Was so happy to move on from Auckland and head up to Paihia in the Bay of Islands. And thankfully as we headed further north the weather finally managed to improve! Was weird cause we didnt have a coach this time, instead we had a very full minibus! This did mean that my always fallling asleep was a bit of a problem as i was in the outside seat! However it was ok and I made it all the way there without falling asleep but that was only cause i was chattng to me new mate Mike. However i did feel really proud of myself! It was also our bus drivers 1st day by herself and it was quite funny when she was tryin to reverse out of a carpark with the trailer attached, took her rather a lot of attempts lol! We also saw some pink sheep, it must have been a pretty evil person to paint them that colour, but I loved it!

Anyway we got there safely and even got to see Paihia from a high up vantage point, it looked gorgous! After checking into my hostel I had to pretty much run back down to the ferry terminal, which is tiny, to catch my cruise boat. My cruise was around the Bay of Islands. In this bay there are 144 seperate islands and to be classed as an island it has to be above the high tide mark and support some sort of vegetation. We first went over to Russell which is infact not an island but its just easier to get there by boat. Then we headed off past numerous different islands. We even managed to find some dolphins which was great as I got some amazing photos and videos of them. At least it makes up for not getting any pictures on my dolphin swim, even tho they were common and bottle nose dolphins rather than the dusky ones i swam with! So our cruise went up past Cape Brett and its lighhouse and then over to the Hole in the Rock. Its looked pretty rough through the middle so i didnt think they would take the boat through it, however they did and it was totally amazing and we got though in one piece! I met a lovely American couple on the boat and chatted to them throughout the cruise, which made it more enjoyable! I have ended up with a lump and a bruise on the side of my knee cause i guy fell into me when the boat rocked and knocked my knee. Its so sore and its gonna bruise something terrible!

I was hoping when I got back to Paihia I'd have enough time to walk to the Haruru Falls but unfortunately it takes about 2 hours to get there so it would hav been dark by the time i was heading back and decided it would not be the best idea. So i just headed back to my hostel. I'm staying at the Base and it seems really nice. My room has 8 beds and our own bathroom. It also looks out over the courtyard which is nice. There is a swimming pool and sauna but i havnt used them yet. Met one of my room mates, A who is Irish and totally lovely! She even talks as much as me lol! Ended up having a few drinks with her and an English guy, cant remember his name tho. I was only gonna hav 2 and go to bed early cause i had to b up early the next morning but i ended up having a 3rd which i shouldnt hav! Did eventually make it to bed at about 11.30.