Auckland

Ok so after an 11 hour flight in economy class aaaahhhh we finally arrive in Auckland and check into the hostel. the room was very basic but clean at least. we found a really nice pub for dinner, the food was amazing and although not the cheapest, for what we paid we got a really good deal. then it was an early night for everyone. we had had orientation on tuesday and all started to feel very releived we'de paid all this money to BUNAC, rather than doing it on our own. we had about 3 hours on work, money, travel and the servicies that IEP, BUNAC's New Zealand partners provide. Aside from all the help and advice they give with everything you could possibly wish for they have free internet, printing, photocopying, faxing and if you recive any post they forward to for free to any New Zealand address. we then went to the IEP social that night at the Bluestone room, but didn't stay out to late.

Wednesday we had a free bus tour of Auckland, courtesy of Stray adventure buses and Rob, a guy in our group won a free jump off the sky tower. we went to the Michael Savage memroial the drove through some suburbs then got a free walk across the harbour bridge (worth $20) and a few people bungy jumped off it. they're crazy as they went into the water about waist deep. It was nie t see other parts of Auckland, its a nice city but i don't think i want to stay here.

Thursday was a vey stressful morning for various reason but by the end of the day i had my first WWOOF placement on Waiheke island helping a lady on her sunflower farm starting on sunday it works well because i was planning to do a vinyard tour of the island on saturday and have just booked a hostel. we also went out last night for Kristin's, one of the girls in my group, birthday. So i'm escapeing Auckland for a few days then when i get back i'll oraganise my trip to Wellington. Today I am nursing a hangover basically

The people here are really nice. I hate my new room in the hostel cos its above th night club so its really noisy. we are all spliting up tomorrow to do various things but most of us are going to end up in Wellington eventually. the city is nice, niver than Honk Kong but i want to see the real new zealand now!!