Left auckland upwards to hahei we stopped off to buy veg for tea including some kumara which is like sweet potato. The hostel was on a camp site next to the beach, we spent time relaxing on the beach before we went to dig hot pools on hot water beach. The water was so hot it was so strange. The water came from the volcanic rocks. We had a BBQ for tea and had some drinks while playing cards. Met some girls from chorley, such a small world.
27th october
Our hostel was surrounded by trees and on top of a huge hill. We had the opportunity to learn to surf but it was far too cold for that, instead we walked to the beach and lay in the sun watching surfers while playing the longest ever game of eye spy. We set off to walk up the very steep hill and a very nice local guy gave us a lift to the top, thank god. The bus driver cooked us a roast, not as goodcas mine but it only cost us about 1.50. We played killer pool and I came 3rd out of about 15, the cider helped. Moving on again tomorrow at 8am. Who said this was a holiday!!!!!!
28th October
For some reason I decided to go caving. We arrived in waitomo and was dropped off at the caves to get kitted out in our wetsuits and wellys, I looked like a teletubby. The entrance to the caves was small enough, never mind the rest of it. 4hours of crawling through small spaces in the dark floating on tubes looking at the hundreds of glow worms that line the caves and swimming through freezing water until we reached the exit. I wouldn't say it was the best decision of my life to do this but it was an experience and I can at least say I did it. We left there to go to stay with a local maori family where the guys get to learn the haka and the girls the poi. It was great fun. We went to the beach built a fire and sat drinking and chatting for hours. A really good day