Hi everyone!

This will be our last entry in New Zealand, we're leaving tomorrow evening for Fiji. Since the last time we wrote, we've finished our touring. After Taupo we headed up to Rotorua (the van has made it all the way by the way - and we got compensation!) where it is very smelly. We saw lots of hot thermal pools and boiling mud, stopping to take a dip in a few. Couldn't take the smell for long (smelt like warm rotten eggs) so we headed across to Waitomo Caves to see thousands of glow worms, drifting on a little wooden boat. Very cool.

Headed back across to Matamata to do the obligatory Hobbiton visit on the farm where LOTR was filmed. Enjoyed being geeks for a few hours. Then it was off to the Corromandel Peninsula, to gorgeous beaches. Walked a long way for Cathedral Cove, a massive rock on a beautiful beach, then walked all the way back! Enjoyed a little train trip to the top of a hill for awesome views. Then back down and around, through Auckland and up to the Bay of Islands. Again very pretty, we enjoyed the weather and only just missed the MAori King's arrival on a big ole canoe!

Drove back to Auckland where we've been the last few days. Cool city, though quite expensive. Been up the Sky Tower, walked a LOT, saw Chinese New Year celebrations and buskers on the street. Watched a movie and basked in the sunshine. Got rid of the van, back to our backpacks now, off to Fiji tomorrow night.

Glad all is well at home, hope it's not too cold for you all. We saw the snow on the news tonight - looks like great fun! We'll think of you on our Fijian beaches...

Not too long now, see you all soon! Keep up the messages and comments, and good luck to Mark and Lou - all the best for the big arrival!

Lots of love from Jo and Roy Xxx