Wow apologies for the lack of journal entries, it has been a while and due to lack of funds I'm not as free and easy with the internet as I once was, sigh, lol :-)

23rd Dec- Arrived in Auckland (first time around). We had to break up the journey up to the Bay of Islands with a stopover. Unfortunately this 'quick stopover' in Auckland turned into my worst hangover for the entire trip!!! I'm so weak. Umm we randomly bumped into my friend from home, Brendan in reception of our hostel, who is here training to be a pilot. He and his friends had come up from Hamilton for a night out. I think that was the main problem lol.

Hung around during the day, had a look around, and then met up with the pilots-to-be for a 'few drinks'. briony wisely decided to go to bed at about 11pm, after Brendan and I started on the Jagar- bombs. Sarah braved a night out with us, but managed to stay relatively sober until 3am, thank god as she ended up having to drive 237 km the next day (with regular breaks for me to gag out of the car window!) Went to a few bars and clubs on the waterfront, which was really nice (I think) had a good dance and chat. It was a really good night in all, well what i remember anyway!

Next day we had to drive to Paihia in the Bay of Islands for xmas eve. It was so beautiful, another really nice hostel (as most are in NZ) right next to the beach. I managed to pick up my xmas present (thanks again mum) and drove my hangover into submission with a big xmas eve dinner. Apparently most eurpoeans celebrate on xmas eve, which was fine with us. We had a (crazy) Swiss room mate called Daniel, who snored. A lot. But apart from that, a good night.

Didn't do too much on xmas, apart from watching a ridiculous amount of very un-christmassy films, including Wild Things, the Full Monty and Bridget Jones, and ate a full english breakfast, Roses chocs, and cold meat/pittas....very yummy, but not as good as mums christmas dinner! The weather was so great we managed to waddle down to the beach in the afternoon for a few hours sunbathing, it really made our New Zealand Christmas complete.

Boxing day was good, spoke to people at home which was lovely, and then, after a massive lunch, decided to go parasailing. It was awesome, very gentle. Basically Sarah and I were strapped onto a parachute and pulled by a speedboat for about 10 minutes. A lvoely way to see the bay (although we were slightly nervous when the guys told us they'd seen hammer head sharks swimming around all day...)Went on the beach for the afternoon, and in true pom style burned myself, then went to an italian for a prawn pizza- delicious.

Unfortunately the 27th was very miserable weather wise. we went jet boating arounds some of the islands, which was ok but not great in the rain! Had a standard night in watching yet more films and eating!

Ok yesterday I spoke to charlie again, ate ice cream and...yes you guessed it...watched another 2 films! (I think that brings our total to something stupid for xmas of about 15!!!!) sarah and I cooked prawn curry and watched Scream 2 and then 1, to complete the trilogy backwards. How exciting! Just arrived in Auckland after a very stressful long drive to SAuckland city, with 30 mins to unload the car and check into our hostel with the parking meter running, then another drive out to the airport (we got lost), a shuttle to the airport from the car rental place and another shuttle back to the city!!! God damn Ace Rentals! So no car anymore (I'm sure that will please my mother). Looking forward to new year and then a few days relaxing and sunning myself in the cook islands..wehu! xxx