I know I am a bad blogger on this trip and I am way behind on my daily posts. Plus my posts aren’t nearly as funny as my AT ones. All I can say in my defense is that I am having such a fun and relaxing time that I don’t need the comical relief…

Spent the day in the quaint and tiny town of Russell, NZ – the first European settlement in NZ also known as the “Hell Hole of the Pacific” due to the lawlessness that prevailed. It started as a Māori village that traded with European sailors but became know for prostitution, fighting, and general lawlessness as…

After a day of sight seeing yesterday in Whangarei, Serenity toddle off to a DOC (NZ Department of Conservation) campsite on the beach at Otamure Bay. This is an unpowered site with long drop toilets (NZ for a government outhouse), a potable water source and cold showers. First, I’m going to say it isn’t as…

And we are off! Back to Whangārei (the northern most point we have been to date). We are staying at a powered campsite tonight as a way to ease into campervan life. The Holiday Park (NZ for campground) has communal hot showers, toilets, kitchen, barbeque area, play ground for the kids, etc. I’m kinda hoping…

Last night we made a verbal commitment to buy a 2005 Nissan Caravan converted to a campervan. This morning purses lighter and title in hand we drove away as official Campervan owners. She has a high top – I can almost stand up straight in her. She has an almost queen size bed that converts…

Woke up to the first overcast/rainy day in NZ since we arrived. But that didn’t slow us down! It was an AMAZING day! Started the morning off with a short but exciting hike to Whangarei Falls. To me it was an adventure, but in New Zealand it was just a small city park. I hiked…

Started the day by realizing a rental car meant we didn’t have to stay in Auckland – it is a beautiful city, but there is a whole country out there to see! So with only a direction, North, and no destination in mind, it was time to hit the road. The “plan” for the day…

Today was dedicated to deciding how to get around NZ for 3 months. So far public transportation (buses), Uber, and walking has worked (averaging 8-10 miles a day), but those aren’t going to suffice for the next 3 months. Campsrvans, motorhomes, RVs and plain old cars were discussed and analyzed ad nauseam. Motorhomes and RVs…

Had a relaxing morning and slept until 8:30am. (I think all of the excitement and trying new things creates its own kind of jet lag.) Decided to meet the Hop On Hop Off bus at the stop closest to our hotel. So we Ubered to what we thought was the base of Mt. Eden. Instead…