Hi guys

Finally we have found cheap internet - so we plan on giving you a FULL update.

NZ is beautiful - obviously completely different from the Solomons and Fiji - but its a lot like home - we keep going round saying well this is like here and this is like there - think we're annoying some of the Kiwi's with that though!

We left Auckland in our Motorhome - campervan would just not do it justice - (i mean its 7m long, has a queensized bed, hot water, 3 hobs, shower and toilet) and headed towards Thames at the start of the Coromandel penninsula. We spent the night on a paid campsite using their washing machine and tumble drier - we have finally got the smell of Taro out of our clothes - although the stains are still there - definitely going to take a Mum to get those out! We left there the following morning - after our porridge and toast breakfast - and headed further along the penninsula towards Coromandel - it was a beautiful coastal drive! We spent that evening in Hahei so that we could watch the sunrise the following morning - we sat freezing on our complimentary camping chairs watching it come up - it was beautiful! After that we drove a little further down the coast to the Hot Water Beach where we dug holes and let the water come in to be heated by the sand - the water was warmer than bath water! We went back and showered in our motorhome - looking smuggly at everyone else having to use the cold showers! Hehe!!

We headed back to Hahei beach where we started our walk to Cathedral Cove along the headland - where we were really British and had tea and muffins along the way!

The following day we went down to Rotorua stopping off at the Hell's Gate Spa - mud baths and sulphur spas - never thought i'd see Matt in a spa! We then went for a walk round the Blue Lake - very New Forest! and then headed further south for an evening Maouri experience - very touristy but fantastic fun - and they fed us!! Loads of lamb and loads of mussels - definitely a hit!

The following morning we were in Taupo where we visited the thermal region of Wai-o-tapu and then went to see 'Craters of the Moon' - turned out to be a day where we walked 10K!!

We then started to make our way towards Napier - the winery region - YAY! Everything in the town was closed as it was the Queen's birthday weekend! We ended up staying right on the beach which was beautiful!!

The following day we started our tour of winery's by bike - we went to loads and tried so many wines - slightly tipsy by the end! We went back the next day to buy some of what we'd tried / get for free! Such good fun!

we started making our way South via Palmeston North where we visited the Rugby Museum and got our hands on rugby tickets for Saturday to see the All Blacks vs Ireland rugby game on Saturday!! Its meant that we've had to extend our time on the North island but i think its a sacrifice we're willing to make!

We've spent 2 days in Wellington - thank you so much Mela for letting us park up outside your house! We've indulged in the coffee culture, climbed Mount Victoria and visited the Museum - all very cultural!

Headed off to frequent the pub for a bit of pre-match banter - its going to be a good evening! The ferry tomorrow morning at 9am may however not be such a fun affair!

Missing all you guys loads

See you soon though!xx

PS - we forgot one of the memory cards - so there's only a few of the MANY photos online!