I’ve uploaded some diving pictures from the Poor Knights Islands to my wanderingscotsman picture gallery. If you don’t dive and have been reading my blog, AND you have a broadband connections, check out this video from the Similan Islands on Google Video. You’ll get an idea of what it can be like. I saw most […]

The holiday park in Tutukaka was mobbed last night – I mean there were FOUR campervans in it! After dinner and my bottle of Feijoa wine I had sitting in the fridge (now that I just remembered that, not wonder I was so bad this morning as that was after my post dive pint!) I […]

I got back to the Tutukaka and had another day’s diving during my last full day in New Zealand. As soon as I had it in my head I knew it was the right thing to do and I was eager to get back. There was a new crew on the boat, but again they […]
I left Tutukaka yesterday morning already wondering why I hadn’t just stayed to dive. I knew I wanted to see the North, but I had kindof already decided I wouldn’t head to Cape Reinga as it would be too much driving, and I got fed up of that recently. Immediately I felt like I had […]
Just a quickie as my time on the net is running out and my accommodation in Japan has fallen through…I’m heading back to Tutukaka for another days dive probably as I’ve turned into a ‘tick off tourist’ again and don’t like it. And I’ve always been thinking of diving…. More soon.

I was out diving at Poor Knights again today, and again had a fantastic day. There were a couple of lads from England on the boat so the three of us buddied up and went out on our own – my first time without a guide (although these guys had recently done their divemaster but […]

Today was spiritual, and I’m not religious. I’ve had my unfair share of ‘Shit Hot Dive Sites of the World’ during my year. Similan Islands, Sipadan, Malapascua and others. When in New Zealand I’d be crazy if I didn’t try diving at the Poor Knight Islands. I’m getting pretty skint, but as I said at the […]

I only had one stop on the way to Tutukaka in Northland. My mate in Wellington told me about another marine reserve called Goat Island that had another snorkelling area. This was the first marine reserve in New Zealand, set up in 1977. Apparently in summer, there can be around 3000 visitors here at a […]

Yesterday was a Good Day. I woke up not too early, grabbed a bike from the hostel, and cycled the 2km to the dive shop, Cave Dive. I kitted up, and jumped in the pick up for a lift to the dive boat. 5mm full wetsuits! Jeez, the first time ever, and I ended up […]
I don’t like saying this about many places, but Manila is a shithole. It’s not a bad place as such, there are great things to do, just not a lot of things to see, and the place is a lesson in how not to design a city. Any wannabe urban planner should come here for […]