So my time in New Zealand has come to an end. My last few weeks have been spent in the North Island. I went to Rotorua which stinks of eggs on account of the hot springs and all the sulpher. While I was way I was slightly concerned to read of two men who had died from inhaling too much of the poisonous gas so I avioded going in a hot spring. I did visit a park which was a combination of a Maori educational place and a hot spring park complete with a geyser! This was quite interesting as the water spurted really high but even more amusing was all the Chinese tourists ignoring the obvious dangers not to mention the wooden fencing and climbing in close to get a better picture! Unbelievable! We were also meant to see kiwi's (the birds not people) in a kiwi house but they weren't there and as I have failed to see even one I don't believe they exist. We saw some dances and songs performed by Maori and got to see a carving and weaving school which are keeping the traditions alive. In the evening the whole bus went to another Maori place but this was much better. We had to nominate a chief who was challenged in the traditional way by a Warrior before we were allowed to enter. Once inside they had recreated a village, my favourite exhibit being the one showing how people used to get tatooed. They used albatross bone and actually cut the face before putting in charcoal. Found out some interesting info. Then we watched more dances and performances including a haka before enjoying hangi, traditional food cooked in the ground. Nice food slightly ruined by annoying Americans.

The next day I was waiting for a bus that I was told picked me up at 7.10am to go to Waitomo Glow worm caves. The bus actually arrived at 7.45 and I was not best pleased. Apparently stupid Kiwi Experience tell people half an hour early so that they will be there on time! It was freezing! The only good thing was seeing all the steam rising from the hundreds of hot springs. Anyway, got on the bus eventually and I'm sure the view was lovely but I fell asleep pretty quickly. Got to Waitomo and had to wait for about another hour as the bus arrives earlier than the tour begins. Got kitted up in my wetsuit/jacket/boots/more boots/shorts/ and harness and went off in a minibus for a 5 minute abseil lesson before I had to descend a 50metre drop through rocks into a cave! It was good fun though and I went a little too fast. Then waited in the cave for the other 5 people before doing a flying fox/zip line in the pitch black. I was the first to go and they leave you hanging in the dark wondering if something has gone wrong for what feels like forever. Then we had a little snack before jumping off a rock into a FREEZING cold river attached to a silly inflatable ring. We floated down the river getting numb hands to look at glowworms which are actually maggots and the glowing is actually their poo. Lovely. Then we had to go back the way we came, dispose of the rings and walk/stumble through the river for hours and hours and down waterfalls and stumbling over. it was exhausting. Then we had to rock climb right at the end! Got free soup to warm us up though. Got back to the hostel around 6 and went to the bar with a guy from my room and went to bed very early!

Left Rotorua the next day and headed for Auckland. This is just a city really so had a walk around, went out. I did a free bus tour the next day seeing the sights i.e. the harbour and some volcanoes/craters/beaches etc. Friday I caught a frerry to meet a friend from uni who also took me on a tour of the Western beaches on Saturday which were beautiful. Saturday I went to the rugby which was well worth it obviously. Sunday was a lazy day and on Monday I went to Cape Reinga the most nothern tip of NZ and where the Pacific meets the Tasman. You actually see the join. Tuesday was spent in the Bay of Islands and I went to where the treaty between UK and Maori was signed and a museum all about the kauri tree which is huge! Back in Auckland for one night and off to Fiji tomorrow!