Saturday - We left the 'Bay of Islands' today and headed back to 'Auckland'. On the 4h drive we passed the "Wharengi Falls", which were georgeous!!, and took the costal route back. We got to 'Auckland' and checked into "City Groove" (v. basic hostel, $18, close to town and home to cats). We left Fiona there to chill out and went to drop the car back to "Quality Car Rental", the depo was all the way out at the airport so we had a lengthy bus journey back. All was well and we got the deposit back! Once back in the centre of 'Auckland' we picked up Fiona and headed in search of food. We decided on the foodcourt and all had Thai. The 'Auckland Film Festival" is on at the moment and so we went to see "Mysterious Skin" - a really well done film, it was about child abuse and the lives of those coping with what happened to them. After the film we walked home and got a great view of the city at night. Sunday - Up at 10am to pay for another night at "City Groove" and then headed into town to purchase a few t-shirts for USA and my Lonely Planet Guide. Then Neeley and I met Fiona and we took the "274" bus to "Mount Eden". We were dropped off at the bottom of the hill and had to walk all the way up, but it was worth it once you saw the view. It was a 360 degree view of 'Auckland'. But not only that, "Mount Eden" is also a crater as "Eden" used to be an active volcano! It was so interesting to see it, the crater was huge! After wandering along the edge of the crater we headed back into town on the bus and went to "Albert Park". It is really nice and is situated next to the very ornate "Clocktower" at the University. We also managed to catch sunset over the Skytower. Tonght we are going to make the most of the film festival and see another film! We saw "Election" which was very good and right up my street - it was about the triads in Hong Kong and the way of life for the members of that gang and also how they fit into Hong Kong society. Monday - Today we moved from "City Groove" to "Auckland Central Backpackers" right in the centre of the city. It is quite a nice hostel with lots of facilities and good dorm rooms ($22). Then we did a few jobs in the city and after a while went back to the hostel as Neeley was not feeling at her best. Fiona and I took the opportunity to do some laundry! Then in the evening we pooped out to get some dinner before having a quiet night in. Tuesday - Fiona left today to go to OZ. It was great to meet her and we three had a really top time travelling in the North Island! Neeley and I decided to go on the FREE Kiwi Experience tour of 'Auckland' (what a lucky break!). We met Jimmy our guide, who was very friendly and happy, and he told us that we would see the city in 5h and get a free lunch (soup) - not bad eah?! So we set off and our first stop was Baton Point, a "Maori" stronghold, where we could see the "Marae" and also learn some of the history oif the "Maori" in 'Auckland'. Then after that we headed to the "Waitakere Ranges", a very picturesque area of National Park, and had a walk among the natural flora and fauna of New Zealand. Next up was our free lunch at a traditional pub, very tasty and did I mention FREE! Then the last place we visited was "Devonport" on the "North Shore", on the way we took the back road and ended up at "North Head". When we reached the top it provided superb views over the whole of 'Auckland'. The area used to be a military base up until 1995 and so had lots of dark secret tunnels that we could wander around in - very exciting! And that was the end of the free day, but it finishd well as we had to cross over the impressive Harbour Bridge to get back into the city. In the evening Neeley and I chilled out, and I also finished packing. Wednesday - Today I fly from 'Auckland' to 'San Francisco' in the USA!! I leave at 4pm and get to the USA at 12pm the same day!!