I almost didn't make it to Auckland as a result of heavy snow clouds over Queenstown but for some reason, the clouds decided to part and show off some blue sky as it was time for my departure!

And so, leaving the South Island behind me, I arrived safely in the North Island in Auckland; New Zealand's largest city but the equivalent of a small UK town. First impressions were not too overwhelming which is a shame because, unfortunately, due to necessary time wasting, I am stuck here for five nights before beginning a circuit of the North Island courtesy of the one and only Magic Bus. And to top it off I am staying in the worst hostel EVER.

So, after a painful five nights stay with not a lot to do except while the time away by playing 4-5 hours per day of Uno and Rummikub, I reluctantly boarded the Magic Bus and headed for Rotorua.

On the way the bus pulled in for a three hour stop at Waitomo. This meant that I had plenty of time to visit the caves - home of the Glow-worms. The cave was stunning as were some of it's features - stalactites and stalagmites and the Cathedral (reknowed for it's acoustics; the Beatles have even played there apparantly). After touring and talking I boarded a boat and was taken along the Waitomo river, which runs underground and through the caves, and I saw the most amazing things shining from the ceiling above - million of glow-worms. It was truly like looking up at a clear starry night sky. This was a definite highlight of the North Island for me and I hate that no photos were allowed to be taken - rubbish!

I arrived in Rotorua and was greeted by the strong smell of rotten eggs - it's an active thermal region and the smell is associated with hydorgen sulphide. It rained nearly the whole time I was visiting so I am extremely thankful for the clean hostel with a television. However, at 4pm the rain eventually stopped and so, taking advantage, I headed to Kuirau park. I was amzed to see smok rising from the ground and although the smell did get stronger, I did go a little closer to investigate; bubbling ponds and mud and I even touched one of the pools - it was really warm, I didn't quite believe it before.

After Rotorua it was on towards Taupo. En route the bus stopped at New Zealand's biggest mud pool. It was like a huge bowl of thick, hot, melted chocolate. The bubbling was great to watch but all I wanted to do was to dip a huge marshmallow in! The bus also stopped at Wai-o-tapu thermal park. Altough it was a little overpriced, the park was very interesting - there was smoke, the smell of eggs and some fantastic colours in the waters; neon greens and yellows, some red too - the colours are all natural and are actually due to the different mineral elements.

After Taupo, the next stop is the Capital City - Wellington.