Have been in Auckland for a couple of days now. It's still very strange to hear English speaking people all over the place...hallelujah!! lol. Nor can we get used to the fact that we have lost a whole day!! Needless to say, our jet lag has been annoying. We arrived with some Irish girls and are all in the same room. Yesterday morning all four of us were wide awake at 3 in the morning.

The customs rigmarole was a real fag at the airport....though funny at the same time!! We had to declare our panpipes that we had bought in Chile as they were made of wood. It was hilarious though as Anna's are like the size of my little finger (and that is small!!) and the customs officers were oh so serious. Carefully checking them over and putting them in a clear plastic bag. We also ended up ramming a whole pack of mints down our necks on the plane before we got off, as we didnt know whether we'd have to declare them or not! Felt sick afterwards! ha!

We have managed to organise the next stage of our trip though, which is a big weight off our minds. We leave Auckland tomorrow morning, to go to Paihia, on the first leg of our Kiwi Experience. Both very excited about this. Very much looking forward to being proper tourists, and doing all the activities!!

Auckland is a lovely city. We went on a free day tour yesterday around the city. Cannot believe how clean the water is in the harbour with it being next to a massive city.

The tour was with a rival operator to the one we have booked on. We went on the tour as a kind of taster of their company. It confirmed our belief that they were a bit 'out there', as the guy who ran the tour was this mad surfer dude who cracked annoying jokes and said 'not to baaad maaan' about 50 times!! Hilarious, but slightly embarassing too!!

We are off on a mission to buy last minute things for the trip now. ..Au Revoir!