Dear Diary,

28/11 - Left Mercury Bay at the stupid hour of 7am on our way to Rotorua.

A fairly quiet day on the bus. Went for a 30 min walk through a gorge used in the old mining days. A few of us made it slightly more interesting by loosing the main group 5 mins after our guide told us to stay togetehr otherwise we could get lost & they would have to contact search & rescue!! Being the intrepid explorers we are, we eventually found our way & got back to our bus only 10 mins after everyone else!!

Had a picnic lunch in the surrounding area of the gorge which was a perfect place to chill out for a bit.

Went Zorbing (big ball filled with water that you climb in & get pushed down a hil!!). Lee, Joe & I got in the same ball & it was an absolute riot. Lots of laughing, kness & elbows flying about!!

Arrived at hostel (Hot Rocks) about 5pm (wasn't the best hostel by a long shot, but it did have a pool which was heated naturally by the geothermal activity in Rotorua, so was more like a warm bath (can't remember the last time I actually had a bath!!).

Went out that night to a Tamaki tour, concert & Hangi (dinner). This was an insight into Mauri life, traditions, songs, dance etc. It was very interesting but I did find it a bit too 'touristy'. The dinner afterwards was magnificent.

Last night with the gang I'd been with the last week (as I have a tighter schedule than them), so we all went out for some drinks & in the process got to know a few more people from the bus I was going to be on.