Although I started off driving up to Auckland I was glad that Justin offered to take over because the roads got busier and busier the nearer we got. We hadn't driven on any roads anywhere near this big the whole time, especially on the South Island where we would go ages without even seeing another car. We drove on our first proper motorways too, and the roads were really confusing. It was our last night with the van so we stopped for the night in a campsite as near to the city centre as we could get. It was a nice place and we spent the night there. It was so sad that it was our last night in the van as we didn't want to give it back! In the morning we had to get up and pack away the bed, tidy up and pack all our things away. After that was all done and the van was spottless again we had to take it back. It was time and there wasn't anything we could do about it! Anyway, we eventually made it into the main city and drove to the hostel we had booked for the next two night first so we could leave our backpacks there. Then we drove to the depot, which ended up being miles away and right back by the airport. We even had to stop for petrol twice to make sure it had the same amount as when we got it. Taking it back was quite simple and quick though, and luckily they didn't notice any marks where Justin had reversed into things. I stress Justin, not me! We got a taxi back into the city centre and killed some time by getting lunch and walking around the Auckland Domain before we could check in later that afternoon. We just spent the rest of the day doing jobs like packing and going on the internet.

When we got up the next morning we realised it was our last full day in New Zealand and weren't happy about it, but I must admit I was looking forward to getting back in the sun again. We had breakfast at the hostel and then went to explore some more of Auckland. We went to the shops and the Victoria Markets and had some lunch before going up the Skytower. It is one of the most popular Auckland attractions and it was actually really good. We even managed to get a good discount as we were backpackers, depsite not having any proof. The lift up to the top had a glass bottom and side so we could see how high we were going, and once we were up there there were some great views of the city. There were even glass bits in the floor so you could see right to the ground, which seemed to freak quite a lot of people out! We spent a bit of time there on the main deck and also on the sky deck which was even higher. It was good fun. That night we went out for a meal to celebrate our last night there, and it was much better than pasta...again! We enjoyed the dinner and had a drink, then went up to the cinema which was all in the same complex. We saw the film Hancock then went back to the hostel for our last nights sleep in New Zealand. The next day we were off to Fiji and our trip was getting even closer to finishing!