After a busy weekend the week was going to continue along the same theme,Mel had to go to work and earn us some money and I had arranged to show the lads around the beautiful city of Auckland.

I stepped off the ferry and walked the one block to Martin's hotel passing in and out of the sunshine as it got lost behind the tall buildings.We had Andy's hire car to get around today,we stopped off at Savage Park for some great views of the city and followed that up witha friendly but competitive game of crazy golf...

We also got some great views from One Tree Hill and Mt Eden although when I told Martin he was stood on an extinct volcano he freaked out a little bit!!!

After dropping Andy's car at his hostel in Parnell we took the 30 minute walk to the city to the Sky Tower,although I had been up before I took the ride to the top with them as it was such a nice clear day.The 3 of us stayed up there a while and watched a few people do the jump off the top while we had a drink in the bar.Andy left us at five and I showed Martin where the casino was although everything was telling me it was a bad idea,but he was on his holidays!!!!

I didn't find the next 90 minutes much fun but he did come away $130 better off and kindly shouted me my dinner at the local thai restaurant,which was really nice of him,so thanks for dinner dude.I stayed in the city until my ferry came at 9pm and went home exhausted with just enough time to catch up with Mel before bed.

Tuesday saw us set off on our 3 day road trip,we had done so much already but I had plenty planned for them the next few days.Our drive to Rotorua was straight forward and on the way in I took them to have a go on the luge.We all took 3 rides each down the hill and it was fantastic fun and I am pleased to say none of us came away with any serious injuries although there were a few minor crashes.

Once we were off the cable car I took them to Kairau Park for a walk around some of the thermal pools, before finding somewhere to sleep for the evening.It was an experiment as Martin was used to staying in hotels and as we would be staying in a hostel I wasn't sure how he would react!!!
Once he was over the initial shock of no room service,T.V in the room or minibar he took it quite well and we headed out to use our free beer coupons that I had got from reception.

We ended up in a funny little club where we bumped into a drunken Richard Branson look a like who was quite entertaining,but by 9pm I was ready for bed so left the guys to it while I went to bed.

The guys were oorganised this morning and we were on the road early for our visit to Te Puia and the Maori Cultural morning.I gave Martin a heads up and told him to volunteer as our chief,which he did and he got to be gretted by the Maori Warrior and lead us all into the marae (meeting house.) Last time Mel and I were here the geyser did go off but not for too long,today our luck was better and Pohutu Geyser erupted for well over 2 hours which was cool.

Last night we had eased Martin in with hostel life and tonight in Taupo he was pushed further,the backpacker place we stayed at had seen better days and was not the best place I had ever stayed but he took it on the chin,although I left them at 10.30pm and they wouldn't return until the early hours of the morning,maybe to avoid staying in the room!!!!!!

I had a feeling I would be the only one without a hangover this morning and I was right.Once I was showered I stepped out onto the balcony and breathed in the morning air which was chilly but fresh and there had been some snowfall on the mountain tops.I made a fresh filter coffee and chatted with the owner while Martin got ready.He was fairing better than Andy who was still fast asleep but also looked like he needed it.

Once everyone was up and ready we drove across country to Waitomo and the glow worm caves.The guide took us into the caves and we followed through admiring the formations of rock and also waiting to see the glow worms.We boarded the boat and floated along the underground river in the pitch dark,then you looked up and there were thousands of tiny glowing lights which do look magical.

By the time we got back to Auckland the weather was wet and grey and in less than 12 hours time we would be on the road again.The rain was still coming down on Friday morning as we drove into the city to collect Martin and Andy for the drive to Coromandel Town.By the time we reached Thames the rain had stopped and it had got brighter as we hugged the coast on our way to Coromandel town.

Because it had brightened up we took a ride on the Driving Creek Railway up to the lookout and despite the cloud the views were spectacular out to sea.

The short drive to Whitianga would only take an hour or so which meant we could stop off at several beaches on the way.Mel and I had not been to them and they were gorgeous with white sands and turquoise waters but best of all we had them all to ourselves.Once we had sorted out a motel Martin and Andy went off to do some bone carving and Mel and I went for lunch.We had a couple of drinks in the town but it was quiet so it was back to the apartment for a game of cards.

We were still being blessed with great weather so took advantage of it with a visit to Cooks Beach and Shakespeare point for great views over Mercury Bay.Without any doubt though the highlight of the day was our trip to Hot Water Beach.You basically take your spade and dig a hole in the sand where the water is heated by an underground hot spring up to 170 degrees centigrade hence all of us burnt our toes!!!!

It was amazing to see the steam rising from the sand and felling the heat under our feet.I dropped the lads in the city and arranged to meet Martin tomorrow to take him to the airport for his flight back to the UK while Andy would be going to Fiji on Tuesday.

I think both of them have had a great time the last 10 days as I know both Mel and I have and can't wait for our next visitors to arrive.

One other bit of good news is I am going to see my new motorbike tomorrow and arrange delivery for this week which will be cool and exciting.

Lots of Love

M & M
xx