Taking To Two Wheels In NZ

My experience of cycling goes as far as to get on a bike if I visit Center Parcs with the family or to set myself to an advanced level on an exercise bike at the gym (which doesn't happen nearly as often as it probably should). Having taken many a bus and campervan journey through New Zealand's stunning winding roads, I can definitely see how this mode of transport would help you experience the true beauty of this great country and my friends at Evans Cycles want to encourage you to do just that.

If you're heading to New Zealand it's the perfect place to find something to get the adrenaline pumping.  

But if you'd like to get off the beaten track of skydives, bungee jumps and white water rafting, why not get yourself on a mountain bike and attack with gusto some of the most beautiful scenery you're ever likely to come across.

A Specialized Rockhopper would do the trick nicely as you look to surround yourself with the hardy terrain of the North Island.  There are many tracks set in towering forests that accommodate all levels of ability and fearlessness.

The Woodhill Forest near Auckland provided the setting for the White Witch in the Narnia films, but the imposing backdrop plays host to over 50 tracks that offer up 150km of riding for you to explore.
If you'd like to really test yourself on your bike, there are companies that offer week-long tours that can be extended up to ten days.  Costing in the region of £300, you will take in tracks that vary from purpose-built bike parks to technical hiking trails and back-country single track.

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Broken Flip Flops? Non.

Does this happen to anyone else? Or am I some kind of freak of nature?

Ok, maybe don't answer that last one.

I was *blessed* with big feet. As someone who lives in the Western world, this has never presented me with a problem, mainly because a lot of other women in the UK seemingly have big feet too.

In fact, the only problem I'm ever presented with is the fact that my size frequently sells out first, because there are so many big-footed women like me walking around and not enough of "our" size to go around. Just imagine us all in shoe sales, running for the last pair, until we trip and fall over our clown feet. Sad but true.

Anyway, my big-footedness has never caused me any concern before, until recently in Mexico. When two pairs of flip flops broke.

That's right: two.

Not to mention the fact that another pair of flip flops had broken on me in October last year while walking the streets of Belgrade.

If you've ever had a pair of flip flops break on you while away from home, you'll know how embarassing and awkward this situation is.

At first, I figured it was the brand I was wearing. The first two pairs which broke were Havaianas, which had accompanied me on all of my trips so far (I even waded through the flooded streets of Vietnam in my green pair). I assumed that maybe they were just poorly made or I had been too rough with them.

But then, one day at the beach in Mexico, my pair of Reefs broke. These were leather and supposed to be sturdy and last me for years (well, probably not years, but that was my hope when I invested in them - or rather, when Scott did; they were a present from him).

I was heartbroken. I now had no pairs of flips flops to wear. At the beach.

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Flashback Friday: Sunset Over The Grand Canal

This photo was taken on my birthday last year. After an unsuccessful trip out to the island of Burano (a long story and one which was no fault of Burano's), we managed to salvage the day by drinking Prosecco and eating canapes next to the Grand Canal, all while the annual Regatta Storica was taking place.

It was a fantastic experience and one which I'm not sure we truly appreciated at the time, but looking back it was definitely a memorable moment.

That was, until my flip flop fell into the Grand Canal and Scott had to jump into a stranger's boat and retrieve it with an oar while locals and tourists all cheered us on.

It could only happen to us....

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I Hugged A Honey Bear...And I Liked It

If you couldn't already tell from posts like my reindeer encounter, I'm a big animal lover.

Sky diving, bungee jumping, completing a four-day hike? Nah. I'd much rather gawk at some exotic animals or swim with dolphins (still on my bucket list, unfortunately). When I visited New Zealand, two of the main things I wanted to do was to go and visit the glowworm caves in Waitomo and see the penguins in Otago (we all know how that one turned out). Even though I did go zorbing in Rotorua, that was pretty much the extent of the adrenaline-fueled activities I completed.

So when I found out that the little beach resort we were staying in on the west coast of Mexico had an animal refuge which was trying to educate local people about how to nurture and approach their indigenous wildlife, I wanted to take a look for myself.

I am a big fan of animal shelters and refuges. At home, I regularly visited my local animal shelter (even though it constantly broke my heart) and even sponsored animals who couldn't find good homes of their own.

In Mexico, these types of centres are crucial in educating the younger generations about wildlife. Coatis, for example, are regularly killed by locals who see them as aggressive and dangerous. They try to keep them as pets when they are small babies (and cute to boot), but once they grow into adulthood and start trying to claim their own food and territory, people feel they can no longer handle them. By this point, the coatis don't know how to adapt and live in the wild by themselves and so die.

The refuge offers heavily discounted admission rates to locals, as well as open days for schoolchildren, in the hopes that they will come and learn more about how to care and treat lizards, birds, turtles and much more which are constantly in danger due to outdated customs and beliefs.

I'd happily give any money I could spare to causes such as this.

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Where To Stay In Zihuatanejo: Quinta Camelinas Hotel

Zihuatanejo - a little corner of Mexico previously made famous by The Shawshank Redemption.

And after visiting the beaches and soaking up the vibe of the city, I can see why it was name-dropped in the film.

What I particularly loved about Zihuatanejo was the accommodation choices. This isn't your typical high-rise beach resort and neither was it filled with sub-par hostels cramming visitors into bunk beds. Instead, the focus seemed to be much more on quaint B&Bs, small, friendly hotels and an emphasis on feeling like a local.

This was were Quinta Camelinas fitted in perfectly. It was far enough out of the main centre of the city to feel  secluded and yet only a ten minute walk into the action.

We arrived in Zihuatanejo at around 6am, after taking an overnight bus from Mexico City. It was dark and humid and we were tired and looking forward to just dropping our bags off in the room. Unfortunately for us, we asked a friendly local for directions and got pointed in...well...the wrong direction.

It's often like that in Mexico; instead of feeling as though they are letting you down, locals will give you directions, even if they have no clue where the place is that you are looking for. They will also tell you that your destination is only two or three blocks away, when really it's another twenty minute walk.

Finally, after confusedly walking round in the heat for an hour, we found the hotel, down a small side street (and once we had gotten our bearings quickly realised that it should have taken us only ten minutes to walk there. Damn you Mexico, and your over-zealous kindness!)

Luckily for us, the hotel owner was happy to let us check in as soon as we arrived, which meant that a snooze and shower were in order after our long journey (both on the bus and the subsequent walk).

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Flashback Friday: The White Lady, Auckland

I'd never particularly associated New Zealand with burgers until I visited the country.

Then I got sucked into trying every one of the burger chains I could find (which wasn't hard - there's one on every corner), all with their own huge burger creations topped with a vast array of delights. (My particular favourite is BurgerFuel. Yes, I did try Fergburger, on two different occasions, but for a chain, I think BurgerFuel is awesome. Plus, they never run out of avocado like Fergburger did. So there.)

When I read about the White Lady burger van in Auckland on a news travel article, I knew we had to give it a go.

The van sometimes moves locations (as is the want of a van, I guess) but can usually be found around Commerce Street, close to a couple of the noisier hostels and bars.

We had to walk quite a ways from our accommodation to find it, but it was worth the effort. We stood in line with a couple of drunks and ordered big burgers with toppings such as egg, bacon and cheese, as well as a portion of fries.

The burgers are pretty darn tasty, but it's definitely the aesthetic appeal of the van that draws the crowds. That, and the fact that they open late into the night so it's a great spot to grab a bite to eat after the bars have closed.

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