Today was a LONG journey! Got on te bus at 6.30am!!!! Then had an express journey all the way to Auckland from Wellington. We stopped for a photo opportunity of Mt Ruapehu which erupted in 2007 and Mt Ngauruhoe (a classic volcano shape!). We had lunch in Taupo and on the way here we drove past Lake Taupo which was stunning. It was apparently created from a huge volcanic eruption many thousands of years ago. The lake is in the crater that was created from the eruption.... Its HUGE!!! In the distance you could see what I think was Mt Tongariro. Landed into Auckland around 5.30pm. In the evening we went out for a goodbye drink with Paul who we met on the Stray bus because he was going south and we were going north the next day!

Sarah x