Week One

August 31^st we got the Intercity train from Ennis to Dublin via Limerick Junction, leaving at 10.15. We arrived into Heuston at 13.20. The Journey up was pleasant and mostly uneventful; we were surrounded by Americans, who were on the train up from Killarney for The Gathering American College Football game – Notre Dame vs. The Navy. Once we got off the train we got the Luas from the station into city centre getting off at the abbey street stop. From O’Connell Street got the 13 Bus out to Santry Cross stop, where our hotel was located – Metro Dublin Airport Hotel. The staff here was helpful and accommodating, we had booked on line in June, and lucky we had as most hotels around the area we full due to The Gatherings game. There was free Wi-Fi –hotspot - in the hotel you just needed to get password from reception. We booked a wakeup call and shuttle to the airport from reception. The shuttle to the airport was 2 euro each. We were lucky that the shuttle dropped us off at terminal 2, as buses aren’t allowed anymore near the terminals. Right inside the departure door is the Etihad check-in desks; there was a slight queue even though we arrived before the 2 hours minimum because the flight to Abu Dhabi was full. After we checked in, we made our way thru security and into duty free, as our final destination was Auckland, we could not partake in buying duty free. The boarding time for the flight was 08.30, after everyone had boarded and was seated, the plane started to taxi and take off. The flight to Abu Dhabi was 7 and half hours, during which time we got dinner, warm wrap and a snack with free drink such as wine, beer, soft drink. If need be you can request prior to flying a special catering such as a lacto-vegetarian or low-Cal meals. The on board entertainment had current TV shows, music and movies in cinema such as Brave, the avengers, and the dark shadows. When we landed in Abu Dhabi International Airport, we had to make our way from terminal 1 to terminal 3. Walking thru duty free in terminal 1 was out of this world. Between terminal 1 and 3 had to go through security again. Then made our way to our gate – 28, where bags and paper work is searched again. Free Wi-Fi in the airport. The flight from Abu Dhabi to Sydney took about 14 hours 10 mins, during this flight we had dinner twice, a snack and sandwich, and again free drink and on-board entertainment. Once we disembarked from the plane, again made our way thru security, rang the airline from the nearby courtesy phone near security. After which made way to departure gate, where we obtained our boarding passes for our flight to Auckland. Virgin Australia was the airline who are a partner airline with Etihad. As we are Etihad guest members, during the flight we were given free food, drink and portable entertainment devices. The flight time was 3 hours 5 mins. Before landing we had to fill out an immigration form which we had to show at the passport control, onto baggage claim and then onto Customs where you show the form and passports again, it’s here also where our bags are x-rayed. Arrival time into Auckland was September 3^rd 00.55.

Trouble contacting the hotel, lucky the super-shuttle was at arrivals, due to a mishap on the way to the hotel, the driver only charged us 10 $ for both of us instead of 20. The hotel was called Travellers International. The room itself was beyond basic, less than a 3^rd state hotel. The only advantage was an electric blanket and a free bus to airport. However the disadvantages out wayed the advantages due to the rudeness of the staff and state of the facilities, cost was not worth it. Booking with Kiwi Experience got a free bus from the airport into city – Airbus express. In Auckland stayed at YHA Auckland City got 10% discount been YHA member – 93 $ twin private dorm after 14 $ deposited paid online and free visitor NZ prepaid 2 degrees sim card from reception which you need to top up by 20 $. Booked Sky Tower and Desk tickets from YHA reception cos it was on special for $18 instead of the normal $28. When ye arrive, the lift first brings you to Sky Tower main observation level which is 610 ft/186m above the city, the views ere are amazing but the views from the Sky Desk (722ft/220m) are just breath-taking, where ye get 360 degree views of the city. The souvenir photo is 30$ which contains 4 pics – 2 big and 2 small and are available to look at online for 3 months. 

 The Auckland explorer bus is 40 $ for a day pass which explores the top 14 attractions of Auckland and have the free option of going further into the suburbs with the satellite bus which is got from the Auckland museum. The Auckland war memorial museum is worth a visit, recommended donation is 10$ with the explorer bus day pass there a discount i.e. in our case no donation as we bought the Maori culture tour and experience for 35$. An enjoyable experience where ye experience the Maori dances, songs and the Hakka, after the show ye get the opportunity to talk and get photo taken with the Maori people. After the show and tour, we explored the museum which was an experience and culture filled. The museum had free WI-FI through-out the museum. After the museum, hopped onto the satellite bus into the suburbs where we hopped off at the Mount Eden stop. It was some trek up to the top, however once at the summit; you are able to see views of all of Auckland. As the weather is so changeable make sure bring a jacket with a hood. Despite the rain, the experience was not affected. In a vain attempt to try find the Clare Inn bar, we got sidetracked and kinda lost. Once in the bar, we managed to get finally get warm and dry-ish. It was ere where I nearly fainted at the cost of a pint 8.50 $.

Kiwi experience tour bus picked us up at YHA – Auckland city at 08.30 Wednesday 5^th from ere we went to Hot Water beach. The accommodation at the Hot Water Beach Holiday park was 30$/night. The name of our lodge was TUI lodge room 1. The kitchen facilities was limited, best option is pizza/oven based foods. The main supermarket area pre-hot water beach is at Thames. The bus took us to Cathedral Cove, where the coastal walk was spectacular but was some trek up and down, perfect picture opportunity. After we got back to the lodge, we took the stroll to the Hot Water beach – one of world’s top ten beaches, after hiring a shovel with a refundable deposit in our case 20$. At low tide,  roughly 15.10-17.10, got there about half 4, once at the beach dig  a hot water pool in the sand, which can be pretty hot – 60 degress mix with some cold sea water. With the KiwiE filled crowd there was good banter and fun at the beach.

                                        

Thursday 6^th left at 07.30 towards Waitomo, on route stopped off for a walk at the Karangahake scenic reserve which is a bush-clad gorge, historic gold mine. The stroll thru the reserve brought us across 2 swing bridges, into an old railway tunnel – wise to bring a torch. The views along the path are scenic and tranquil. After this the bus drove thru Paeroa, where the L&P (lemon and Paeroe) soft drink was originally produced. A giant L&P bottle statue still remains in the town. On the way after this to Waitomo, the bus drives by MT Te Aroha which is the mountain of Love. In Waitomo (meaning water cave), stayed at Kiwi Paka @ 30$ for the night, with a 10 dollar refundable deposit for cutlery set, it’s a dry hostel, however there a local bar right next door called Curly’s Bar. (if ye have welcome to Auckland Magazine use the 2for1 voucher on local beer/wine/coke).

Friday 7th the departure time for the bus was at 08.45 from the hostel. Shortly after we arrived at the Ruakari reserve where we did a half hour bush walk, the walk is worth the effort, as it’s ere ye observe the introduction to the abundance of limestone rock formation and the surrounding scenery and water along the path is beautiful. In Rotorua, stayed at the YHA for 2 nights, which is located near the Kuirau thermal park which is free to enter, its picturesque area but has sulphur smell which gives Rotorua its nickname ‘sulphur city. Due to the fact that 90 per cent of the accommodation is located on Fenton street its nicknamed Roto-vegas. In the afternoon, did the Skyline Gondola and 2 Luge rides with the kiwi discount 29$. Gondola ride gave a scenic view of Rotorua, at the top were the luge ride was located which is a thrill ride. Must say the ski lift was an experience in itself.

Book Geyser link shuttle online – www.headfirsttravel.co.nz – using the YHA discount card get the tour for 60$ instead of the normal 69$. The tour can pick u up at the hostel if arranged so or at the i-site office on Fenton Street. In our case the shuttle picked us up at 8.50 from the YHA hostel Saturday 8^th. On this tour ye visit the largest mud pool in New Zealand after which ye are dropped off for a brief introduction and talk about the Lady Knox Geyser. At 10.15 the controlled eruption occurs, which can erupt to 20 feet into air. The bus then drops ye off for your visit to Wai-O-Tapu thermal wondering where ye spend over an hour and a half. The thermal wonderland is well worth a visit where the walk around the whole park takes between 45-75 mins. Once the bus dropped us off at i-site, as we had time to spare before the Hobbiton bus pick up, we went for a walk into the government gardens nearby which was free and a stroll along the lakefront. The pickup for the hobbiton tour was at 13.30, book the tour online at - www.hobbitontours.co.nz - where an adult ticket is 99 $ for a return bus from rotorua and tour. The tour of the hobbit set was surreal and a magical moment. Well worth a visit.   

Left the hostel Sunday 9^th at 8.10 for the intercity pickup at i-site office, which the kiwi office had arranged for us, the bus for Taupo was at 8.50 but need to be there 15 mins prior. The journey took roughly 50 mins. Once arriving in Taupo, made our way to the Base Hostel, as it was too early to check in, we left our luggage in the store room. We arranged for a shuttle to take us to the Huka Falls which reception arranged for us. The shuttle itself was 5$. The Huka falls views are unbelieveable. We took the 2.8 km Huka falls walkway towards the Thermal Spa. The water here was gorgeous. After which we continued the walk back into Taupo which was roughly 45 mins. The cost of staying at Base Taupo is 29 $ for the night, with a 20 dollars deposit for the card, refundable.