Hello again! After I put up my last blog, me and Mike went to the Nomads bar, called Fort Street Union, and got some food. Was really yummy, lovely bar (only built last year) and there was a guy singing and playing guitar. After we ate we went to bed and slept in till 8. Prett bad start to the day... When we booked our first few nights in a package it said a half day bus tour was included. We found out when we got here that the bus tour was free to anyone anyway which might have changed our minds about paying for the package (decided now it was still worth the reassurance of having the first 2 nights sorted). We were then told we hadn't been booked for the tour, and to go back at 9am. So, we went to book and they told us it was fully booked.... not good! Luckily, there was a tour with a different provider with spaces on and they booked us for that. It started at 10 so we got to the stop for 9.45.... and sat there for 45 minutes! As you can imagine we were pretty frustrated (at least it was sunny!). Anyway, bad stuff STOPS RIGHT HERE because you'll be pleased to hear, the rest of the day was amazing. The guide eventually turned up, a tour guide called Q who has been working with the Kiwi Ex for 14 years. There was no one else on the bus at that point ( a little minibus ) so we went round to other hostels to pick people up. There was a girl from California (Katie) and a guy from Lincoln (Bruce) and 2 Danish guys who were all really nice, along with a pain in the ass old woman from Birmingham who was telling the driver how to do his job the whole time. Theres always one I guess!! Anyway we went on a little drive out of the centre. The driver said exactly what me and Mike wanted to hear... he said people don't always leave we a good impression of Auckland because they're stuck in the centre, and don't get to see anything but shops. He said the tour was to get people out the centre to see Auckland at its best. He was right! First of all we went to the Auckland Harbour Bridge. From the photos and looking at it, it didnt look that high and when we were told people could bungee off it we were suprised. We put on helmets and waist bands and they attached us to a railing next to a metre wide walkway at the edge of the bridge (in a bit under where the cars go). We were wrong about the height!! As we made our way to the center of the bridge we realized it didnt look high because it was a gradual climb but a massive, massive bridge. It took 10 mins to walk to the middle!! Never thought I had a fear of heights but felt pretty nervous as we unclipped ourselves to walk up some steep steps into the bungee area. It was so windy and the floor was just metal bars so you could see straight though. It was 40 meters above the sea, Got an amazing view of Auckland though! We were with another group of about 15 people who were there to bungee and we were able to watch which was amazing. Everyone was really brave and just got on with it, was good to see what went on and crazy to think we'd be bungeeing. This is one of the smallest bungees in NZ! We were asked if any of our group wanted to give it a try, and Katie said she would! She'd not done it but signed a few forms and that was it, was so quick! They dunked her in the water up to her neck so she was soaked. Said she loved it though. Went back down, saw her DVD then got back on the minibus. Went on a lovely drive over the bridge to Devonport, past some gorgeous houses. It was a lovely, really pretty fishing town on the other side of the sea. Stopped of for fish and chips then headed to North Head which was an old Fort aimed to protect Auckland in the wars. It was never used as they didn't get attacked but made a great place to visit! Went into a little hut on the top of the fort and watched a movie about the area, then walked over the hills, through some caves, down the side of the mountain in a foresty area, then along the beach. So many different areas in one place, and again, saw incredible views. Headed back to the city centre aftyer that and said out goodbyes, were sooo pleased we'd done the trip as it did change our views of Auckland and felt a proper start to the trip. Went back to the hostel, and went up to the rooftop jacuzzi which was brilliant. Lovely to relax a bit! Got changed and went into the city. Had a meal by the sea in a really nice bar, then went to the Sky Tower. There was amassive place with bars and resaraunts at the bottom with a show for the Chiense New Year going on which we watched a bit. We decided as we were here we'd go up to the top of the Sky Tower, which makes the Spinnikar Tower look tiny! Went to the viewing platform and felt pretty wobbley. Auckland is full of Skyscrapers, but this thing made them look like nothing at all. Honestly cant explain how high this thing was! The views were incredible and Auckland looked amazing all lit up. It was an amazing finish to a brilliant day. Of to Mecury Bay next, will keep you posted. x