Arrival in New Zealand

Sunday 21st October

I arrived in Auckland on a wet and dreary evening after a 4 hour flight from Melbourne. Here I am joining a coach tour of the North and South islands. This sounded a much easier way of getting around New Zealand and seeing as much as possible in the shortest available time. As accomodation is so expensive for a single person ( you have to pay for a double room) I have taken the option of a twin share which means if someone else on the tour has opted to do this then we will share a room.

I met my room mate later that evening. A french canadian of similar age to myself so I'm sure we will get along fine.

The next morning we set off travelling north to the Bay of Islands. The drive was through very hilly, green countryside with thousands of sheep! The rain was coming down quite heavily so it did spoil one or two of the views but already you could see a beautiful landscape emerging. My only problem is whether I will manage this trip without being sick! Because of the number of winding roads I did find it difficult. I am wearing my travel bands and have tablets with me but if I take them I will just sleep. I think it might come to a choice of sleep or sick!!!!!

 We stopped to view a couple of things on the way. One I liked was this pioneer school.

The best thing about the school was the list of rules for teachers dated 1915. Note that this was for female teachers. I wonder if there was a similar list for male teachers.