Excited.....just a little. So today we explored the Sky Tower in the daylight (awesome view and structure) and hopped back on the sky bus towards the airport to collect the camper. At the airport we board the yellow hopper bus to the depot (well I, Sarah tried to board the orange bus insisting it was yellow, this amused the bus driver and Louise no end, however I didn't look as silly when the yellow bus did eventually arrive and it was white!) The depot comprised of lots of various camper vans, sizes, shapes, makes and hire outfits. We checked in and a little while later we were shown to our van. We had no idea what we were getting really, although we knew it was a 'maui' and organised for us by lovely Martin at the Flight Centre......Wow what another little result, we were about to embark on this epic adventure in a new VW Camper van with all mod cons, we even had the premium pack so got the works i.e. no drop off fee, free diesel, GPS, extra table and chairs etc etc. We were very pleased as he (we named it Bruce) was a diesel therefore cheap to run..... Less than $1 a litre 45p and 500km to a full tank..... Louise was shown the working, gas, water, toilet, shower etc and we set off into the sunset.....Not quite but to the nearest supermarket at any rate.... I, Sarah was nearly hyperventilating at the thought of shopping, I love to shop. A few hours later and laden down with a staple larder and a few things to bling the van up, practical and much needed things such as a welcome mat! We finally hit the road. We had both separately come up with a plan i.e. driving route, must see things to do and see and when we shared, low and behold we had the same things and plan.... We love it when a plan comes together so we headed towards our first point the Coromandel Peninsular. 2 hours later and our jaws were still open, no full sentences were appearing just oohs, argghhs, wows, gasps and lots of pointing......the country is amazing, think of all the best parts of Britain its Cornish coasts, Peak District rocks, Lake District lakes and rivers, Wales valleys and hills, Ireland greenery, Norfolk towns etc and this is what you get in a 360 degree view. We follow the coast road and using an amazing app ( that works without wifi) 'campermate', we find our first free freedom camping spot in Tapu. Right beside the beach.......wonderful. Another bonus November is a great month to travel, to do the things we want to do, with little camp space competition......

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