Seems odd being moored at Tauranga a couple of days ago and visiting Rotorua, now we are doing another tour in area whilst moored in Auckland. Long drives from either base but lots to see on the way. Got to see Hamilton today.

The caves were great, stalactites, stalagmites and millions of glow worms. And it is something to fill time between the bronze final and the big final.

Oddly we are on a very posh coach that must seat 60, but only 8 of us. Seems to be a trend across this cruise on entertaining, some families travelling, but also high number of rugby guys who seem less interested in doing tours. Mix on ship is wide, SA, Aussies, Brits, Kiwis, French etc. A few firms doing rugby packages so quite a few famous rugby players on board as well.

Our coach driver is a walking encyclopaedia, size of islands, highest/biggest/deepest/widest etc. Politics, economy, farming, vegetation, transport, comparison of cities etc. Interesting commentary throughout the 2& 1/2 hr trip.

Nice touches like stop for morning tea, the caves and then lunch on a farm before heading back. Even the houses out in the countryside have flags flying from gates etc. National flags, but mostly AB flags. Nearly as many flags as there are sheep.