Blog
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Abel Tasman
We stayed in Marahau on the edge of the Abel Tasman national park, an absolutely massive forest full of birds and German tourists The area is full of coves and caves that little blue penguins (not pictured, that’s Niamh) use for nesting We kayaked out to the islands where they’ve eliminated all predators so it’s a paradise for songbirds. When you get close it sounds like the whole island is singing The Fat Tui sells massive burgers, they’ve gone wide instead of tall The rocks around the island were full of seals lounging around and baby ones playing in the water We’ve been keeping ourselves entertained on the long drives with murder most Irish, a podcast where they get very angry about murders Niamh got her phone out while kayaking to get even more pictures Pied Shag colony – they were so chilled about us being nearby Because I was in front Jack got to be dragged on to the beach in style every time we landed -
Wellington and the start of the South Island
Our first stop in Wellington was Zealandia which is a fenced off predator-free reserve with loads of native birds
A North Island robin was extremely inquisitive 
Jack was mobbed by baby quail 
And had a bizarre feijoa custard sour 
Next day on the ferry I was paranoid about being sick . . . So stayed outside in 80mph winds 
Almost broke the window to get to these dogs on the ferry We arrived at Abel Tasman last night in the dark and put our tent up in the rain in a record 20 minutes flat! Then today did a walk – tomorrow is kayaking!
We saw quite a few weka! 
White faced heron -
Martinborough
Small town an hour away from Wellington with a load of vineyards
Thai food and a gin flight 
Palliser wines where they promised a life changing sauvignon blanc 
The sommelier at grava was quite wet but very friendly 
Platter and flight at Margrain vineyard 
Niamh blends in quite well 
Final tasting at Haythornthwaite 
They also have space in the town for a brewery 
Dramatic goth pony -
Niamh’s pictorial backlog
I’ve been letting Jack do all the talking on the blog, but here are a few of my favourites from the last few days. Today we’re off to Whanganui, which we have recently learned is pronounced “Fanganui” (wh = f), and then Martinborough where our plan was to do a cycling tour of vineyards. However there was a nasty accident there just a few days ago involving some tourists so we will see how it feels.
Butter chicken pie! 
Stuffed kiwi in a really cute town museum in Pirongia 
Our camping equipment from rent-a-tent! Nicely organised, everything we need 
Stunning sunsets 
Impressive teaspoon collection at the blueberry farm 
A lot of dead birds near a vent 😦 
Jack soaking in the free thermal pool in the park 
Tongariro Crossing was so good but very hard. I borrowed hiking poles from Kelly’s mom and I am a massive fan!! My knees are a lot happier today than they should be. 
Lava tube 
The flowers brought me so much joy on the crossing, so cute! 
Soaking in the room’s private mineral pool to ease tired muscles 
MUSSEL MANIA -
Tongariro Crossing
The most beautiful hike I’ve ever done, the only one of New Zealand’s “great hikes” that can be done in one day. It took us just under 8 hours to finish, and we are thoroughly knackered
At the start line, so much energy, so much hope 
Hanging out with Mount Doom after the toughest climb 
Tried and failed to take a picture with all of the distance markers 
The craters from old explosions are now lakes that feel really out of place 
Wrap for strength 
The view of the way down with lake Taupo in the distance 
Selfie at the finish 
Tried my best -
Rotorua
We moved on to Rotorua, a volcanic area which produces 20% of New Zealand’s energy in its geothermal power plants. This also means lots of Roman style hot bath houses that’ll hard boil you like an egg.
Our second campsite was right by the lake which was the perfect temperature for an evening swim and was full of ducks that let you know they’re there all through the night. 
Rent-a-tent NZ gave us a hand-pumped espresso machine for morning coffee 
Massive bubbling mud pool (Niamh for scale). Like large parts of Rotorua it smelt like rotten eggs, there was a large group of dead birds nearby who probably got caught in a bubble of hydrogen sulfide. 
We visited the craters of the moon which had loads of fumaroles (steam vents) so it looks like the ground is smoking 
We’re staying in Taupo, tomorrow (with Kelly) we’re hiking the Tongariro crossing, a 12 mile hike which takes about 6 to 8 hours and goes between Mt Tongariro and Mt Ngauruhoe who played Mount Doom in Lord of the Rings. -
On The Road
Picked up our car and camping gear from Auckland airport and headed to the first campsite 
Stopped at Pirongia for a butter chicken and a bushman’s pie and a trip to the local museum/village council meeting room and got to eavesdrop on a village council meeting 
Got a great spot by the lake to pump up our tent 
Ate our tea under the night sky with our friends Jupiter and Mars 
Everything packed away and off to Makana blueberry experience for the world’s best blueberry muffin -
Auckland/Red Beach
We’re staying until Tuesday with Kelly’s mom in Red Beach about an hour outside Auckland – a great place to recover from jet lag and start to get to know New Zealand!
Chip and dip culture here is excellent – kiwi onion, kumaru crisps, basil pesto dip and rosemary and thyme crisps 😋 
My tea came on a tea warmer which was definitely unnecessary, it’s HOT here 
Pūkeko – the only native bird we’ve got a picture of, but we’ve seen parrots and a couple of swamp harriers too! 
Volcanic views from Shakespear nature reserve. 
Jack got this bucket hat in Singapore airport with his last S$20 
Wine tasting on Waiheke island 
Our view for lunch. Lunch was 327 on Waiheke and it was AMAZING. 
Batch vineyard – highest point on Waiheke island with lovely views and less lovely wines. If you zoom in on the centre of the picture you can just about make out Auckland
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Singapore pt ii and the trip to New Zealand – Niamh
We did two more zoos – Bird Paradise and Night Safari. I didn’t take any pictures at Night Safari but it was so great to see animals awake and active during their natural hours, including civets!
Bird Paradise well worth it 
We headed to the old botanic gardens for our last day in Singapore, leaving the bags at the hotel until the afternoon.
We both loved half boiled eggs from Toastbox 
Old botanic gardens had some amazing specimens 
And the national orchid collection was incredible!! 
Then off to Changi Airport for our flight to New Zealand.
Best airport meal ever 
Then met up with Kelly on the plane before heading to Auckland and Kelly’s mum’s house! -
Jack Singapore Pics
Tall toast for breakfast with two half boiled eggs (Niamh watched a guy crack one open and drink it like a shot) 
Mandai Nature Park has 4 zoos in it, it’s a lot of walking but great to watch a cat fishing 
Snitched on a crab that was trying to escape at the hawker market, feel bad, possibly ate its cousin 
All time greatest vending machines
Jack and Niamh's Sabbatical Adventures 