Back in Auckland after a couple of weeks dashing around both islands we had a couple of days kipping at Debs & Phil's place like the lazy sods we are.

We then had a day trip out to Mount Maunganui in the car with Debs passing through Paeroa on the way (where L&P soft drink is made that is "World Famous in New Zealand" apprently), along with gold mines and gorges on the way.

Borrowed Phil's Honda ST1300 for a day's biking around the Coromandel Penisula. We were lucky with the slightly fickle Kiwi weather on both of these days out, in fact on the bike we had to be extra careful because the tarmac on the road was melting!

Then left for a long weekend's tour of Northland (i.e. North of Auckland). First stop was at the Kauri Museum dedicated to the huge Kauri trees that have mostly been logged to death. It was actually very interesting and we then went to see Tane Mahuta - the biggest Kauri tree still standing. Photos don't do it justice - fat and straight (perfect for building ships etc) and a bit of a b***** they take 1000 years to grow back to the same size.

Stayed a couple of nights in Piahia and did the Hole In The Rock jet boat tour (not quite fast enough!), went to where the treaty of Waitangi was signed with Moaris before going across to Russell (formerley known as the "hell-hole of the pacific" and New Zealand's first capital). Sadly all the brothels and sleazy pubs have closed since the 16th century and its now a bit quaint. Stopped off at Kawakawa and Whangarei on the way back to Auckland.

We delayed our departure so we could celebrate Phil's birthday in downtown Auckland and then jumped on an early morning flight to Singapore - South East Asia here we come!