After enjoying the South Island, the North had a lot to live up to but we had been recommended to spend the majority of our time in the South so we were only left with just over two weeks in the North.We drove straight up to the middle of the Island and drove in to the Tongarairo National Park area on a beautiful sunny day with a clear blue sky.The views of snow capped mountains and the snow capped volcano were outstanding.We settled into one of the cheap and very basic conservation camp sites for the night ready for the famous Tongarairo Crossing walk the next day which was up and around the volcano.We woke up to grey drizzle and very low cloud! It didn't put us off so we wrapped up warm and got our waterproofs on to start the walk.Unfortunately the walk is over three hours one way and the shuttle bus back to where we started was above our budget.We decided to walk half of it and see how we felt but were more than likely to turn back. As we walked closer and higher the cloud subsided slightly which gave us some great views of the dark red rock.We walked across the Southern Crater which looked like parts of the moon, had some lunch and turned back without getting to see the Emerald lakes.Good job we did though as soon after getting back to our vans it started to rain and didn't stop until the next day (actually it did for 15 minutes, just enough time to cook dinner and crawl back into our vans).We spent a day at Lake Taupo where we went for a walk along the river and saw Huka falls.We then went to a little circuit walk called Craters of the Moon which is around lots of craters steaming with smelly Sulpher (rotten eggs).We passed through Rotararo which is well known for its culture shows but am hoping to see one or two in the Cook Islands. We drove up to the Bay of Plenty and luckily the weather had cleared right up to bright blue sky's again.We walked up Mt Maunganui and admired the amazing views over a long strip of white beach, bright blue sea and beautiful bays.The next day was spent relaxing on the beach, in the evening in time with the tides we went to Hot Water beach which was a strange surreal experience especially not knowing exactly what to expect and not going prepared either.We followed the crowd to the corner of the beach and soon realized most people had shovels with them.When we got there, lots of people were digging frantically and making walls of sand around little pools near where the sea was coming in.We stood in a few of the empty pools testing to see if the water really was hot but it wasn't!We observed for a bit longer walking around and then as we paddled in the incoming tide and our feet sank into the sand I nearly burnt my toes off.Every here and there were hot springs of water rising out of the sand which had been heated by boiling hot rock far under the groundThe trick was to find a spot, dig a hole, make walls of sand to keep the hot water in and sit back and relax.It was really nice to watch as lots of people many of whom didn't know each other helped dig a hole together and shared the little hot pool.We drove to Waihi Beach still in the Bay of Plenty and then on to cathedral cove, the weather was slowly deteriorating again though.We finally made it to Auckland and were treated by some friends and family of Emily's. On the Saturday we were taken out in a boat around the harbor and had an amazing BBQ that evening.The next day was spent at her cousins and yet another gorgeous BBQ and the weather was great all weekend.We drove up to the Bay of Islands but unfortunately were restricted to the sights, walks and swimming with dolphins due to bad weather again, very unpredictable and changeable.We did spend time saying goodbye to our lovely camper vans though. We are leaving New Zealand tomorrow morning for the Cook Islands.I am not looking forward to the flight after the last one into New Zealand.Some people have found it strange that I am scared yet I went up in a plane and jumped out of it.My answer to that would be that I had a parachute and not a life jacket which is what I will be provided with tomorrow.I am looking forward to Xmas on a beach but will be thinking of everyone at home, I can't wait to see everybody very soon.Happy Christmas to everyone who reads this. xx