We arrived in New Zealand on Friday 4th April after a short flight from Fiji. To be honest, for a few days, we barely ventured out of the hostel. For some reason, we were constantly tired and it can't have been just the jet lag but hey! All their really is to tell you about Auckland is that the Sky Tower is pretty cool (we didn't go up it because we couldn't afford it - it was that or eat), Louise and I got very drunk down in the clubs on the waterfront and then ate a questionable kebab (still not sure if it was ACTUAL meat), we met a couple from Northampton called Lucy and Stuart who were really cool so we had a few beers and played cards on the roof of our hostel with them and finally, pasta and rice are lifesavers! We did however organise all our activities and do our budgeting - not very exciting at this point.

On Tuesday 8th April, we headed up to Paihia and the Bay of Islands. It seems as though everywhere you look in New Zealand is a landscape worthy of picture. On the first night, we had a big BBQ at the hostel and then drank copious amounts of Vodka and cranberry whilst listening to the karaoke.

Wednesday 9th April - we went on a tour up to the northernmost point of New Zealand and the point where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean, Cape Reinga. There should be some pictures up on my Facebook which are worth checking out as it was truly a beautiful place (although pretty much everything here is). We also visited Tapotupotu beach where i went bodyboarding on some massive, massive waves - Newquay boys, imagine the biggest waves we saw and then imagine those waves over and over - thats pretty close:). The highlight of the tour were the Te Paki Giant Sand Dunes. We went sandboarding down them and it was one of the coolest things I've ever been lucky enough to do. I managed to get back to the top 4 times before we left. I think i clocked in at around 45mph down one of the 200m runs. Apart from a drive down 90 Mile Beach (actual length 64.4 miles), there isn't much more to tell you about this day - as soon as we got back to Paihia we collapsed asleep.

On Thursday 10th, after a 14hour sleep, we were supposed to go on a Jet boat ride out to the 'Hole In The Rock' but the boat broke down so we didn't get far. My kayaking tour was cancelled as well so up to that point, it wasnt a very successful day. Louise and I did bike upto the Waitangi treaty grounds where the Maori tribes were united under the British Empire and we took loads of pictures on the hill overlooking the bay.

The best part of the day was getting very drunk in our room (mainly to get my confidence up) and heading to the karaoke competition. The prize was 2-4-1 on skydiving in the Bay of Islands. Louise and I sand 'You're the one that i want' from Grease and then i sang The Foundations - Build Me Up Buttercup. I FREAKIN' WON! So wegot 2-4-1 skydiving, parasailing, volcano trek and quad-biking. As a result we decided to stay in the Bay Of Islands a few days longer.

Friday 11th April - went on a jet boat ride out to the 'Hole In The Rock' which was incredible! We were literally flying across the waves and i got absolutely drenched as we managed to get the front seats on the boat. This was definitely worth doing so if anyone comes to Paihia, it's worth booking a place on the 'Excitor' or 'Mack Attack'.

I think that pretty much brings you guys up to date. I'll try and keep on top of this blog so you don't have to sit here and read another big passage. I hope you're all well and I'll be keeping in touch:) x