Arrived into Auckland very late at night and checked into the not so great base hostel. Spent the next day wandering around trying to find a car to hire and when we finally found one there was a little bit of time to have a walk around the city centre.

Drove up to Millie's cousins, Brendan, who lives about 40 mins drive from Auckland. Stayed there for 3 nights with his wife Charlotte and two kids, Niall and Orla. They have a lovely house with a gorgeous view over the valleys. It was great to be in a home environment for a bit and we were very well looked after. On Saturday brendan and the kids showed us the sights of a very busy Auckland. we say Sky City, went up Mt. Eden and got a great view over the city, up One Tree Hill and to the sacred Blues' Rugby ground.

On sunday we drove up to the bay of islands, which was very picturesque. Unfortunately it was not the liveliest of places to celebrate millies birthday but we had a go! Went sailing the next day and had a very relaxing time on a yaught adn lying on a beach. It was nothing compared to the Whitsundays though!

Drove back down to Auckalnd to pick up Angela and Jordan who were going to join us travelling down to Wellington.