So off we went to Roturua! Stopping for a picnic on the way Karangahake after a walk through the railway tunnel that was used in the gold mining days.. Arriving at Roturua..staying at hot rocks (base) hostel with a bar that was spitting distance - Get in! We spent the evening at a Maori experience...having a weclome ceremony where it is incredibly insulting to smile/laugh or make faces!! come on...what does Lisa do when she is nervous! well we can happy say we...

so we manage to get our flight the next day even if it was 2 hrs delayed.. arrive in auckland quite late so very happy we have pre-booked a hostel.. woke up the next day decided it was time for laudry..well...we washed everything we own cos it was damp from the cyclone..it took ages..but we were so glad!! had a wlk around auckland, grabbed somthing to eat - saw the sky tower and had a stroll to the harbour.. everyone has explained that there isnt much to do ...

Well, we wake up to quite strong winds and the sea looks really rough! We assume we won't be able to get off of the island and we shall have to change our flight.. After breakfast Sarah the receptionist came to tell us that they are sending south sea cruises..yay! Mainly to get supplies to the islands and only to take people who have flights. If you can stay on the islands it is safer..but we have to fly the next day so we are gonna chance it! We pack so quickl...

Arrive at our stop and LJ and Pete are comin here too...We met these guys at Sunrise resort.. Checking into our own double room which looked like a tiny cottage- lovely! We have dinner and start drinking with LJ and Pete, played some drinking games and when the bar closed we got a few more cans and made our way to the beach. LJ and Pete left the next day..they are off to Kuata. Chilled out on the beach, lots of reading and sleeping..Evening comes and we get r...

So we set out on South Sea Cruises again awaiting our stop to Manatray, not daring to look at the resort boat as it drops off checking out people- YAY !!! Davo and sophie nowhere to be seen! which means they are still on the resort...get in! Off we go to surprise them on the island, we pull up and run and give them both a big hug... Our 3 nights at Manatray were great - lots of relaxing and reading in the hammocks on the beach...plenty of rum and coke ...oooh a...