The Big Gay Out is touted as New Zealand's premier gay event, It is always fun and easy to be at - wander around the stalls, listen to the music, watch the drag queens. The Get it On! Big Gay Out 2012, Coyle Park, Pt Chevalier on Sunday 12 February 2012. … [Read more...]
Hot Pools – swim all year round in NZ
When I was hitchhiking around NZ 35 years ago, it took me a while to realise that you always pack your swimmers (togs, swimming costumes, swimwear...). Even though it is cold and even snowing, you never know when you are going to run into a hot pool. We visited De Bretts Hot Pools in Taupo on the way home from skiiing, visited Waiwera Hotpools north of Auckland for a winter … [Read more...]
A Days Road Trip around the Coromandel
Thirty five years ago I hitchhiked my way to Whitianga with a pack on my back and guitar in my hand. I ended up at the Anglican Vicarage where we formed a community of sorts - as Christian hippies - I lived there for four years. I worked with the Vicar, Bill Smith and his family in the parish, which included everything from Manaia to Port Jackson on one coast and Pauanui to … [Read more...]
Whangarei, Northland
Whangarei is the northern most city in New Zealand, on the way to the Bay of Islands, or more importantly to the Tutukaka Coast (we are parochial up here) and the Poor Knights Islands. It has a fabulous marina and some top shops, and the best sub-tropical diving. More on Whangarei here Make time to stop and stay on your trip North - here are my top picks - the Google Map … [Read more...]
Kayaking the Bay of Islands
I have spent hours stuffing my gear into small waterproof bags in my motel in Paihia in the Bay of Islands, in the North of New Zealand. My gear is now piled on top of the rest in the back of the van - how are we going to fit all that in kayaks!! Jill, Simcha, Ruth, Rosemary, Theodora There are five of us - brought together on this women's trip … [Read more...]
A Fishwife Tale – Bay of Plenty
Dianne Sharma-Winter writes: The setting sun cloaked the evening sky in shades of pinky pastel, highlighting the active volcano of White Island that dominates the coastline around here. A woman wandering by grabs a knife and in swift strokes, beheads the three struggling Kahawai on the beach. “No taste like it,” she sighs in satisfaction. “From the sea to the plate in one … [Read more...]
Kayaking trip for women in Bay of Islands
Bushwise Women have a sea kayaking trip in the Bay of Islands, Northland New Zealand February 2011 with a few spaces - I am keen to go, but we need a few more - what about joining us? Information here … [Read more...]
A Day in the Life of a Wwoofer in New Zealand
My Shitty Day - a day in the life of a wwoofer by Rachel So, we are new women after today. No more manicured nails, no more moussed hair, we no longer have clean skin. You know those expressions 'a load of shit' or 'holy shit' or 'shitbuckets'? Well, let us tell you, we now know exactly how much a load entails, what shitbuckets look like, and let us be clear, there is … [Read more...]
Staying in Auckland
The Big Blue house B&B For many women visiting Auckland, The Big Blue House is the first choice - it is homely, central, and there is a great value single room for women travelling on their own. We stayed there last week and also staying were a couple from South Carolina travelling NZ. They said they always stayed in B&Bs because it was the best way to experience a … [Read more...]
Kayaking and Ecotour in Ruakaka, Whangarei
October Long Weekend – a big high was predicted, and a morning high tide – perfect conditions for a paddle in the Ruakaka Estuary and wildlife reserve. Ruakaka is 20 minutes south of Whangarei and 10 mins from Waipu in Northland. Approx. half way to the Bay of Islands its a great place to stop off and discover some of the real New Zealand. … [Read more...]