Our first night in the camper had been comfy and we slept well after being so knackered! Scott had been a bit cold as he doesn't have a sleeping bag - we'd bought some thick cotton sheets for him but they weren't really enough. We woke at 7am to the sun rising over the sea in the stunning location we had chosen to camp. We were at the Bay of Islands north of Auckland on North Island. After breakfast overlooking the little beach at our camp site we set off on a half day boat excursion to explore the bay, see the famous 'Hole in the Rock' and to hopefully see dolphins!

We were not disappointed as after only 20 minutes or so we came across a huge pod and were delighted to see the bottle nosed dolphins jumping in the air and playing in the spray by the bow of the boat. Scott and I had the perfect spot to view them and could even lean over the front of the boat with our cameras to get close up shots!

After a good half hour of dolphin viewing the boat left the pod and headed further out in the Bay. We cruised round many of the 60 islands surrounded by little secluded quiet coves with still green water just crying out to be explored. We were told by our captain that the water is so green due to phyllo-plankton. The scenery was certainly idyllic and the glorious sunshine served to make it even more dramatic. We then passed through the majestic hole in the rock - a large version of something similar to Durdledoor where the water had carved the rock of one of the islands to create an opening. Amazingly our huge boat fitted through - be it a tight squeeze!

Lunch stop involved pulling up to one of the peaceful coves I mentioned earlier, and we just had enough time to walk up the green hillside to a stunning view point and picnic spot for our sandwiches I'd made earlier.

Given how little time we have in NZ we are trying to cram as much stuff into our days as possible - no rest for the wicked! So after getting back to the mainland we took our campervan another 10 mins or so along the coast to a place called Wantangi which is famous for when the New Zealand treaty was signed in 1840 uniting the Maori tribes and the Commonwealth. We explored the visitors centre and treaty building (now restored) and saw the largest Maori war ship ever constructed. The boats were made traditionally form the huge Kauri trees of which we shall hopefully see some still growing tomorrow in the Waitomi forest.

We had a scenic 90 minute drive across the width of North Island from east to west to a very small town called Oponens on a harbour. We have a good system going now where Scott does the driving and I map read when necessary and prepare the dinners/wash up. Our kitchen is v limited with one gas ring on a little camp stove and an ice box instead of a fridge, so I am having to think of lots of one pot dishes! Tonights dinner went well despite the long wait for it (chicken, onions and veg in a garlic tomato sauce with pasta).