We are in New Zealand whooooooooo!

Tuesday 13th July - Got picked up from Gilligans,our hostel at 3.00am and made our way to the airport for our flight at 5.30. We arrived in Auckland at 4.00pm ish after changing flights in Brisbane. The flights ran pretty smoothly apart from queuing at the wrong check in desk and then trying to get on the wrong plane by waiting at the wrong gate! We got the bus from the airport to the hostel and checked in. It was pretty cold but at least it was sunny. We went for a walk around to try and find a supermarket and bought a couple of scalves on our travels to keep us warm. Made tea and had an early night seeing as we had missed a nights sleep while on the plane and also hadn't really slept in Cairns because of all the late nights!

Wednesday 14th July - Got up at 9am to catch a free bus around the city at 10.20. We were at the bus stop at 10.20 then waited for half an hour and it still hadn't turned up! Went to find out if it was coming and apparently we had missed it! So we decided to walk around the city ourselves. We stopped of first at the skytower. We decided, as we got backpacker discount we would go up to the top. The views of the city were amazing. There was a glass floor which you could stand on and look down, was v scary!! From that level you could see people right outside the window bungy jumping from the v top of the tower. We walked to the victoria markets, which were v random. Rach bought a hat to keep her little head warm and hayley bought a hand luggage bag as hers was about to die. We walked around the harbour and had some lunch sat on the steps there. We then went to an ice bar called -5 degree. We had to wear massive coats and gloves and Rach had to wear silly boots. It was freezing! Everything was made of ice in the bar, the sculptures, the seats, the bar and the drink glasses. It was really cool hahahahaha! We then walked to Parnell village, which was a cute little area of Auckland with little cafes and boutique shops. We walked up to the museum then headed back to the hostel for some tea! We packed and showered and headed down to the bar as we were missing alcohol!

Thursday 15th July - An early bus at 7.10am. Our first kiwi experience bus whoop whoop! Took about 4 hours to get to Pahia in the Bay of Islands, passing lots of beautiful scenery on the way. We checked in and decided to go the beach to read our books however didn't last very long as it was freezing! Its a v chilled out place here, a nice place to relax. We just chilled out that night and had an early night.

Friday 16th July - 6.00am wake up for the bus to Cape Reinga which is the most northly point of New Zealand. Typically we chose the best day and it was pissing it down! Our driver was called Barry and was calling every girl Bab. We made our way to Puketi Kauri forest where it was still raining. But making the most of it we set off on our little hike to a Kauri tree which we had to hug. Apparently this transfers its nutrients to you so that you feel revitalised. We then went to a shop which sold Kauri furniture which had a staircase made out of the hollow of a tree. Passed through a town called Kaitaia, 'the winterless North'. Then onto Pariengarenga Harbour a place of 'the white cloud'. We then finally arrived at Cape Reinga at lunch time. The name means 'the departing place of the Maori spirit'. Its where the Tasman sea meets the Pacific Ocean. You can see where the green Tasman Sea meets the blue Pacific Ocean and it creates a whirlpool effect. The bus driver told us that when New Zealand people lose loved ones they come here to say their last goodbyes. There were no shops or anything in this area, just a post box. It is the only place in the world that still hand franks the stamps. Apparently recievers of cards from this post box will brought good luck. We walked to the lighthouse and up tot he sacred spot. We got back on the bus and headed to Te Paki which is a giant sand dune and quick sand stream. We climbed to the top with our sandboards (which was a massive effort) and screamed all the way down! We thought the dune in Rainbow Beach were high but they were nothing compared to these. We then drove to the 90 mile beach, stopped for a few photos then drove all the way down the beach. We stopped for fish and chips on the way home which we ate on the coach. Got back to the hostel about 6, a very busy but really good day :)

Saturday 17th July - Had a massive lie in this morning. Our new roomies came in about 12ish and we were still in our pjs reading in bed lol! We attempted to go for a walk in the afternoon but were unsuccessful. The first walk had a board across the path saying it was under construction and the next walk was overgrown and we couldn't get down the path. We came back to the hostel and watched a film in the bar. Tht evening we watched a big rugby match in the bar, the New Zealand All Blacks vs South Africa. They did the Maori dance and everything. The All Blacks won!

Today we are heading back to Auckland then tomorrow going to Mercury Bay! Looking forward to our New Zealand adventure!
xxxxxx