Well there was a bit of an event leaving Wellington as we'd been out very late the night before and I slept in. When I got down to reception I'd forgotten my pillow case so couldn't check out and had to go back to the room. On my return the bus had left for the ferry! It was still only 6.45am so plenty time for the 5 min taxi ride there but one of the girls thought she was being very useful putting my bags on the bus. Not a problem for the food and inconvenient f...

So... left Auckland on my bus journey on Saturday morning. After fially picking everyone up we had a quick stop at the top of Mount Eden to get views of the city and then set off to the Cormorandel Peninsula to Hahai where we were staying for the night. We wee on a campsite but in our own hostel and it had a stunning beach. Having been super careful so far not to be burned I let myself sit out in the sun twice for half an hour each time, with sunscreen - and I go...

Arrived in New Zealand and after extensive time going through customs (nearly worse than the US) and declaring my shell bracelet that I made which I was miraculously allowed to keep I made it out the airport! Decided now is the time to start being a proper backpacker so got the shuttle bus as opposed to a taxi. Just as well as it took forever to get into Auckland, every set of traffic lights seemed to be out. Hostel is very different to what I've been in before...