Around the World with Hardy(T)

New Zealand

I spent pretty much all of February in New Zealand following the exploits of the England cricket team and, more importantly, the antics of the self-styled followers of the England team, the Barmy Army.

The trip started in Auckland, but I soon headed down through the North Island, stopping at the geothermal area of Rotorua and New Zealand's largest lake, Lake Taupo. I arrived in Wellington in time for the Second Test, which England duly won. After a week in Wellington, I nipped across to Cook Strait to the South Island and spent some time sea kayaking in the Abel Tasman National Park. After that I headed down the coast to Greymouth before taking the spectacular mountain train journey across to Christchurch. I watched England win the Third Test, and the series 2-0, before heading up to Kaikoura for some whale watching. I then made my way back up to Auckland for the One Day International, which England also won! I finished my time in New Zealand with an excellently relaxing few days in Paihia, in the beautiful Bay of Islands.

I flew back to Australia on February 27th.