Starting to get excited about this trip to New Zealand. \240This morning we went to Herron Island with Brandon to check on things. I had a hard time not bringing our packed bags down the stairs with me when we were ready to go.

One more sleep until departure.

I wonder if the pilot will let us know when it is new years local time, while en route to New Zealand?

And here we go.

Great little cafe to celebrate living through our first drive on the left side of the road.

First night at the Waves Hotel. Pretty nece place, but nothing fancy or special. The best part is that it is 1/2 a block from the beach

Yesterday we walked the beach a lot and went to a grocery store. The store was big and clean. Interesting new to us items in the deli. The beach was different in that it was very wide, and hardly any surf. Not much tide at this latitude, but with the tide out it was maybe a half mile out to the water. Tons of families on New Year’s Day at the beach. It wasn’t too hot out, to most activity was throwing balls around etc.

our first experience at a beach was in the morning where we happened upon world championships boat races of moth boats. Very cool 1 person sailing foils. Very high tech expensive boats. Talked to a lady that was from Bainbridge island. Small world. There is another type of boat called a wasp that is only about 15k that is similar but not as high tech. Would be great for Herron Island. Really fast.

Coffee and gluten free treat

What a great day today. Drve

Breakfast at the hotel, 9:00am ferry to Russell. Meeting our tall ship for a day of sailing.

Nice talk with a German couple on the ferry.

Did a fantastic sailing trip out to one of the islands on a tall ship. Got to climb the mast, and raise the sails. On the way back the wind kicked up and it was a very exciting ride.

The boat does this type of tour in the high season to make money for a program in the winter for young at risk kids. I saw a poster in the galley that I thought was a great idea for all of us.

Gloworm caves

Hobbiton

M o n d a y 6 t h J a n u a r y - A u c k l a n d , B a s t i o n P o i n t

From 6.30am to

10am Breakfast included at the hotel

++BRING HEAD SETS++

9.00 AM

Meet in reception for walking tour followed by coach to Bastion Point

( after walking tour we will not be returning to the hotel until 2.00pm)

10.30 AM Depart by coach for Bastion Point

11.00 AM Controversial Topic - Maori Land Rights & the Treaty of Waitangi

12.30 PM Depart by coach for Mission Bay Café for lunch

1.50 PM Coach return to Auckland city centre

6.00 PM Depart hotel for short walk to Welcome dinner at Neptunes

6:20 PM Included Welcome dinner at Neptunes

W e d n e s d a y 8 t h J a n u a r y - A u c k l a n d - H a m i l t o n G a r d e n s , R o t o r u a

Main Suitcase to be placed outside door for porter collection. Otherwise bring to lobby

7.45 AM

yourself. Main luggage only, bring smaller carry on bags with you

( no later)

++BRING HEAD SETS++

From 6.30am Breakfast included at the hotel

8:30 AM Depart hotel for Rotorua via Hamilton Gardens

10:45 AM Arrive at Hamilton Gardens for guided tour

11:00 AM

You will be guided on a journey of discovery along paths delivering mysterious surprises:

step from a peaceful Japanese Garden of Contemplation into an Italian Renaissance

Garden, before being enthralled by the grandeur of the Indian Char Bagh (‘four

quartered’) Garden and the magical Surrealist Garden where everything is five times life

size. Hamilton

Gardens has over 20 themed garden areas with more being developed .Guided tour is 75

minutes

12:30 PM Lunch included at Hamilton Gardens

Depart Hamilton Gardens for Rotorua - 1h30 drive

1:45 PM

CONTROVERSIAL TOPIC COACH DISUSSION- NEW ZEALAND PREADATOR CONTROL WITH

POISONS

3:15 PM Arrive Kiwi Encounter Rotorua

Kiwi Encounter Rotorua conservation project

- Guided Tour by expert staff through Kiwi conservation and breeding programme.

Opportunity to see baby Kiwi and learn about this unique creature that is New Zealands

national symbol

-Enter Kiwi enclosure to view adult birds in simulated natural environment

4:45 PM Arrive Distinction Rotorua Hotel

6:30 PM Dinner included at the Distinction Rotorua Hotel