Back to Tauranga and Mount Maunganu

Yippee work had ended, but it was a little sad that we had to say good bye. On the road again though; a good feeling. The harpers dropped us into town before there lunch at Ross's brother (who he had a little moan about!!!). Back to the harbourside hostel that Rick had dropped us to before!! We had the luxury of a four bed share to ourselves.

After checking in we pootled into town; doing a bit of window shopping and booking up for the cinema.....Casino Royale. Sam was especially excited by going to see James Bond. The weather had turned from grey and miserable to a bit of a scorcher; and so we popped back for some summery clothes and caught the bus to Mount Maunganui. After all our hard work in the orchards we decided to treat outselves to lunch out. We found a nice tapas restaurant that didn't seem to expensive. Was yummy ...we enjoyed calamari, grape leave wraps and some wedges; we felt very fat and wandered how we were gonna reach the top of the mount.

We got to the bottom of the mount and had a gander at the walking routes; in usual em n sam styly we took ages decided which way to go. Ross had suggested going right around the bottom first starting at the harbourside then going to the top, so this is what we did (with one small wrong turn). The view got better and better as we walked around. We were over looking beautiful little beaches and rock pools and looking out onto the Pacific Ocean. As we got to the otherside we looked straight down the beautiful Mount Maunganui beach(the one in the pic). It was a little busyier than most beaches we had come across so far though still nothing compared to the heaving beaches at home (especially as it had definetely turned into a scorching day).

Next stop the top. We started the walk to the top. We were boiling just walking up it though there were loads of people jogging up and around it ....nutters we thought. After a few small decisions as to which way to take (very hard for us as decisions aren't our forte, a toss of the coin is generally used); we were walking a rather gravelly path with an extremely steep drop only a foot away. As usual in typical Kiwi style there were no barriers or fence, not even a rope or a post!!!! It was a little stomach churning. On the way up we had stunning views along the coastline; of the whites beaches, the lagoon and Matakana island.

Eventually we reached the top, it felt like we had been going for hours. It was definitely worth it. We admired the views for a little while and took some pics. Then decided we better start the walk down otherwise we might miss the film, everything seemed to be getting tighter for time (probably due to having a few lie-ins). We took the slightly harder route down, but still shouldn't have taken us to long. Which it didn't (though i did trip stupidly after twisting ankle; it looked very amusing and Sam had a giggle at me) but we had come out at a different point than we had started. mmm...how far around are we???!!! We asked a few walkers going by which was the quickiest way back. Typical ... they informed us we were pretty much smack bang in the middle on the otherside .....so either way would do.

Trotted back to the bus stop, only waited 5 mins. Got on board and for reasons unknown to me the driver asked us if we were Brazillian!!!. After correcting him and telling him we were from England. He said he knew every street in England (i think maybe he ment London.....bless!!!), as when we mentioned Cornwall he didn't have a clue. He was taking a trip to London and Scotland in January, we did inform him that he must be mad ....and we got a bit cocky cos we weren't gonna have a winter for little while. As we were getting back into Tauranga, he asked us what we were upto and implied us going out with him though i didn't catch what he had said...luckily. I just said that we were off tomorrow!!!... phew.

Back at the hostel it was a little like supermarket sweep, as we had little time. We got a shower made some tea, ate washed up and quickly put a bit of slap on (vital for James.....Bond that is). Got to the Cinema ...still with enough time to buy popcorn of course!!! We very much enjoyed the film especially the new actor Daniel Graig...YUMMY. He is now our pin up!! The film and actor definetely lived upto and beyond Sams expectation of Bond. (Casino Royale was the first written, you prob all know this by now). We went straight to bed after tiring day and all the excitement of the Cinema.

Next day, checked out and wandered round town; did a little retail therapy. Sam got herself a nice black summery skirt for the beach and evenings, it was a bargain as well. Took the intercity bus to Rotorua....was pretty darn hot on bus.