We stumble out of bed just in time for Hot Springs to open. We then spend the next few hours running from pool to pool and pampering ourselves. Three of the twelve were really stinky sulphur ones, and one of them started to eat Fiona's ring (silver clearly gets tarnished by sulphur), but all was good as the friendly staff at reception were prepared for such an event and cleaned it up nicely. Then, as normal, Todder's and I fill our boots with the shower and charging stuff, while Brent took on the role of filling the water bottles.

Lunch was prepared and eaten at possibly the worlds most picturesque toilet disposal site. Thankfully, it was out of order. Check out the photos. Fully fed, we decide it is about time for some exercise and embark on the Conical Hill walk. Brent is happy with this and spends the afternoon running around like a child. We find the most amazing bright red mushroom villages and the view from the top is well worth the effort. To liven up the descent we decide to offroad it (or offpath it to be more precise), resulting in Brent falling on his arse and covering himself with mud.

Things took a random turn when we found ourselves introducing hitch hiker #2 to hitch hiker #1 - hitch hiker #1 has recently been travelling the south island on "job interviews", although we're still of the belief that he had so much fun with us the first time round that he is inventing ways of being with us again. If job interviews start popping up in the North Island, we will really start getting scared.

We then all enjoyed a few beers in the pub, then retired to Johnny for a house party - we discovered that drinking beer hunched up in the back of a campervan is not ideal, and after some serious bloating issues, went to sleep outside the springs again.

The next norning we wave goodbye to hitch hiker #1 and #2, as hitch hiker #1 volunteered to drop off our new friend in Christchurch - perhaps he was feeling a litlle threatened?! Then, having been refused return entry to the springs - apparently our wrist bands were only valid for a 24 hr period, we usefully spent our time perfecting a song that we had ad-libbed at our house party the previous evening. Both hitch hikers found the whole thing very amusing, so we felt we needed to share it with you all. A bit of background before we hit you with the lyrics:

Brent (hitch hiker #2) - was a bit of a fusser, took hours to get ready, could never find anything, had a ridiculous amount of luggage (and snot?), could not stop talking, and knew everything about everything apparently. Despite all of this he was a very nice guy, we had a fun few days, and he was very good humoured about the song we have devoted to him. Hitch hiker #1, don't feel left out, we had fun with you too, but given that you have now spent a third of our time in NZ with us, feel we do not ned a song to remember you by - in fact, you are sitting here while we type. So without further ado, here it is:

American Idiot ( you can play the song and try to sing along)

Brett:

Don't want to be an American idiot
But lately I just seem to be losing it
Met these girls who took me on a road trip
And suddenly everything turned to sh#t

Us: CHORUS

What the hell are you doing?
Come on Brent we've got to get moving
Get your sh#t together now and let's go.
Waiting by the door with the key
Trying hard to wait patiently
Why the hell d'you have to be so slow?

Brent:

Lost my camera, lost my ipod
When we were faffing with the tripod
Can't believe it I'm never like this
I wish you girls would stop taking the p#ss

Back to chorus