Driving east through the towns of Hamilton and Cambridge we suddenly found ourselves in the Shire. We decided to skip the Hobbiton film set contenting ourselves that the rolling green hills passing by us did indeed look like the film. Driving up through the hills of Kaimai Mamaaku Forest Park we got fabulous views looking south down the North Island.

Arriving in the Mount the town was getting ready to shut down the roads for New Years celebrations. Seeing all the rude boys in their full body kit saloons and mullet on every street corner, we were worried for Bruce's safety. After checking into the hostel full of Chileans we had a walk through town to try and find a decent place to see in the New Year. We ended up on the beach where a national radio station had set up a stage and bar, the only place you could legally drink on the beach. Figuring it would be something different we bought our wrist bands and had an afternoon beer in the sun. Five minutes later we were approached by a couple of Brazilians who thought we were fellow countrymen. We had the look and the swagger apparently. We miss Brazil!

Back to the hostel for a few cheeky vodkas to keep it cheap before heading back to our VIP area on the beach to begin the days festivities. From there we watched our last sunset of 2007 whilst listening to live music enjoying a few drinks and chatting to randoms. The evening passed quickly and with only an hour until midnight we hit the dancefloor, it was then that we saw the thousands of people who had gathered on the beach, quite crazy. We danced our way into 2008 and were treated to a brilliant fireworks display over the bay. The beach bar shut down about one but fortunately there was a massive stage set up further down the beach and we headed down there to dance to DJ's pumping out seriously old school tunes. All quite a giggle and a surprisingly good New Years!

Feeling rather chipper and smug with ourselves that we didn't have the normal New Years hangover, we decided to be ultra healthy and start the year off with a spot of mountain climbing. OK, so it was only 232m high but still! The views from the top of Mount Maunganui in the bright sunshine were lovely. Eager not to miss out on the novelty factor we spent the afternoon on the golden beach and swimming in the crystal waters.