Thursday 23rd May

The night was a little eventful with the other 2 coming in late, with Sarah losing her key and knocking for about 20mins on the door (I would have let her in, but in my head I thought 2 people had already come back so I thought it was a joker. Once my alarm went off and I snoozed for a bit I got up dressed and showered, it was so easy having everything packed and sorted the night before.
Once I checked the room, I went downstairs, checked out and had my breakfast (1 crumpets, 2 kiwis and a cuppa). By the time I was finished it was perfect timing for people starting to get on the bus. We had a lovely little bus again and it was almost full. I managed to get some seats near the front. I was glad when Sarah sat behind and not next to me as she stank of booze and was still drunk.
Just after 6.30am the bus got moving and we had a few pickups from around the city. At 7am we started to make our way up north. I had managed to get 2 sets to myself which was amazing so I could sit at an angle and not try too squished. The first part of the drive I simply slept as the day was breaking. Around 9am we stopped off at Bulls for a tea break. Most people picked up some food but I just grabbed a cup of tea and it wasn't too long before we were back on the bus. I started on my snacks, some nuts and apricots. The next section I watched the countryside fly past, the day weather wise was on-off showers. I watched as the hills rolled past us. I also slept for a while before we reached the National Park at midday where we had our lunch stop. Again I just had another cup of tea whilst we waited for 30mins. Once we were back on the bus I ate my sushi and a fruit bar. The afternoons bus ride I simply slept, watched the country go past and eat TimTams (I ate the whole packet). We made one stop in the afternoon just for people to quickly stretch their legs.
We arrived in Auckland just after 5pm after being held up in a little traffic. We started doing the hostel stops and we were the second hostel. I decided to stay at Base, as I knew how they worked and that they were pretty central to the city. Pinky dropped us off again and I said bye after collecting my bags. Once I (and Sarah) had checked in and found our rooms I went to collect my bag from the other hostel.
After paying the $10 (which was agreed) I headed back to Base, once back I brought my bus ticket to the airport so I was sorted for the next day. Sarah and I headed to the supermarket to pick up a few supplies. I grabbed some cereal bar, sweets, fruits and nuts for South America and the flight. Once our shopping was done we looked around a souvenir shop as we both needed gifts still. Sarah brought a few things but I looked and I'd get things tomorrow. My initial plan for the next day was up visit the museum, but as it didn't open until 10am and I was getting a bus around 12noon there wouldn't be time, so I's get my last gifts then. On the way back to the hostel I gave Sarah my bag and headed to the Sky Tower where I was getting a bus to Newtown and dinner with Kate. Kate said it was simple the buses ran every 10mins and they to straight past the restaurant. The bus was fine but the windows were covered in a plastic coating so I couldn't see out. I was getting worried that I would miss the stop, so after a couple of stops in the right neighbourhood I jumped off and called Kate (now I ha her New Zealand number) and she pointed me in the right direction. A few minuets of walking Kate passed me so I jumped in and we went to find a parking space, which proved a little tricky. We found somewhere that we thought we could park so jumped out and headed for the restaurant. We had a lovely evening, sharing a starter and pudding with our mains. It was great catching up as a lot had happened in the last month, as I had been around New Zealand and Kate had left one job and started another. We chatted for over 2 hours over dinner. Once we were done Kate dropped me back at my hostel and we said buy. 6 weeks and we would both be back in the UK.
Once back I the hostel I found we had 2 new room mates, 2 lads catching the Kiwi Experience the next morning. One was out on the town and the Scottish one was in bed chatting to Sarah. When I got back I started the mission of packing my bags and sorting things out. I was back with 2 bags and it was depressing how much there was. The Scottish lad kept joking about my stuff and the food I had for the flight and to take with me to South America (mainly fruit bars, sweets and fruit). It took me just over an hour to sort myself out as I wasn't very logical at first, but I kept the system that things I needed were in my main bag and gifts and other things were in the yellow bag. I also used my Stray bag for my boots, jacket and food bag. Once I was organised and chatted to the other 2 (I was very talkative, I think it was he combination of a lovely dinner and company plus the excitement of going to South America). Around 11.30pm I got ready for bed and snuggled down. Once the lights went off the talking soon stopped and I was quickly asleep.