After a very hairy bus ride (how do they make the roads so steep!) we arrived in Paihia. We were picked up at the bus station and taken to our new home which was fine but it was up the steepest drive in the world! We had a few hours to have a look around Paihia but it only took 10 mins (and it was peeing it down) so went to a flashy bar by the wharf for a bottle of wine and then home for the obligitory pasta supper!

We ventured over to Russell the next day and met Toni (a friend of Noo's back in the day!) and her husband Phil. We walked round Russell for an hour or so - via the pub - and then went out on the Dolphin discovery boat which was amazing! We had at least 10 - 15 dolphins round the boat and we hung over the front of the boat as they swam along - they are great in real life. The trip also took us to the Hole in the Rock where the sea was ink blue until it lapped up on the shore and it was a brilliant turquoise. We stopped on private island and had a walk up to the Pa site which had fab views. We gave into temptation that night and had a fab meal (and another bottle of wine!) at the place we'd found on the first night.

Our 3rd day was spent on a trip up to 90 mile beach and Cape Reinga. Have a look at the piccies - a great day which included Surfing down sand dunes and fish & chips on the way home! Fab

The last day was fantastic, we had a lazy morning doing bits and pieces and then Toni came to pick us up went out kayaking up to Haruru Falls (Noo - you'd be proud of us!). It was quite easy going on the way down there but we had the tide and the wind to contend with on the way back - quite a challenge, but we made it back! Toni and Phil then treated us to a BBQ at their place in Russell (20 mins from Paihia on the ferry). We met some friends of theirs and had a wonderful evening with lots of yummy food and - you've guessed it - plenty of beer and wine.

The next leg is down to Rotorua - 9 hours on a coach - OH JOY!!