Wellington

We left Maketu and headed south to Rotorua and taupo. We stopped at Kaitiaki Adventures at Rotorua to go white water rafting on the Kaituna River. The rafting was fooking immense!! We went down a 7m waterfall which is the highest commercial waterfall you can do. The funniest part was when Frank the German lad got thrown out and was stuck under the raft. The look on his face when he resurfaced was priceless! Once things for sure I'll def be going white water...

Maketu, Maori Cultural Experience We arrived at 'Uncle Boys Place' in Maketu for a Traditional Maori Cultural Experience. On our arrival we were welcomed in pouhiri. We were also met by a warrior who gave us a wero (challenge). He used a taiaha (quarter staff) to issue the challenge showing us his warrior skills. A baton is then placed on the ground for the chief (Donatello) of the visiting tribe to pick up. After our chief accepts the friendship a waiata (...

We left Hahei bright and early and headed towards Raglan. On our way we stopped at a small town called Paeroa for a bite to eat. Paeroa is only known for one thing and that is the 'World Famous in NZ' drink lemon and Paeroa. Every shop fron is decorated in L&P merchandise (even though it's now owned by Coke and brewed in Auckland). The only sight really worth seeing is the giant L&P bottle, and being tourists we had a big group photo next to it. ( I ...

After getting back from the Bay of Islands I spent a couple of days in Auckland. I jumped on another Stray Bus and headed south from Auckland. The first night was to be in Hahei. Our bus driver was called Skins. We had a really good mix of people on the bus, Brits, Irish, Germans, Dutch, Italiam, Argentinian, Swedes, Americans and Canadians. Ski was giving us all the lowdown on the local history, culture and nature on the bus while on our way to the Cormantal ...