Ahhh it's been a good day today! We've started on our Magic Bus journey through NZ and we've crammed loads into the day, totally stress-free - winner!

We had a 7.55am pick up this morning from Auckland by our chirpy 20 year old driver (!) Nate, who sounds like he's from New Zealand by way of California. saying "sweet!" after everything. He's a little sweetheart though! Our first port of call was at the Coromandel Peninsula, where we stopped to admire the awesome clifftop views in the balmy sunshine (yippee!). Then we headed down to Hot Water Beach where the water beneath the sand is about 60 degrees centigrade due to geothermal volcanic activity (or something). We got a spade and dug ourselves a hole, tipped some sea water in to cool it all down a bit and then luxuriated in our own personal spa! It was ace! And the closest I've come to having a bath since I've been away, bar the onsen in Japan.

After that we hopped back on the bus and drove to Cathedral Cove and did a little walk there. It's in Mercury Bay and consists of a huge white rock with an archway eroded into the middle, surrounded by a gorgeous beach. It really was beautiful, in fact the whole Coromandel Peninsula seems lovely. And it's a public holiday today so it was full of holidaymakers.

Once we'd done there we came to Whitianga where we're staying for the night, at our hostel on the seafront. We've been out for bargainous $6 pasta and beers/cider with some of our group and are probably going to try to get to bed soon, in preparation for another horrendously early start tomorrow.

Love you all loads x x x