Am up in the Bay of Islands for my last day in new zealand! cant believe i head to australia tomorrow already!!! I am staying at the saltwater lodge and its a 5 star backpackers. Really good facilities and has a cool urban feel about it. really cheap too at $23. think its the most expensive placei ave stayedin yet though. Spent today ona cruise that took me round the bay of islands and to the big hole on the rock (famous rock) and other wee bits and places. Got to land on a deserted island and sit on the beach and snorkell and i got too see and swim wiht dolphins!! they wree amazing! kept trying toget photos and they are under again before you can snap! they were beautiful creatures though! saw baby ones too although we could swim with them! the water was suprisnigly warm too! didnt get to touch them but you could swim along wiht them if you could keep up and were willing to dive under. i def dived under water! i dont mind! alot of people just floated on top though! it was well worth it! weather was warm today but it hasnt been the suniest! was still a great day though! was a bit of a ruch as i booked ot at 920am this morning and the boat was leaving at 930am! had to run like the wind! The bay of islands are really pretty but i actually think the wee islands and areas on the west coast of scotland are prettier still! it reminded me of the sound of luing!