New Zealand - The final part

We checked into our YHA hostel in the stinky town of Rotorua for two nights , stinky for the reason that the air actually smells of rotten eggs due to Rotorua being a thermal reserve with loads of natural wonders , geysers ,thermal pools boiling mud and natural spas.

On our first day we booked into the polynesian spa to enjoy the lakes four natural thermal pools . Julia took up the option of a treatment and opted for a half hour massage and back rub after being caked in the local mud. A very relaxed Julia came back to find me still sitting in the 40 degree pool boiling like an egg! I think two and a half hours was overdoing it as for the rest of the afternoon i felt like i could faint !

The second day was more active as we chose to go Zorbing . Zorbing is an activity which is a huge inflated ball which you climb inside . To get to the ball we had to take a 4x4 jeep up the steep hill before we had to launch ourselves through the entry hole , once inside a hose was put inside and cold water was pumped in. Next the gate opened and we ran as the ball picked up speed our legs went from under us and we thundered down the hill , we were like clothes in a washing machine before we came to a halt at the bottom of the hill. This was so much fun , alot of noise made and drenched through but well worth it !

We also checked out the shweeb , this is the first worlds shweeb and has been financially backed by google.The shweeb is two overhead monorail race circuits which hang pedal powered pods . Apparently this is going to be coming to cities worldwide as a new form of commuting , so if it happens you heard it here first .

Papamoa was our next destination , we arrived and put up our cheap and cheerful two man tent just a stones throw from the golden sandy beach . From Papomoa we explored Mount Manganui , it was a glorious sunny day so we walked the base of the Mount as a warm up before trekking to the summit . Once at the top all puffed out and looking like we had ran a marathon we took a well earnt rest checking out the cruise liners , paragliders and surrounding bays while snapping away with the camera .

The evening we spent in the town of Tauranga where we dined at the harbour before returning to the cold hard floor of the tent .

The next day we took the hours journey to Hobbiton in the town of Matamata. This is where some of the scenes from the lord of the rings movies were filmed . We got to see hobbit holes , the party tree , the pub plus all the new sets being made for the next film currently under production " The Hobbit ' .

Although we took loads of photos we had to sign a legal document promising not to put them on the internet as they want to keep everything a secret until the new film is realeased , otherwise they will sue us . Boo!

As the set is filmed on a 13,000 populated working sheep farm the tour would not have been complete without some sheep shearing and lamb feeding .

That evening we drove to Oropi near Tauranga , here we were meeting up and staying the night with an old work friend of Julias called Ian , his wife Paula and their 3 children . We were treated to a delicious BBQ , cold beer and a comfy bed . So thanks to Ian and the family for their kind hospitality!

Our final days in New Zealand were spent in the Northland .

First base was a campsite at ninety mile beach to pitch the tent .

With an early start we headed up to Cape reinga . On route we stopped at the giant sand dunes and hired some sand surf boards . Armed with what resembled a boogie board we hiked the giant dune aptly named psycho slope and bombed down head first taking in mouthfuls of sand at high speed , again so much fun but such hard work walking up and with our great levels of fitness we only managed 3 goes !

Once brushed down back in the car to Tapotupato bay , it was totally deserted giving us the bay to ourselves . Julia took the chance to lie and sunbathe while i entertained myself in the warm but choppy sea .

From here we headed to the most northern point of New Zealand , Cape Reinga and strolled to the lighthouse again enjoying the stunning scenery and bright sunshine over the surrounding bays .

For the evening we drove to Manganuis world famous fish and chip shop as awarded by the daily telegraphs ex-pat section . The food was lovely so we stuffed ourselves silly !

The morning after we cheerfully packed up our tent knowing our camping stint was over and we made the short journey to Paihia.

We decided for Paihia we would treat ourselves to a self contained chalet / motel with two bedrooms , kitchen . bathroom , decking area and BBQ this was lovely in comaparison to smelly old backpacker hostels and could easily get used to this .

In Paihia we took the passenger ferry to a place called Russell , a shoreline scattered with classy restaurants , tearooms and souvenier shops we decided to stop for lunch before walking the track uphill to lookout. From the lookout we looked down on New Zealands most expensive house . Currently on the market for 26 million pounds i was tempted to put in an offer but thought it was just too far from all you lovely friends and family !

We have both had a great time in New Zealand and we are looking forward to updating you from our next destination , the beautiful Yasawa islands of Fiji .

We hope you have enjoyed the photos and blog so far .

Lots of love - Mark and Julia xxx