There's more to NZ than sheep, kiwifruit and LOTR

NO PERSON OF SANE MIND SHOULD GO WITHOUT A NANDOS FOR 3 MONTHS - 

I needed the quiet, cheeky satisfaction of a Portugese peri peri chicken with peri-salted chips. The hot spice was not so spicy as it was diluted with mayo and my pita was smeared with salad of all things; forcing me to be more nutritious. That is, until I picked most of it out! 

This probably doesn't say much about my taste in music but I was beyond PSYCHED to relive my youth at the reunion tour of 90s era pop bands - Liberty X, Atomic Kitten and B*Witched. And at what cost? Only the best $20 I've spent since living here! The night before, I scored a cheapie seat on Trade Me at 1/4 of the original ticket value. 

TEENYBOPPED WITH THE BEST OF THEM - 

We celebrated the girl groups and I'm not even slightly ashamed of this night of nineties joy and singing my soul out, as was the almost packed auditorium. An S Club Party was tremendously enjoyed minus S Club 3, who were due to perform but it later turned out that Jo's suspected food poisoning was a far more serious strangulated bowel. Bradley and Tina came on to wave and apologise but since they were in the building and their songs were played out they could have at least stuck around to dance with us!

An awesome DJ spun (or however decks work - I know not of the lingo) tunes from that decade including old school R n' B brilliance. Friends were made with my whole row as we lol-ed at the dance solo by a Boy Britney up in the balcony. 

IT WAS EVERYTHING MY 13 YEAR OLD SELF HOPED FOR - 

All the bands sang live and surprisingly tunefully including Kerry Katona who I was convinced couldn't hold a note! I swear down all these women look *exactly* the same as when they were topping the charts; WHY DON'T THEY AGE?!!! Liberty X were an awesome opener with the saucy Just a little and let's just say the men were not missed. 

I now pronounce the Kitties fabulousssss and B*witched were a quite charming, double-denimed, Lyndsay-less trio. A fun time was had by all in attendance!

GELATO IS WHAT GIVES MY LIFE SHADE AND MEANING - 

And I fell in love with an ice cream! The haute gelato (no less) from Giapo was incredibly dreamy. I'm not usually a lover of strawberry and cream as a flavour but this version is to be cherished and then a scoop of avocado, yes AVOCADO topped with toasted almonds and a fresh strawberry was heaven. 

Waitangi Day was spent laughing with some of New Zealand's finest as we went to check out the resplendent Awhitu Peninsula. My good friends and I assembled at Kalolo's then onwards to the historical Manukau Heads Lighthouse with FANTASTIC views from the top. Any old dimwit can photograph somewhere so spectacular but the lighthouse and beyond is beaut. 

I'M DIGGING NZ BADLY - 

It is good for my heart. How fortunate I am to live in the coolest country for a short time. Kalolo fed our bellies brilliantly with a picnic fit for princes and princesses. Shortly after we went on to Kariotahi beach for chilling. It's an affront to be in Auckland and not visit one of the volcanic, black sand beaches on the West Coast! 

I absolutely get the expression 'hotfoot it' as that's what happened to us in cartoonish fashion with the sand too scorching for bare feet. There was no chance I was swimming as the waves were insane. Zani girl be cray as I filmed her sand exfoliation Youtube tutorial as she smeared some all over her face; explaining the beauty benefits as she did so before washing it off with salty seawater. 

COR, I HAVE A SIMPLE, HAPPY, LITTLE LIFE HERE - 

This is largely owing to my beautiful buddies who are sooooo nice that they'll never escape me - mwahahahaaaaaaAAAAA :D As if we hadn't eaten plentifully previously we sat down to our Truckie banquet to feast upon garlic bread, steak, potato salad, fried eggs and the BEST chips I've tasted in NZ. So much deliciousness was put away that I had food baby triplets and it almost hurt. 

For afters, cinnamon apple crumble and ice cream hit the spot as sweet stuff is my kryptonite. Zani's Oliver 'please Sir, can I have some more?' request for an extra scoop of ice cream led to the prompt serving of TEN more to the table, especially for us! Our car full CAR-a-oked as would James Corden cos you can't have a road trip without a sing song. We slayed the likes of Whitney and many more besides! This merry Monday was obviously the highlight of my hols weekend. 

I will never regret coming along for an adventure with this gorgeous group

We scraped together quite an awesome car crew on the way up to Whananaki: Hinsan, Kieran, Zani, Syndi and I. These four are genuinely four of the kindest gems I have had the chance to befriend. It was fun getting to know them more and snack on coconut, chocolate covered macadamia nuts which is greater than you know. 

*THIS* IS HOW YOU MAKE NOODLES, BRITAIN - 

My homies and I stopped in Whangarei which was a ghost town just gone 9pm. Syndi remembered that she'd had a supreme Thai meal round about and we sniffed it out or rather Hinsan's GPS located the 2 Thai restaurants in the vicinity. The first was ruled out as Syndi didn't recognise it before we descended upon Pimarn Thai. Instead of broadening my Thai cuisine horizons I went with a safe bet of chicken pad thai; it was cooked beautifully and made my belly happy. 

We were last to leave after the kitchen had already closed up and the poor servers were just imploring us to go. They were too polite to kick us out! It was our intention to take a short pit stop to fuel our tums but we'd spent over an hour eating. And so, the fab five rocked up a little after 11pm to Whananaki Holiday Park. Mostly everyone was already in bed but I enjoyed 'meeting' (could barely see any faces under the charcoal sky) those who were still awake before bedding down in the tent palace I shared with some of the girls. 

IT'S NOT ABOUT LOOKING GOOD ALL THE TIME BUT ABOUT BEING COMFORTABLE AND FUN - 

I was free of cosmetics all Saturday long, starting off with a very special breakfast as all 14 of us sat down to wholemeal, pumpkin-spiced pancakes. Then with haste we did scamper to Matapouri to bliss out on an exotic beach on a sunshine day, with people I really enjoy having as my new sidekicks. 

Golden sand, tranquil waters, Kalolo, Syndi and Zani singing pleasingly and making spontaneous Boomerang clips. What's not to love? I perfected my sausage sizzle (not that it's complicated to boil pre-cooked pork cylinders!!) and it can be deemed a success as all was gobbled and no one was ill. 

Wearing cheapo sandals was a mistake on every level but I wasn't to know that in order to get to the mermaid pools we had to traverse tough terrain. As I was climbing up a hill so steep, (my sandals damp from paddling) snapped and the strap broke beyond repair so I had to ditch them and complete the trek there and back barefooted. AND a rope was in place, deemed required to assist us up the incline. 

IT'S DEFINITELY A BUCKET LIST THING - 

I would've been devastated had I not persevered to come to this idyllic destination. These cerulean, aquamarine and sapphire hued, natural, tidal rock pools were so enticing that most of the group jumped in immediately to get their Ariel on. I love how Zani and co live this larger-than-life life but I lack boldness and strong swimming capabilities. So as much as I might wish it .. I'll never be a mermaid. It freaks me out when I can't reach the bottom on my tippy toes and some parts were 3 metres deep. 

On seeing kids splashing around, I gave in to the water but would've felt more safe and secure with a float or a life jacket. Infinitely glad that I didn't miss out, thanks to two girls who noticed my fear, swam across to place me on a rock in the cool waters and all so that I could be IN the pools. There I stayed for an extended period of time, content and posing like the Copenhagen merworman statue. 

MY INNER MERMAID IS YET TO BE FULLY RELEASED - 

When I wanted to move towards my buddies, these women encouraged me to swim the two metres, staying beside me in case I needed them.. I MADE IT! We chillaxed as a collective while Kieran snapped pics of everyone. The pool was so refreshing that it woulda been divine to have taken a real dip. 

Next, Jorja and I jumped waves and despite the fact that I'm afraid of the ocean and its power it didn't prevent me from cantering over the crest. I miscalculated a leap in a major way and swallowed too much water; granted it must have looked hilarious but EWW. 

I CAN'T BE LIVING IN NZ FOREVER IF ALL THE CHIPS ARE SUB PAR TO THE UK - 

My snack box chicken nuggets and 'chups meal was incomparably worse to the ones back home. Not only that but I had taken tartare sauce thinking it was aioli so had to pay an additional $2.50; as I queued up to purchase this - the server wrote out an IOU to me as she had no change.. and I raged. The crazy train of my fury came into the station as I ranted about the incompetence and how backwards this chippy was. 

Picnicked at Whangarei Falls with mon amis; if it sounds terrif, that's cos it was! Kaitlin fed the birds our leftover scraps like the woman out of Mary Poppins, she beckoned the birdies over. 

Syndi, Kalolo and I had a slumber party to beautify with a nose strip and facial mask. Kalolo is basically an honourary lady now!! Zombies in appearance with the masks dangling off our flesh, it felt like Face Off as we peeled off; pleased with the soft results. 

ANOTHER STUNNING LOCATION FOR US TO VISIT AND EAT AT - 

After attending church, we lunched at Waro Lake - formed from an old, limestone quarry and where the Hikurangians go for fun around here. Kieran gathered us together to snap a few pictures, commemorating the time we've spent together. We were very Kate Moss!

Back at the campsite, most snuggled up for a nap on the mat. Pen, Zani and I walked over the estuary when the Sunday siesta had concluded and heavenly views met us. Normalement, I'm a big fan of a spontaneous stroll but it didn't take long for it to hit me that my bladder was full. Some of the rest joined us up to Whananki beach; I pressed on not wanting to miss out. 

MOTHER EARTH LOVES AOTEAROA VERY MUCH - 

A spellbinding, summery evening was spent along the shimmery river and partaking in a photo shoot. The classic look over the shoulder was employed while we were all in a row. A BBQ dinner was served up by our brothers who are such catches with their cooking skillage. We were fed so well on spicy, marinaded chicken *still drooling over a month after the event* These mealtimes with friends have been exceptional. Desserted on homemade coconut truffles and I cherish them above all other truffles!!

I was weirdly brilliant at the boardgaming (she says in a boastful manner) with my ludicrously creative answers in Balderdash and Byron and I crushing the initial round of Sequence. Neither of these games had I ever played before but I could have easily continued sportingly all through the night. 

EVERYONE IN THE UNIVERSE LOVES A SHOOTING STAR - 

Zani, Kalolo and myself laid out on the mat, gazing up at the silver, twinkly stars sprinkled across the clearest sky as they flashed before our eyes. All that was missing from perfection was a mug of warm cocoa! The Milky Way was on full display in all its immense beauty and I was blown away by our glittery Galaxy. 

As midnight neared, we decided that if we saw one more shooting star before it hit 0:00 am the dream that we wished would come true by the end of the year. Lo and behold, we witnessed a final sparkle as a meteor flickered past. We got giddy as it was as though this was just for *us*. When the universe intends for something to happen, it will happen..

I AM LITERALLY THE MOST COWARDLY PERSON YOU WILL EVER MEET - 

I'm the poster girl for wimps in fact, yet there I was scared out of my mind entering the mouth of Abbey Caves. Before long, I was savouring the adventurous challenge, feeling like I was co-starring in an Indiana Jones movie. Midway through I found myself LIKING it as I scrambled over jagged, slippery rocks in total darkness. 

In what could have led to calamity, I had help to hand every step of the way thanks to my newfound friendship with The Felicias. It's amazing how they calmed and encouraged me along while Hinsan, our brill tour guiding mate led the way. My sunnies were lost when they fell off my top into the murky waters below; just as well they were only £2 from Primark!!

LIFE IS TOO SHORT NOT TO EXPERIENCE THESE THINGS - 

The terrifying chasms below ensured that we were extra careful to avoid plunging to our demise. At one point, I'll admit I had a 5 alarm freak out as falling would have been painful but that quickly passed. Wading through thigh deep water made our labours more complicated and we've established that I don't deal well with that. I don't know if I've ever done anything this wild until now... maybe I oughta steer clear of aquatic based activities. 

Amazed as glow worms studded the cave; often just a few inches from our faces. The complete prettiness of the larvae's phosphorescence bejeweling the crevices was legendary. In the pitch black vastness, I trod on Syndi as she was readying herself to catch me as I'd mistaken her leg for one of the rocks. I'm still deeply, DEEPLY sorry for that.   

I must say I was impressed that I managed the feat and felt exhilirated. Celebrating myself for my daring and it was to be a grand celebration with KFC :D No one has fewer nice things to say about this fast food brand than I but my zinger wasn't a minger!

*SIGH*, THE WORLD IS GOOD TO ME IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC - 

Te Arai beach should be conceited it is that gorgeously Instagrammable! Truly, all of NZ is unbearably beautiful but nothing beats just chillin' beside the sparkling seaside with MY people. With the bluest of blue skies, softest of golden sands and the coolest of comrades, I considered myself one fortunate female. 

As the new girl in these circles, I was welcomed with arms wide open and I'm plenty grateful for the invitation. I will always be that weirdo you once camped with and look forward to future fun with the Felicias - if you'll have me :) xx