February 2 - Our Departure

Today was the start of our voyage around the world. We departed SFO at 9:30 am. Donna and I spent our 9 hour layover in LA with her friends, Chris and Barbara. Chris drove us around in his truck, we ate at Boston Market, got batteries at Radio Shack, walked along Rodeo Drive, had desert at Planet Hollywood, and walked along Santa Monica Pier where we rode the carousel. My stomach was a little upset and I was very sleepy since I only had 2 hours sleep. We departed LAX at 8:15pm and were on our way to New Zealand. During the flight we crossed the Date Line and skipped a day.

February 4 - Auckland

Our flight was only 11 hours and I actually slept during most of it. After getting our tent checked for seeds we hung out at the terminal for 2-hours. We took a bus to the city center and looked for a hostel. We saw Albert Park and Queen Street. Then settled in at Kiwi Hilton. I took a 3-hour nap then went to YHA, red light district, and had some fish and fruit for lunch. We walked around to the wharfs, took photos and booked a cruise on the 'Pride of Auckland' for Wednesday. We looked in some shops, saw old Customs House, at kebabs on Queen Street. We had a beer across the street from the hostel. Our hostel was a hole in the wall with a burned smell.

February 5

We moved to the YHA, which is much nicer. Today we went to the Auckland museum; saw a giant Moa bird and other bird displays, canoes, and war stuff. Took a walk I a big park to beach road and had to run in order to make it to the sailboat for lunch. We got there just in time. After we set sail we had a yachtie box for lunch then sailed under the harbor bridge. Donna and I took turns at the wheel. Then a storm came along and the wind blew so hard that we almost tipped over. It was very scary but we made it back. After our sailing trip we went to the Maritime museum and walked up Queen street. We had dinner at a Korean place and met a couple from Perth at the hostel.

February 6 - Rotarua Waitangi Day

After a good night sleep we packed up in the morning and got bus tickets for the trip to Rotorua. We took a last walk around town. It was an enjoyable bus trip. We stopped in Hamilton for a break. We drove through some rainforest of tree ferns. When we got to Rotorua, we soaked our feet in a hot water mineral bath located in the city for the public. After walking around town and eating kiwis, we set up our tent in campground near Acacia park. That evening we walked around the steaming mud pools with a flashlight.

February 7

"Sulfur Paradise" After breakfast we went to hot mud and water pots. We explored the lakeside and found steam vents and hot water bubbling up everywhere. There was an old Maori church and a boat dock. There was a group of men carrying a Maori Waka (canoe) into the water for an exhibition. They did some impressive maneuvers, and then Donna and I went out on one of the Wakas. We had to shout "O--RE--O--" then "Huh!" After our boat ride we went and had some ice cream, looked around some shops, and got groceries. That evening we went to a concert at the convention center. It was like a celebration of Maori heritage with an art show and traditional performances. We saw some awesome Maori dancing and paintings. It turned out that we were here for their annual art festival.

February 8

We walked to Rainbow Farm, a sheep farm tourist attraction. During a show Donna held a shovel behind a bull and I fed the young lambs. There was a sheep shearing demonstration and many different kinds of sheep, dogs, cows, and pigs. The zoo was better at Rainbow Springs. There were heaps of huge trout swimming in a pond. I saw a live kiwi bird in a dark exhibit room. We saw a wallaby and baby chicks while we were walking on a trail to the springs. We bought some fruit and stopped at a thermal pool on the way home. It felt great to soak in the hot water. We met a couple from Australia. After eating we walked to the government gardens and the Polynesian Spa. I was feeling a little groggy that evening.

February 9 - Whakatane

Packed everything up and headed out of town. Got a ride with a Danish couple, Younis and Suzanne. We all went to the Kiwi Plantation near Te Poka. We rode around in a giant Kiwi orchard and packing plant. We stopped in Wakatane, had some lunch at a cafe and set up camp in a caravan park. We ran into Michael again. We walked down to the riverhead and found some shells, saw a Maori cave, a waterfall and a very big rock. Donna's leg was hurting and I got blisters on both feet. We limped back after having Kentucky Fried Chicken for dinner.