So we headed up north, I am pretty sure I told you all about that. We stayed in a town called Paihia, very nice little coastal beach resort town. The first day we just chilled out by the beach and soaked up the rays (very nice weather I am afraid to say). We walked around and explored a bit and it was all very nice. The second day we were there we had booked ourselves onto an overnight boat cruise in the bay.... the bay of islands of course. The cruise is called the Rock or Rock the boat or something along those lines. Regina's cousing Orla recommended it to us (big thank you from us.. and the crew). We set off at about five in the afternoon. Once we were at sea the fun commenced. We started out with some target shooting off the back of the boat with a paint ball gun (enviro friendly of course), at an australian duck tied to a rope (we both missed on three attempts). Then we cast some lines in the water and had an old fish (unsuccessuffly of course). When we got to the bay we would spend the night, the captain and owner arrived back... we hadnt noticed him disappearing, with a massive Red Snapper he had just caught us for dinner. We spent about two hours fishing off the side of the boat and still didnt catch anything, although some of the other passengers did get some small ones. After fishing we had a lovely big barbeque dinner, with loads of salad, steak, sausages and of course the Red Snapper which was lovely. As night fell the kayaks came out... werent expecting that were ya!!! Off we all went, at about half eleven for a kayak under the stars, and in phosphorescent waters. There is an algae that grows there that absorbs sunlight during the day and at night, when agitated, it gives off a green glow. You can run your hands through the water off the side of the kayak and it lights up (also the paddle works). We kayaked around for a bit, then lay back in our kayaks for some star gazing and consolation mapping by our lovely guide. When we got back to the boat (we had been the 4th and last group to go), we all decided to jump in for a swim since the water was warmer than the air at this stage. It was savage stuff altoghether because the algae was around the boat aswell so we light up like making snow angels in the sea. We swam around for about ten minutes in it and the got out, had some hot tea by the fire and off to bed.

Up the next morning, nice and early to dive off the back of the boat.... brrrrrr but refreshing stuff, must try that again the next chance I get!!!! Lovely big breakfast, and we then kayaked to a nearby Island for some hiking and snorkeling. We snorkled just around the beach and rock area, but there are loads of sea urchins there (little round spikey guys like hedgehogs). we grabbed a few of them to bring back (500 USD per kilo of meat). When we got back we headed back to port. On the way we caught a fish (cant remember what type because the name was mauri). The captains step dad gutted and scaled the fish and presented it raw to us to try with some soy sauce and wasabi. We were all eager to try it (except Regina who had to be cohersed by the captain to eat it). It was lovely, but a bit wriggly. Then we had the sea urchins, kind of like eating oysters, they were prepared off the back of the boat and eaten raw. And finally some steamed mussels and we were back to dry land. Best 22 hour cruise ever I would think, so much fun and the crew were the friendliest people in the world (they learned all our names by heart in about an hour, there was 30 of us!!!!)

We spent the night back in Paihia and the next day the plan is to head to Cape Reinga and the 90 mile beach...... I will tell you all about it the next chance I get, now its dinner time

PS.... Happy Birthday Niamh from David and Regina :)