Waiheke Island

A short ferry ride taken from Auckland city across the water to Waiheke; a beautiful island caught beneath it's own ozone hotspot, making it VERY easy to catch the sun.  Gorgeous beaches, great food, a stop off at Topknot vineyard and even some giant chess made for an awesome day trip!!! 

Mairangi Bay

The O'Conners live in an area called Mairangi Bay, across the water from Auckland City.  A quiet, upmarket area with some stunning beaches and amazing houses.

The Kindest People We'd Never Met

The O'Conners are friends of friends who opened their home to us for a few days after arriving in Auckland.  The kindness and generosity they showed us will never be forgotten, and neither will their gorgeous house.  As you can see, we were pretty spoiled!

 

 

Hostel: First Night

My first experience of a hostel was that of a larger, commercial X-Base.  From this point forward it was small hostels, or no hostels... 

We shared our room with a lovely girl from Bristol of all places; small world!!!  And as you can see, Wilson (our token mascot, care of Paul's friend Matt) pulled.

The Initial Step

It doesn't take long waiting around at the airport before terminal madness sets in...

Friendship

Paul and I have known each other for more than 10 years.  As with most friendships there was a period where we lost touch as our journey branched off along different paths, but a strong relationship is built to survive the tests of time and distance and a year ago we came back into one anothers lives.  It was like no time had passed!  There was an ease and familiarity which allowed us to pick up right where we'd left off, and it wasn't long before travel plans became a strong topic of conversation...

Both of us had been let down in the past by failed plans and unreliable travel companions, but before we knew it flights to New Zealand had been booked and the first of many trips together became a reality. 

We had the most AMAZING time.  The people we met, the experiences we shared, the food we ate and the alcohol we consumed. 

This is our visual story of New Zealand!

- Steve and Paul