Around the World in 22 days

Our trip started in San Jose, California. GMT +8 hrs.

After spending a relaxing Xmas there, doing a little shopping and eating and visiting the Seaside, we flew down to Los Angeles. Interestingly, the Americans now insist on Xraying one's shoes before letting you get on a flight.

After a short stay at LAX we flew to Auckland, New Zealand, (GMT -13 hrs - we missed Dec 28th) transferring to an internal flight down to Christchurch.

This is New Zealand's third largest city, but it felt about the same size as Guildford. Rather warmer, though.

Then we toured the South Island of New Zealand.

It rained a lot, but finished on a much brighter note when we reached Blenheim, heart of the Marlborough wine growing region.

Then we crossed to Wellington on the North Island on the Interislander ferry.

Hotels/motels in NZ are seriously cheap. We're staying at a really great place in Auckland (marble bathroom, his'n'hers bathrobes, free NZ-Champagne ...) for just over fifty quid a night and the cheapest place (admittedly not so much as a bath, let alone a robe) was £12! Food is cheap too, so is wine - the attraction of the place is becoming obvious.

And finally, out and about in Auckland, a brief trip to Rotorua, and for those interested in trains, some piccies of the Overlander.