The bus journey from Auckland to Paihia took 3 /4 hours but it was worth it as we were staying there for 3 nights. Paihia is almost right at the top of the north island and is gorgeous. We stayed at such a nice hostel called Salty Lodge and I would recommend it to anyone. The weather over the 4 days, 3 nights was a bit hit and piss (that was a typo but found it amusing) and on our first day walking back from the supermarket were got drenched...i mean wet knickers...

Upon my arrival into my hostel in Auckland I was met by Laura and a huge hug which was nice! We had a good night out and went to Minus 5, the ice bar with a couple of Lauras friends from Australia, we had such a laugh and people were a tad tipsy. Minus 5 was so cool (here I go again with the puns) we had to put on eskimo styley gear and fluffy boots...it was so awesome! We were drinking our drinks from cups made of ice...if thats not the most exciting thing in th...

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 ...

Upon my arrival into rainy Rotorua, I was greeted with the stench of rotten eggs...mmmmm yummy I thought. This place is home to Geothermal Spa's which contain the discusting smelling sulphur...hence the eggy smell. We got to (what i will describe) as the most repulsive hostel in the whole of New Zealand, Hot Rocks Base. It looked like a delapidated secondary school and the bedrooms we minging and the kitchen was infested with cockroaches and Pembo got bitten by b...

Taupo is the adventure capital of the North Island but nothing in comparison with South Islands Queenstown. We arrived in Taupo and the rain was ridiculous, ah well. We were staying at a nice backpackers called Urban Retreat. It was really small and really personal. The owners were so lovely and you really felt looked after and that they actually cared about you... that doesnt really happen too often. Our room was possibly the smallest room I have ever seen. It s...