Whitianga and Rotorua

I got up early on Friday morning and boarded the big green bus. We went to Mt eden which is a big volcano that has great views over Auckland. We then got to Whitianga (pronounced fitty anger!) and Mercury bay. I decided to go kayaking with a few others on the sea around some beautiful islands and a beach. We were kayaking for a good three hours whihc was pretty intense and cold towards the end. It was well woth it though and the guide even made us a hot chocolate on the beach. We had spray skirts to try and keep the water out whihc made us look ridiculous and didn't really stop us from getting wet!

We got to the hostel that night where the owners cooked us a lovely spaghetti bolognase. Then the whole group of us went to some gorgeous hot springs for a beer and some relaxing!

The next day we set of for Rotorua. On the way we stopped foe a lovley walk in some caves and accroos bridges where the scenery was beautiful. We also stopped in Hobbitan village where lord of the rings was filmed.

Rotorua is one of the most cultural town on the north island and aslo has lots of geothermal activity. The Earth's crust is very thin here which means you see loads of steam coming up from pools of hot water. The pressure of the hot water build up and a big spray of water called a geysier comes out of the ground. We went to a museum that explained the geothermal activity, showed us a hot mud ppol and explained a bit about the Maori culture.

In the evening, we went to a maori culture night in a traditonal village. A boy form our group was chosen as the chief of our bus (wakka) so, when we got there he had to stand in front of the tribe (without laughing) whilst they danced, grunted, bulged thier eyes and stuck their tongues out. similar to what the all blacks rugby team do. We were told not to laugh or smile but I found that pretty difficult! They then showed us how they make things like clothes, weapons and tattoos and also some dancing and singing to welcome us. Out "chief" Lewis had to touch noses and heads with the chief and say kia ora which means welcome!

We then had a traditonal meal that they cook by placing the food and hot rocks in a hole in the ground and covering it for three hours. The food was amazing, it was just like a roast dinner and probably the best meal i am going to eat in along time!

Today a girl, from my bus, called Francis and I went for a walk around the park with more natural hot water pools and the hot, steaming lake. It rained and we got absoslutly soaked so we went to the polyneasen spa to warm up! It was so nice! It has many different small pools outside whihc are different temperatures and naturally from the lake. The lake does contain a lot of sulphur so this whole town, including the lovely spa, smell like rotten eggs! Lovely!

Im off for dinner and drinks in the bar now and get the bus to Waitomo tomorrow. Lots of love xxx

Will upload pics when I have time becasue it is taking way to long

Auckland

Being hungover on flights seems to be standard for me now! This is how my flight to New Zealand was! I arrived in Auckland yeasterday, checked into my hostel and wondered around the centre of the city. It is even more like England than Sydney was and is full of so many different nationalities. I even saw cows in a field on the way from the airport! It is colder here too!

The people in my dorm were a bit boring, so in the evening I went down to the bar next door. As I walked in they were giving away free cocktails which was perfect! I met a group of people and watched some of the funny competitions that were going on in the bar.

Today, I went up the sky tower which is the tallest tower in the southern hemisphere. It was a pretty cool view of the city and you could watch people jumping from the top which was quite entertaining! It also had a glass floor in some areas which was really scary!

I then wondered around the parks of the city and down to the harbour to see the bridge and all the sailing boats which Auckland seems to be known for. Tonight I may go down to the bar again and tomorrow morning I start the Kiwi Expereince bus which will take me down to Mercury bay.

xxx

1st stop!

My flight to Sydney was pretty awful as I was very hungover and had lost my voice. When we got to Sydney airport the crosswinds were too strong so we were diverted to Brisbane. At Brisbane airport we just had to sit on the tarmac for 3 hours while the winds calmed down and the plane was refulled.

Anyway, I arrived at my hostel which is very big and very nice. You could dance in the (very hot) shower if you wanted! I spoke to a girl in my dorm and went out for dinner with her and some other people and then for drinks in the bar under the hostel.

After a much needed long sleep, I got up this morning and when to see the typical Sydney sights with the girl from my dorm. I walked to Sydeny harbour bridge and the opera house which looked really nice in the sunshine and blue sky. Its weird seeing them in real life after seeing so many pictures e.t.c!

We then got on the bus to Bondi Beach. It is an amazing beach with white sand and clear sea. Even though today is a lovely sunny day it is still pretty cold, especailly compared to Hong Kong! I dipped my feet in the sea and screamed! It wasn't very busy down there but there were still quite a few people laying on the beach and it seems like a lovely chilled out area. I think I may stay here when I come back in October.

All I saw of Sydney last night was the hostel bar so, I saw it properly today and it was very strange. After living in Hong Kong and only travelling in Asia before, it is just like being in London or something but with sun and hotter people! Its strange seeing western people everywhere and knowing that everyone speaks English.

I have just had dinner and now off to the bar for a couple of drinks. I fly to Auckland tomorrow so have to be up at 6.30am to get my flight. I'm excited to be going to New Zealand as I was speaking to a few people who have just been but Im also excited to come back to Sydeny and Australia after!

xxx

Getting ready!

I leave tomorrow for my travels and have been trying to pack my backpack today. This was very difficult as I went out for drinks after my last day at work and got in at 7am this morning! Hungover packing is not easy! It is now packed though and feels a lot heavier than 12.5kg!

Im very excited but also starting to feel a bit emotional about leaving, I will be coming back to Hong Kong in January so dont know why! Im going out again tonight to say bye to everyone but hopefully will get in before 7 so i dont miss my flight!

My flight is to sydney but after two nights there, I'm flying straight down to Aukland to do the north and south islands Of New Zealand for three to four weeks. I will then fly back up to Cairns in Australia to travel the east coast down to sydeny to catch my flight back to HK. I will only be in HK for a night or so before I catch the train to Beijing and meet Ben and Jen to do the Trans Siberian train through Mongolia and Russia! I will try and do some other countries in Europe before going back home to England for Christmas. Thats the plan anyway!

Let the adventure begin!!

xxxx