Day 12: 12/1/13 This morning I woke with a sorer throat than the other days and I was all stuffed up. I took some disprin with my breakfast and that helped! We had a lie-in today until 10 o clock so that should have helped me. It was also the first day we weren't travelling on the bus! We walked a little in the national park today. The views were gorgeous- lots and lots of green, tropical looking trees, sandy beaches, blue almost turquoise seas! Lots of photos ...

Day 11: 11/1/13 This morning was a very early start. We had to get a shuttle to the ferry at 6:45 so I was awake since about half five. When I got down to reception some of the people were there who had gone out last night. They didn't get back until 5 in the morning so they decided to just get their stuff and wait up incase they would sleep in! So some very tired and some still drunk heads!! We had to get a shuttle to the ferry then and check in there. The fer...

Day 10: 10/1/13 We were all nice and stiff this morning! My head is all clogged too. I don't know if I'm getting a cold or if it was just really stuffy last night. The bus wasn't leaving until 9 this morning so it wasn't too bad. We passed some interesting things today. First, there was a town that grows a lot of carrots as the volcanic soil is really good for them and they had a big massive statue of a carrot! We also passed through one of the main army bases ...

Day 9: 9/1/13 It was a 7am start this morning which was tough! My alarm went off at 6.10 and I said I'll get up in a second and next thing it was 6.36 and everyone was in a panic! We had only an hour on the bus then so everyone tried to sleep. Today's stop was Tongariro national park. The main activity was doing the Tongariro crossing. I think it's the most popular hike in New Zealand. A lot of people weren't doing it as its a lot of walking but I thought I'd c...

Day 8: 8/1/13 We didn't leave until nine this morning but after a late night out that was very early!! Everyone was very quiet for the 3+ hr bus journey! I tried to sleep an had my eyes closed most of the time but couldn't sleep! The bus drivers put Flight of the Conchords on. I had heard of the programme and how funny it was, but I wasn't feeling it at all!! After lots of windy roads we eventually got to Whakahoro which was a massive farm and ecolodge in the m...