Tuesday 17th January - Drive up to Paiha, about a five hour drive north. Arrive in a sweet beach town and a nice family run hostel. We had to get a dorm to save some money (about 5 quid each) which meant I had to share a room with smelly men!! Had a walk around the town and made some friends in our dorm. Wednesday 18th January - Up early to catch a trip to Ninety Mile Beach. It was a fabulous day looking at Huge sand dunes and sliding down them! We went to Cape Reinga where the Tasman sea meet the Pacific Ocean. It was strange to see them meet as the waters join as if they would on a beach! Driving along 90 mile beach was great fun - we had to go in a coach because its dangerous to do it yourself. The tide decides what time you can drive along it and \'slow\' sand means if you stop you may not be able to move again! Got back to Paiha and went to the outdoors cinema - rubbish! Thursday 19th January - Left Paiha and made our way to Whangerei, a small town with a lovely waterfall and cheap beds! Stayed in a small camp site and paid only $36 for a double room (thats about 7.50 pound each). It rained all day!! In true British style we did a bbq! Friday 20th January - Made our way back to Auckland to drop off the car and pick up the van. As soon as we had the van we made our way to Waitomo Caves. Saturday 21st January - Went to the Waitomo caves to look at the stalagmights and staligtights, as well as the 'glow worm' caves. It was really beautiful but we couldnt take photos! Back in the van heading for Rotorua. Arrived in Rotorua and stayed in a cheap camp site with hot pools!! Sunday 22nd January - Went to Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland - it stunk! It was really interesting to see the sodium pools, which shows minerals depositing as hot water flows out of the Pool. The water flows across the flats until its temperature drops before continuing to a valley where the mineral silica has facilitated the formation of sinter terraces. Back in the van going south to Napier. Arrive early in Napier and walk around the town which is by far the most beautiful. Full of art deco buildings and quaint shopping malls with a lovely beach walk. Monday 23rd January - Leave Napier and head towards Wellington. Takes about 6 hours.