March, April & May in Auckland!

The last four months in Auckland have been really great. Paddy's day in the roasting hot sunshine was always going to be a winner with everyone dressed up & everyone Irish for the day. We had a ball and as Auckland has about a hundred Irish pubs we were spoiled for choice. We spent most of the day at the Muddy Farmer where they had bands and dancers, face painters and lots of green - we even managed to get on the tv. Then it was on to the Fiddler where the 'real' Irish were. Needless to say there were lots of sore heads the next day!



During easter we headed to the Coromandel which is the piece of land that juts out to the east of Auckland. We spent four days travelling around there going to places with names like Whitianga and Whangamata - we're still finding the Maori names impossible to pronounce! We spent a day at beautiful Cathedral Cove, Stingray Bay and then on to Hot Water Beach where you can dig a hole in the sand and (don't ask me how) the water is really warm - like your own little jacuzzi in the sand.


Ciaran had the brilliant idea that we should go on a hike up the mountains so we picked out a trail up the Pinnacles and spent about 5 hours walking up a really really steep mountain - I thought I was going to die! Needless to say that with me moaning every step of the way we didn't make it to the top - still looking back now (and not being in agony anymore) I can appreciate it a bit more!

So apart from little trips here and there we've just been enjoying Auckland and doing regular stuff, just like home. We've been here for 7 months now so can't wait to get back on the road again...