Auckland back to Coffs Harbour 15/08/16

Jenny, Andy, Ben and I were all catching flights back to Sydney so we all had to be up at 4am ready to leave at 5am. We loaded all of our stuff into the car and drove straight to Auckland airport.I managed to check in with Andy and Jenny in business check in which was a lot quicker. We went through security and they randomly asked the woman in front of me to weigh her bags. I was so relieved as I knew mine was probably double the weight you are allowed on as cabin baggage!

Jenny and Andy got Ben and I into the Quantas Business lounge where we had breakfast. Ben had to leave slightly earlier than us to get his flight, so we said goodbye and then Andy, Jenny and I left around 15 minutes later.

We got on the plane and flew around 3 hours to get back from Sydney. I watched Mothers Day, more Ab Fab and half of Allegiant. I only got halfway through so can hopefully watch the rest of it on the plane back home.

I met Andy and Jenny at baggage and said goodbye to them which was sad. Andy had given me a business class lounge invitation, so I tried to go there straight away. That’s when I found out you could only drop your bags 6 hours before the flight time. My flight wasn’t until 7pm and it was only 9am, so I had around 4 hours to wait till 1pm.

I spoke to Jenny and Andy about going back to their apartment, but we realised it would be pointless. So I sat in the airport and caught up with writing my blog. I also got to speak from Em, so the time went really quickly.

I went through security just after 1pm, had a look in a few of the shops and then went straight to the lounge. It was really nice in there with free food and drinks. I spoke to mum for a bit, uploaded a lot of my photos and then wrote more of my blog. I also had some free champagne which was really nice!

My flight to Coffs Harbour was at 7pm with boarding at 6.40pm. I got to the gate in time but for some reason they called Andy to find out where I was. I ended up being one of the first on the place and luckily had no one sitting next to me.

I got into Coffs Harbour at around 8 and called a taxi as soon as I collected my bags. I got back to the YHA at 8.30ish, picked up the things I had left in storage, and then went to re pack my suitcase. I tried to be as quick as possible as I had to be up really early to catch the 5am bus to Yamba. As soon as I was packed I went to sleep. 

Hungover trip to Devonport 14/08/16

Everyone was feeling really tired and hungover from the night before, so we had a lazy morning. Andy cooked us bacon sarnies which we all needed! There had been talk the day before of Jenny and I jumping from the Sky Tower but that definitely wasn’t going to happen today.

We gradually got dressed and watched Maddie open her presents from the party. Afterwards, we decided we would go to Devonport so I could see some of Auckland. Claire had crazily gone to hockey training in the morning so there was me, Andy, Jenny, Ben, Maddie, Ian and Cheryl. As soon as we got outside Jenny and I realised we wanted our coats, so we went back up to get them whilst the others walked to the ferry terminal. We thought we were going to be late so we practically ran down to the ferry terminal, only to realise it left 15 minutes later than we thought.

We caught the ferry over to Devonport and headed straight to climb Mount Victoria You got some great views from there and could see all the way back to central Auckland.

There were some war tunnels at the top and also some random toadstools. Maddie and I took some photos and then we walked back down. 

We went and got fish and chips which we ate by the waterfront. There were sea gulls and ducks which kept getting really close to us. We were all so tired at this point, Ben fell asleep in the fish and chip shop.

We then said bye to Cheryl, who was getting picked up from Devonport, and headed straight back to catch the ferry. It was quite choppy which wasn’t helping the hangover. We went back to the apartment and watched some of the Olympics.

Maddie, Ben, Ian and I decided to go out and get some dinner from Burger Fuel. They had a Bambina burger which was funny as bambina is what my mum calls me. I got kumara fries which I hadn’t had before and really liked.

We chatted until the evening and then it was time to say goodbye to Maddie and Ian. They had around a 45 minute drive and Maddie had to be at Uni for 8am so they couldn’t leave too late. I was quite sad as I had had such a good weekend and don’t know when I will next see them.

We went to sleep straight after they had left as we were all knackered and half to be up at 4am for our flight back to Sydney. 

Maddie's 21st Party 13/08/16

The venue for Maddie’s party was absolutely gorgeous! It was decorated really well and there were a few of screens streaming photos of Maddie’s life (including some very embarrassing ones of us!). It was right by the water on the front of Viaduct Harbour.

Maddie’s last surprise was a photo booth, which was SO cool. There were different props that we could use to dress up and take silly pictures with. Bea, Claire and I got in there straight away.

As more people turned up I got to meet loads of Maddie’s friends which was fun. We drunk a lot more throughout the evening and danced loads. Jenny and I were the first on the dance floor, and had to gradually drag more and more people to join us.

The DJ was great, and I was very happy when ‘Apple Bottom Jeans’ aka Low by Flo Rida came on as it reminded me loads of my Topdeck trip. We dance and took a ridiculous amount of photos in the booth. 

At parties over here, it’s really common for friends and family to give speeches. Andy and Jenny gave really nice speeches, and a few of Maddie’s friends. Ben and Ian each gave a speech, which were a lot tamer then we expected. Ben said he wanted to say more embarrassing stories but everyone else’s speeches were too nice. About 10 minutes prior, Maddie asked if I would do a speech for her. I agreed and then tried to think of what to say. I came up with a few stories from when we were younger. I was meant to say about how we had both been excluded from school for fighting and how we laugh about it now but after about 8 wines throughout the day I completely blanked. It felt like a short speech but she liked it so I was happy.

After the speeches we had food which were amazing buffalo wings, chips and chocolate cake. It was exactly the kind of food you needed when you were drunk! We carried on dancing and took more photos in the booth. As it came to midnight the DJ had to stop playing. We decided to keep going at a club called Danny Doolans.

By this point my feet were killing me. I had been used to wearing trainers and walking boots for the last couple of months, and so almost 6 hours in killer heels was a struggle. Jenny, Claire and I decided to go to the apartment and swap into flats before the club. A couple of Maddie’s friends dropped us off but they only had a two seater. I was in the back/boot whilst Jenny and Claire shared the front seat. We must have looked ridiculous.

Danny Doolans was packed! It was a great club with a live band that played some really cheesy classics and good club songs. We stayed there until around 2.30am and then everyone went to get McDonalds. I walked home with Jenny and then we all sat and ate together. Jenny and Andy went to bed, and then me, Maddie, Ian, Ben, Claire, and Maddie’s friend Cheryl stayed up as long as we could before we passed out from tiredness/drunkenness. It was a brilliant night- the Taylor party rep didn’t disappoint! 

Maddie's 21st Birthday Surprises 13/08/16

We got up fairly early this morning as we had a busy day for Maddie’s 21^st. Andy cooked us a great breakfast with scrambled eggs, mushrooms, smoked salmon and some champagne. Maddie was given her first present, which was a travel fund so she could road trip America. We all got ready and left around 9.30am to go back to the graphics warehouse to show Maddie the canvas. It was nearly as big as her but she absolutely loved it!

We then went back to the apartment until it was 11am and time to see the next surprise. Jenny had got all of Maddie’s friends to send a selfie and birthday message, which was going to be displayed on a billboard on Victoria Street in Central Auckland which was right next to the Sky City Tower.

The first time we walked past we saw a huge message and picture from Jenny and Andy when they were in Rio. The selfie board wasn’t playing so Jenny had to sneak off and sort it with her company. We walked around the sky tower for a bit and then came back to see the messages. It was so cool! We stayed there reading the messages and then went back to the apartment until lunch. The views from the balcony were amazing!

Lunch was booked for 1pm at a really cool Japanese restaurant called Masu by Nic Watt. We had some great sushi there with a few drinks. I ate with chopsticks which I hadn’t done much before and tried loads of different fish like octopus. I ate SO much food as they just kept bringing different dishes for us. Maddie got given her next surprise, which was some gorgeous Tiffany Diamond earrings.

After lunch, Maddie, Jenny and I went to get our nails done before the party, whilst Andy, Ian and Ben went to set up the venue. I got some really cool red shellacs, as my nails didn’t look great after 2 months of travelling. We got back to the apartment around 4ish, just in time for Maddie’s friend Bea to arrive. She was going to do Maddie’s hair and make up for the party.

The boys got back, got changed and then left for the venue, whilst all the girls spent a while getting ready and drinking champagne. Maddie’s friend Claire came over as well. We got some photos and compared them to a really similar photo we had from Maddie's 16th. 

After we had finished our champagne....and tequila shows, we went down to get an Uber. We could see the billboard whilst we waited, which looked even better at night.

We all got in the taxi and headed to the venue to party!

Surprising Maddie in New Zealand 12/08/16

I woke up this morning when my taxi rang me to say it was outside. I don’t know what happened, whether my alarm hadn’t gone off or I had slept through it, but I was really panicking. Luckily I was like mum and planned to get to the airport way earlier than I needed to. The taxi company were really nice and agreed to come back in half an hour while I manic packed everything away.

When I got to the airport I realised I didn’t need to rush as I was practically the only one there. It was absolutely tiny with only one security area and three gates behind the check in desk. I spoke to mum for a bit and bought some breakfast. My flight was at 8.50am so I sat at the gate until it was time to board.

The plane was really small and had propellers on the wings! It was around a hour and a half flight all along the coast so I got some really good views. I was on the aisle seat so couldn’t get any good photos, but it was still cool. I used the time of my flight to plan a rough itinerary for the rest of my trip.

As soon as I got to Sydney, I picked up my bags and transferred from the Quantas Domestic Terminal to the International terminal. The line for check in to my flight to Auckland was really long, and I was told because I didn’t have a visa for check in to New Zealand, I couldn’t check in electronically.

My flight time was at 12.30pm, so I didn’t have too much time between flights. I got pulled out of the queue to go to the front of the line when they realised which flight I was on. My bag weighed exactly 23kg, which I was relieved about as I was convinced it would be too heavy! Once I got through security, I managed to stop for a quick McDonalds breakfast and then got on the plane.

The flight was around 3 hours, so I watched the new Captain America film and some Ab Fab episodes. There was another two hours’ time difference from Sydney to Auckland, so I landed around 5.30pm New Zealand time. I had a bit of difficulty getting through security carrying all my medication. They wanted proof of prescription and a doctor’s letter and asked me loads of questions. Everyone had to go through x-ray and quarantine zone, and I got checked for explosives twice. New Zealand is a lot stricter than Australia, who didn’t even check my prescription.

Once I had got through with all my bags, I got a sky bus to Queen Street in Central Auckland, where I was picked up by Jenny and Andy. We drove to a graphics warehouse to look at one of Maddie’s presents, which was a huge 2.5m x 1.5m canvas full of photos. Even though they had hired a massive car, we realised there was no way it would fit. There were some great pictures on their, and some really funny ones of us as teenagers. 

We went back to their apartment which Jenny had arranged with work. Maddie and her boyfriend Ian had already arrived, so we got her friend Ben, who is also from the UK, to pretend he needed to go out and get wine. We had to hide in the car park until Ben let us know they had left and then we went upstairs. I hid my suitcases in Jenny and Andy’s room and then waited for them to get back. I was really nervous!

I heard Maddie come back and then Jenny and Andy told her they had a surprise present in the wardrobe. She was really unsure about opening the door, but she was definitely surprised when I jumped out. Ben managed to film the whole thing which was funny as she literally screamed!

After we had both recovered we hung out in the apartment together. I went with Andy to pick up an Indian takeaway for us, and saw the Sky City Tower for the first time. 

We had a few drinks and watched some of the Olympics. Maddie was trying to guess some of her surprises for her birthday. We stayed up chatting for most of the night and then all went to bed around 12.30ish. 

Swimming with Seals & Dolphins in Coffs Harbour 11/08/16

I got into Coffs Harbour at around 4am. I had no sleep on the night bus so I was exhausted. I got a taxi straight from the bus stop to the hostel which was the Coffs Harbour YHA. Reception was closed but I had arranged for them to leave a key out for me. My room was upstairs so I had to carry my suitcase up, which was difficult in the dark and when I was trying to be quiet. As soon as I got into my room I went to sleep.

I had to be up a few hours later as I had booked to swim with seals at Dolphin Marine Magic park. I had some breakfast and got chatting to an Australian girl called Sohpie who was also going to the marine park that day. Before I went there, I had to go to the Jetty Dive Centre to pick up my wetsuit for the dive.

From the dive center, it was only a 15 minute walk to the marine park. I ended up getting there really early so I checked in as soon as the center opened. My dive wasn’t until 11.15am, so I got to spend some time looking at the animals.

I first went to see the Little Blue Penguins, and then the Australian Sea Lions. They were really playful and kept diving in and out of the water.

I then went to the dolphin interaction area, where you could stroke and play ball games with the dolphins in the tank. 

They came right up to the edge to give you the ball and stayed there looking at you until you threw it for them to get. I met Sophie there and her friend Jacinda.

There was a Marine Discovery Presentation at 10am which I wanted to watch. As part of that, you got a seal and dolphin ‘kiss’, which was super cute.

The Marine Presentation was amazing. There were two dolphins and a seal called Adelaide that were really well trained and did loads of actions. 

We got taught all about seals and dolphins and each got to feed the seal a squid.

 A really funny moment was when the seal was balancing a fish on its nose and a sea gull swooped down and took it.

The show lasted for around 40 minutes and then it was time for my swim. I was given the option to pay a bit extra and get a short dolphin swim too. I decided to do it as I hadn’t swum with dolphins since I was around 10 when I was in Florida.

I got changed into my wetsuit and then got to swim with ‘Jet’, one of the dolphins in the show. The water was absolutely freezing!

I then swam with my first seal, which was a male called Ozzie. He was absolutely huge! I got to do loads like stroke and hug him, play fetch with a ring and see him swim. I was surprised by how fast they were. It was really cute that he stuck his tongue out for some photos.

The second seal was a female called Ellie who was Ozzie’s mum. She was a lot smaller but similarly playful and kept blowing bubbles in the water. I got to play a few ball games with her where I could throw the ball to her and she would hit it back with her head. She kept swimming up for cuddles and ‘kisses’ which was super cute.

I got the whole swim filmed which I’m so glad I choose to do. It was an amazing experience! After my swim was over I got changed, picked up my photos and returned my wet suit. I went back to the hostel and decided to have a chilled afternoon. I was so tired from getting so little sleep the night before and I didn’t want to do too much as I knew it would be non-stop in New Zealand.

I went to IGA to pick up some lunch and then went to the post office to send my opal ring back to Coober Pedy for repair. I ended up spending the rest of the day at the hostel catching up on wifi and blogging. I spoke to Grahame for a bit and then had to pack up my suitcase ready to fly. I only had a 23kg allowance, so I decided to leave the wine I bought and a few other things I wasn’t allowed on the plane in storage at the hostel. I booked my taxi for 6.45am and then went to bed at around 10ish.