I bought an additional ticket to visit the east of the north island as had heard loads of people loving the trip and it was the best decision!

Our first stop was in Te Kaha at The O'Briens' family home (as all the english came over here and stole all the women - most Maoris have english/irish/scot surnames - bizarre). The pic for this blog is the garden overlooking the sea and just down the steps where the dog's sitting there's a hot tub which was much appreciated! We all sat in the hot tub for a loooong time and just watched the sun set (even though we're on the east, this place is set out on a point facing the west), had a sing song with a guitar and went to bed. Was a really nice place and a lot of people stay for a few days but there's wasn't much to do apart from sit in the hot tub so most of us left the next morning toi head to the farmstay in Rangitukia...