23rd March

Out and on the road sharp again. Stopped at a Geothermal park to see some geisers, mud pools and hot springs. Cooked up an egg in a hot pool and scranned it, as you do, casual. The geisers were really quite phenomenal to see. Pretty powerful little numbers, got a bit wet. Wasn't too far a drive to Taupo, when we arrived, got checked in and what not then went for a wee wander around the town. Lake Taupo is a big one. Apparently you can fit Sigapore in it, so there you go. Had a wee explore but I wasn't feeling that fruity so had to head for a nap. Awoke in the late afternoon and a team were heading to seek out some natural hot pools. Jumped on that bandwaggon and located them, about a half hour walk away. It's ridiculous that these naturally exist, it was roasting. Had a bathe, entirely pleasant even though in parts it was dangerously hot. We were supposed to be doing the Tongariro Crossing which is an organised day hike up and around Mt. Doom (from Lord of the Rings) but due to "adverse weather conditions" (aka...a little bit of wind) it was cancelled for the following morning. We were really gutted to hear this as it's apparently epic. Its one of the top hikes to do in the world and THE must do of New Zealand and I had been really looking forward to it. Rubbish. We were going to extend our stay to see if we could catch it another day but it was cancelled for the coming days too so, no hope. Everyone was a bit bummed out by the news. We would have been leaving at 5.30am for the walk, but since that wasn't to be, we decided to make a night of it and drink away our sorrows. We had a free BBQ in the bar downstairs and 241 on beer. Ideal. Returned to our hostel for drinking games a plenty before heading to a bar across the road which had a live band playing. It was a great night. I believe the music was awesome and the chat was entertaining and I KNOW there was tequila.

24th March

Not alot to say on this here day guys. Pretty sure you can deduce why. Feeling rough as. Walked with Rhona to the lakeside with a picnic and spent the whole day laying there and playing cards. Everyone else was hitting the tiles again but I was such a wounded soldier I had to bail. Quiet one (but not really since everyone else in the room was in and out all the time, wasted).

Hope you guys are all well up there!!

Kate xxx