See photo album from Oceania HERE  AUSTRALIA: Sydney: (1994) What to do: An excursion to the Blue Mountains is well worth it. It's beautiful up there! I can also recommend the best second hand book store in the world in Newport beach!!!  ----------  FIJI:    (1994)                                Fiji is paradise! The people are the friendliest on this planet and will always give a big smile accompanied by the greeting "Bula".   Nadi: Where to stay: The Horizon is OK at US$ 3,50 but not conveniently located. Nadi Bay Motel and New Sunny Holiday Motel on the main road were both better and in the same price range. White House close to town was really nice but slightly more expensive. Getting there and away: There are buses going north and south east. Suva: Where to stay: South Seas is nice with common kitchen and dorm rooms at ca US$ 5,-. Nananu-i-Ra: Where to stay: Kon Tiki is a small paradise away from everything. What to do: Every night is kava-night at Kon-Tiki. You can hire free snorkeling gear and fishing lines plus hooks and the coral fish are in abundance. You can make your own food in the cabins but then you should bring with you some goods as it's limited and very expensive at Kon Tiki's mini shop. There's volley ball every day around 1600. The sunsets are spectacular and you can go on boat trips around the islands. There's a secluded unspoiled beach on the other side of the island - pure paradise. Getting there and away: Call Kon Tiki (you'll find their ads on the airport in Nadi) and they'll arrange transport all the way or pick you up with boat from Rakiraki (it's much more fun to take the local bus here - and much cheaper of course). --------- NEW ZEALAND: (1994)                 Auckland: Where to stay: The best place to stay is the incredible backpackers haven Auckland Central Backpackers at US$ 5 for a dorm bed . This is an old hotel that now houses hundreds of backpackers, info office with tour operators and booking office, pub with pool tables, kitchens, movie theater, ... you name it! What to do: The harbor is a pleasant place to hang out. Auckland is mainly a stopover and the place to find out where to go and how... Getting there and away: Buses are reasonably priced and fast. You can also join tour groups who'll "take you there" but then you're stuck with a party bunch whether you like it or not. Bay of islands: Where to stay: In Paihia the Lodge Eleven (US$ 6) has the friendliest owners and it's a really nice and pleasant place. Highly recommended. What to do: There are nice treks just out of town for pleasant walks. Big thing is a boat trip, though, with a chance to swim with dolphins . You'll see the dolphins for sure, but don't be too disappointed if you won't be able to swim with them as this requires the dolphins to stay in one area for some time, something wild animals not always do.... Taupo: Where to stay: Burke's is a very friendly and pleasant place at around US$ 7,- depending on length of stay. The breakfast is great and the atmosphere really good. What to do: A walk to the Huka Falls along the Waikato river is a fabulous trek and the falls really special. On the way there you'll also pass the Taupo Bungy (ca 45 meters high) which is beautifully situated in a small bay of the river. The big Lake Taupo is also beautiful and there's supposedly great trout fishing here. You will have a good view (on a clear day) of the volcanoes Mt. Ngauruhoe, Mt Ruapehu and Mt Tongariro.