the last few years. I arrived here at 5.30pm local time on Saturday 14th January having left the Cooks on Friday (I lose a day here crossing the International Date Line ) ...