Arrived in Auckland in the evening for our final stop before we spread our wings and go our separate ways. A quick pit stop at the hostel and it was off for a bite and watch Indiana Jones. More than a little disappointed we headed back to the hostel. Matt, Andy and Chris popped into the hostel bar for a couple of wine gums with the couple from Byron Bay and after a great little evening we retired. Tomorrow would be our last day as a six! Up at a reasonable time....

24th May 2008. After an early start we pulled in to the Bay of Islands and a little bit of sunshine. It was a nice little sea side town and first thing first was to book a couple more trips up! Dolphin watching and fishing were on the menu. Checked into our hostel, (surprise surprise again base!) and set off for our first trip. As Matt gets sick on a pedalo he decided to sit this one out as did Jack. Set off in slightly blustery conditions for a look at the Islan...

Friday 23rd May we rolled back into some city lights and Auckland. A brief pit stop here which saw us meet up with a couple (Tom and Hannah) we had met in Byron Bay. Didn't get to the city until late afternoon so it's was pretty much dinner and a cheeky night out on the tiles for a catch up. Great to hear what they had been up to and like a few others from the Byron crowd we wish we'd had been able to do NZ all together (although we're not sure how much more ins...

Wednesday 21 May 2008 and we had a short bus ride up to Rotorua. Arrived for our first proper taste of the Maori culture where Jack and Chris managed to win a cheeky little prize for their vast knowledge. Left there and got ourself checked into Base Hot Rocks! First thing we did notice about Rotorua was the smell. The place constantly smelt of sulphur. Not the nicest. After our 256th Subway of the tour we got ourselves prepped for a bit of white water rafting. Af...

Early start on Saturday 17th to head off to Taupo. Chucked our stuff onto the Kiwi bus , reclined the seat and got settled in for our journey North. 2 minutes later we were back off the bus dragging our bags out having just narrowly missed being returned to the South Island. Close call! Finally found the right bus and hopped on. The bus ride was a long one with our first highlight stopping off to get our first glimpses of the Tongarriro National Park (where Mount...