We left Rotorua early morning and set off for Taupo. Stopping on the way at the Blue and Green lakes which are next to each other and are complete opposites in colour, as the name suggests. It was a relatively easy drive, compared to what we've been used to, and it only took an hour. We stopped off just outside of Taupo to have lunch (a packed lunch - aren't we good) and also to see the waterfall - Huka falls, which you can see from the pictures. It was really pretty and well worth the brief stop, the water was an amazing colour. As we got closer to Taupo we met traffic, our first traffic jam in NZ. We had to queue for about 30 mins as the NZ ironman competition was happening through the centre of the town. After getting our bearings and watching some of the event we headed to our hostel - Rainbow Lodge. What can we say except for Oh My God, it should be called The Fitness Lodge!! It was run by 4 guys all from different areas of the UK, they were all really nice, very friendly and not too bad to look at!!! The hostel itself was really well set out and clean which was really good. All the other people staying there were friendly too which was a first! We also had our own room which was very much appreciated after a 5 bed dorm in Rotorua.

We had such a relaxing time at Taupo, looking at the lake, strolling around the centre and hitting the shops (only a little bit - promise!!). We also got round to watching Dreamgirls, which was amazing and everyone should go watch it. It was quite humourous as the reel became mixed-up so that the middle 2 sections were the wrong way round - oopps!!

sorry nothing too exciting to write but it's been a good relaxing two days and we met James - the FIREMAN from liverpool who now writes comedy ...................... OH...MY...GOD....FIT!!!!!

P.S. - we have a murderer in our group - another bird has gone to heaven because of us (FI)! When we were driving back from the beach in Rotorua one hit the car window, Fi is therefore now traumatised and thinks she needs therapy and thus requires a money deposit from her parents to pay for said therapy. Lau adds if you just put it in my account i can help her from here - i've got a degree you know!! Just kidding hope all is good with you all xxxxxxxx