After a tearful farewell to Pembo who I would not be seeing again I jumped onto my "East As" trip. I was really looking forward to it as you get to see the real New Zealand and Maouri culture. A white transit style bus picked me up and I was a little apprehensive as to who would be on the trip and to my surprise only 4 people were on it and that included me! Luckily enough everyone was nice, there were two English guys called John and Rich and a Dutchy called Lianne oh and our driver Eddie.

It soon became apparent that everyone was nuts and here fir a laugh. After tree hugging for luck and a few random statues we arrived at Te Kaha at Homestead Lodge where were were spending opur first night. To be honest nothing could be as homely... the property sat right on the beach with a hot tub overlooking the sea, it really was gorgeous. When we got there the four of us decided to go for a little walk along the beach, all seemed to be going fine and dandy but on our way back to the lodge we realised that we had been slightly cut off by the river. The boys being boys managed to leap over the swollen river but me and my little legs could manage so I had to pull up my jeans and take off my socks and shoes and hope that I didnt fall in.. what a wally. When we got back 3 of us got an alcoholic bevvie and sat in the hot tub watching the sunset, it was rather awesome....backpacking is such a hard life! Once the sun had set it was time for our roast dinner home cooked by the owner....it was really nice but nothing on my mums one! After din dins we had to make up a song for them about the lodge and then sing it to them. Their cute little grandson was there too and I spent about 2 hours playing with Thomas the Tank Engine. Once he had gone to bed I had to join in the singing, it was a laugh but I was so shattered I needed to go to bed by about 12.

The next day started with a visit to a church to repent my sins...was in there for 5 days! ha ha. We made our way to the East Cape Lighthouse, on the way we didnt see much sign on life although there were a shed load of cows on the road that wouldnt moooooove (I am actually going crazy) The views from the lighthouse were fab. After a nice picnic on the beach we made our way to Eastenders backpackers which was a farm stay. I had decided to do the horse trek as everyone I had spoken to raved about it. Still not keen on horses I braved it as was really glad I did. For novice I dont think the ride is the easiest thing in the world as you go up and down hills and canter along the beach. The owner was awesome and he was so patient, I am still rather scared of the nay nays but at least i can manage to stay on one and sort of direct it! The ride was amazing, being on horse back on a beach is something pretty special even if you're wondering how long you can stay on it for! After the horse riding the boys went possum hunting and Lianne and I stayed in and watched loadsa films.

We got up really early and walked to a look out point for the first sunrise the world sees. It was really pretty but freezing cold! We left the hostel pretty early and headed to a long platoon thingy which was gorgeous then we went to the "Whalerider" film set....I hadnt even heard of the folm but apparently it was pretty big. Eddie told us that loads of tourists flocked to the little town and actually thought it was just a set and that people didnt live there. People were randomly walking into peoples houses and everything! The little town was beautiful and the beach was amazing. We visited some maouri buildings and had a little wander around. After tha it was off to Gisborne, surf capital of NZ, I was hoping to pick myself up a nice surfer dude but no such luck. We went stingray feeding in the afternoon which involved us dressing up in waders and looking so sexy I could barely contain myself! Unfortunately for only the 2nd time this year they didnt come to us which was so dissappointing but s*** happens. To liven up our day we decided hit Gisborbe town that evening..what a joke! ha ha. We went to a couple of bars which was pretty empty and then went to a "club" Lianne and I spent the whole night dancing in the middle of the dancefloor on our own...it was so funny cos the barman gave us glow sticks....one thinks that maybe he was taking the piss....

On the last morning I had breakfast overlooking the beach, i really dont know what reality is these days but if that was reality then life would be amazing. The boys had gone surfing so when they were back we started our long trip back to Rotorua. When I arrived back in Rotorua I met a couple of lads that I had met in Taupo. Ferg, Dave and Matthew. They were getting the bus the next day to Auckland too which was cool....turns out they are in Fiji the same time as me too!

Over all the trip was awesome, had such a good time considering the amount of people that was on it!