Grand Traverse Both Islands Top To Bottom

- Hi, I found it a bit confuding before booking my trip around nz as soooo many options so thought it would be good to add a review of the flying kiwi trip I have just done. I did the northern wanderer trip from Auckland to Wellington which took 8 days and loved it. But don�t want to sound too biased so heres the good and bad: Good - good way to meet people and really laid back feel to trips - food was really good (thanks to our resident swiss chef Stefan!!) and I only cooked about once every 4 days - got to do lots of free stuff like hikes, volleyball most nights and bodybording once (though water in NZ in december is still cold!!!) - bikes were in good condition though not heaps of off road tracks - our guide (thanks ben) sorted all activities and accommodation so was very easy. I upgraded to cabin on a couple of nights to take a break from the tent for about $7 and that all seemed very easy - sandboarding, zorbing and tongariro crossing were once in a lifetime activities and highly recommend them all Bad - not as many departures as other bus options - you have to hire bike for your full trip not just daily - quite a few of the bike tracks are on roads � not many mountain biking tracks I hope that helps. I would say the bus was good if you don�t want the party bus feel and like nature stuff (hiking, cycling, beaches forest etc). Ages on our trip were probably from early 20s to mid 30s and a cool bunch of people. I would definitely recommend the trip to anyone. If your not too bored already heres a brief bit from my blog with a rough day by day guide to what we got to do DAY ONE - joined bus with about 14 people on and headed off to bay of Islands area leaving raining Auckland - Stopped at beach for picnic lunch � couple of people went for swim but too cold for me! - Got to Paihia and booked my dolphin swimming for next day, also saw giant stingray in harbor which was a bit worrying with snorkeling next day! - - did about a 15k ride to camp site via waterfalls and coast which was pretty impressive - Set up camp and played volleyball for few hours - Maori guy came and joined us at mealtime and played guitar and taught us Maori songs � very cool! DAY TWO - Early start for dolphin swimming and on boat by 9am - Saw heaps of dolphins on trip and also went snorkeling at beach on bay of islands which was beautiful, water was freezing but visibility pretty good. Walked to the top of the island we were on and could see for miles - Got back to camp and had Kumara (like a sweet potato) which was v nice washed down with Monteiths (my favourite NZ beer) - Went to maori show at Waitangi which was really well done. One guy had full facial tattoo which must kill to get done! - Stayed in same camp site DAY THREE - - today I did sandboarding which was hilarious. Basically a huge hill about 300m high and you launch yourself off with a small bodyboard and finish in the lake - then did bike ride through forest on roads, was really dramatic and beginning was grat as mainly downhill. I managed to do about 17k but ben and sarah managed 34k in the sametime � realize I may not be quite as fit as I though - got to camp site and headed to geothermal spas to relax after all exervise. Actually had water slides there too which were pretty full on so had a couple of gos there too - camp site was by a beach and had amazing sunset DAY FOUR - quite a long drive to coromandel but amazing beach when arrived. Had lunch with awesome view of cathedral cove then headed down for kayak trip - kayak was about 3 hours and went into blowholes (no longer active) and even had snacks and drinks in a water cave, heaps of people diving too which looked good - Arrived at amazing beach in coromandel with turqiose waters and had a game of Frisbee on beach for a few hours�sun finally out today and was boiling DAY FIVE - another early start today but got to try bodyboards at last on realy nice surf beach never realized how many nice beaches there were in nz. Some people went for walk or rides but I just chilled and bodyboarded - got to Rotorua and saw heaps of steaming Geysers or geezers as they became known by us! We had some time to wander round the museums and when we got back on the bus it had been done out with streamers and balloons for NYE which was a cool way to get everyone in a party mood - campsire was amazing and surrounded by bubbling mud and had warm ground - had a few drinks on bus and then went to lake t watch fireworks for NYE � now 2007!!! DAY SIX - managed to start the year with early morning bike ride past psrings and geysers�.everything here seems to be bubbling and smoking and strong sulphur smell not the best hangover cure! - We drive to Taupo and I started my year with a leap � skydive. It was the most amazing experience and still cant believe I did it. Could see mountains and lakes and even got a video done�..cant wait to bore everyone at home with it DAY SEVEN - today we were up early for the tongariro crossing. It was a bit rainy when we started and was worried but really cleared up and the trek was amazing. Apparently its known as the best one day walk in the world and I now knw why. You go past mount doom and see volcanic rocks, sulphur lakes, geothermal springs and rainforest all in one walk. We sneaked up a bottle of champagne from new year to pop at the top and walked down with big smiles all round - stopped for fish and chips after walk and also battered pineapple which I had never had before�.not sure I will be having it again but fish was nice - got to site and wasn�t that keen on idea of camping but guides had arranged surprise for us and had night in cabins with lovely beds�.best night sleep I can remember DAY EIGHT - Cant believe how quickly this has gone but already the last day of my trip. A few of the others are heading on to South Island and really wish I was going with them - Got to Wellington and had a few coffees and made the most of Christmas sales. Now on way to aiport for flight back but cant wait to come back and do south island.