A Very Late Blog Entry!

Auckland

So we arrived back in Auckland for the night and I believe my timing was impecible as it was wet t-shirt competition night! I managed to check myself back into 204 with the boys.
After sorting out my washing and everything we mad our plan for the night. Free meal at half 7, drinking on the roof until 10 then down to the bar for one wet and wild night. For some unknown reason a few us decided we would go out dressed quite smart but fuck did we dress to impress! It was great to suprise the lads and have a proper last night out together before I left for possibly not seeing most of them again.

Mercury Bay

I actually don't think I slept at all the night before and got on the bus still pretty drunk which was fun... not.
We did the usual touristy visit up Mt. Eden before heading out of Auckland towards Mercury Bay in the Coromandel Peninsula. Our driver Murray was pretty cool and had us doing musical chairs so we got to know people on the bus. this basically just involved us talking to another person for the duration of a song then the people in the aisle moving up/down a seat.
The tide was high so we couldn't visit the famous hot water beach so we just cruised straight on the Cathedral Cove. Luckily the sun was shining again and after a long walk down to the beach, we saw why it was worth the effort. We were surrounded by White cliffs with random caves and walkways eroded through the middle of them. There was a rock in the middle of the bay which we all jumped off, standard. That night we stayed at a really cool little backpackers called Turtle Cove. It was run by a really laid back old couple. We finally got a nice mattress to sleep on and luckily
for me after a mix up at reception (them thinking me and emily were a couple) I got a nice double bed just for me to sleep in! We had a few drinks that night but the fact I hadnt had much sleep caught up with me and retired to bed about 9.

Rotorua

We were up bright and early in the morning to make sure we could fit everything we wanted to do in for the day. First stop was the Karangahake tunnels through the mountains. This was a short walk through were the early miners used cyanide to get to gold. It was kinda cool crossing the swing bridges and walking along pitch black tunnels with a few glow worms dotted around. Back on the bus and after an hour or so
we reached Matamata also known as Hobbiton. A short walk from the township was were Peter Jackson filmed the scenes from the shire. Unfortunately we didn't have time to see this but we got some pictures with Gollum.
Next stop was Rotorua. The city is smack bang on a tetonic plate fault line so there was plenty of geothermal activity which was cool to look at but it did leave a nasty stench throughout the whole city!
That afternoon most of the bus went up the gondola to do some lugeing. We each got 5 rides and gave ourselves 3 rides each to get used to the courses and steering before racing down the intermediate circuit.
There were some accidents including Eric our californian friend neary up ending an asian woman. Hayley crashing out spectacularly and Luke losing his helmet on the gondola back up which was a good laugh.
That night we nominated Eric as the cheif of our tribe as we were going to a Moari village show and needed a chief to represent us. We were greeted as all strangers were, by their haka and then shown through the village.
We were then treated to some maori song, dance and games before sitting down to a massive feed and shown how they cook their food. When we got back to the hostel we put on our glad rags and headed to the Lava Bar next door for a boogie. It was a funny night and a good way for all of us to get to know eachother.

Waitomo

We set off at a decent time in the morning to go see a farm style comedy show just down the road. It was actually quite funny and interesting. We got to see some sheep sheering and cow milking. The guy was basically just taking the piss out of all the aussies and koreans that were there aswell. After the show we stopped off at Agroventures next door. It had a mimic of a freefall, bunjee jump, bunjee swing, some sort of bike race and a jet power boat ride.
All of us were a little too hanging to attempt any of the activities but it was definately something I would quite like to do at some point.
We then stopped off Otorohanga, which is a small township just outside Waitomo. This was just a small food shop as all there is in Waitomo is 2 caving companies, a backpackers hostel, 5 houses and a bar.
Most of us checked in and then went off to do some caving. I and most of the others did the 3 and a half hour tubing down the caves. This was really cool, walking through the caves and going down some jumps on our rubber tubes. We stopped several times to turn off our lights and look up at the glow worms which unlike before were extremely impressive. There were thousands of them in the caves and set a good lights show. That night we were treated to a big fat steak dinner at Curly's bar just down the road from the hostel.

Taupo

After setting off in the morning for Taupo we stopped off for a little walk through the bush and caves to one of tallest trees in New Zealand, this was kind of impressive but after seeing Tanai Mahuta (the kauri tree) it wasnt that impressive.
We arrived in Taupo and headed straight for the airport to see if we could do our skydive but unfortunately the weather wouldn't permit this so some of us booked ourselves in for the morning and others later in the afternoon after their walk up Mt. Doom.
I wasn't too fussed about the 20km walk as im not much of a walker and if it's that good I can always do it at some other point. We didn't really do much that night and just retired to bed after going the supermarket and cooking a feed for 8 of us.
This morning was the morning of the most breathtaking, thrill seeking and biggest adrenaline rushing activity I've ever done... Sky diving from 15,000 ft (16,500 ft above sea level). I payed for the full monty which includes the 15,000 ft dive itself, dvd of the people on the plane diving, photos of myself, and the handycam dvd which was being held by the guy supporting me and more importantly carrying the parachute.
I wasn't too scared at all until I got to the edge of the plane and had my feet dangling out the side. After a few moments looking out into the mass of open air and the huge drop beneath me we flopped out the plane and plumeted towards the ground.
There was a minute of freefalling before the parachute was deployed. Words can't really explain the feeling you get because your brain doesnt quite register whats happening so you just feel like your flying and can have fun with it.
After everyone had got back from their activities they were doing, we went down to the bar for free pizza and start drinking. After the pizza we all went back to the rooms to start getting getting ready. Me, Eric, Luke, Adam, Emily, Aimie and Laura
just found ourselves drinking in Eric's room for hours, we were just talking and messing around before we went down to the bar. Everyone down their was smashed so I had some catching up to do... roll on jaegerbombs! I don't think I have ever drank so many in such a short space of time in my life! Strawpedos were next up and finally after a good hour or so I was at the same point as everyone else, except Laura who when I asked how much she had had to drink, she replied with "Gin".
It was a good night, with good music and good banter but everyone could see that there was alot of hormones flying off the walls, should be an interesting journey from here on out.

Taupo to River Valley

We woke up bright and early in the morning (after about 2 hours sleep for moi) and went on our way towards River Valley situated next to the Rangitikei river. We stopped off at our first stop for some brunch and a walk at where 'The Shining' was filmed.
The walk had Mt. Doom as its background which was pretty cool. There was a sweet waterfall half way around the walk so there was time to pause and take pictures and naked pictures, quite fun really. We got back on the bus and drove for another hour before reaching Tawhai Falls. This is where Gollum was filmed catching a fish and is known as Gollum's pool. There was a pretty cool jump you could do into the waterfall with a drop of about 12ft, there were some really cool pictures taken of us jumping into it, and our faces when we got out! We arrived at River Valley about 6 which gave us an hour and a half before our roast dinner so we could check in and get settled. There were 2 options, the 6 bed dorms or the 32 bed dorms. We chose the 6 bed dorm but after checking in, me and luke desperately wanted to be in the 32 bed.
It was so cool! there were 4 rows of 8 beds in the middle of the room. 2 rows on top, 2 rows underneath with the the 2 top rows back to back and the same with the bottom 2.
There was a major fuck up with the dinner. After a miscommunication on the bus, me and luke found out we wernt down for the roast dinner. Our faces were a picture of pure devastation. Neither of us had anything else to eat and had been looking forward to the roast all. Purposely not eating much so we could have a massive feed. Eric came to rescue for Luke. It was something out of the movies. He put his own hunger aside and gave up his meal for Luke as an early birthday present. Eric truely was the chief of our tribe. I had managed to blag myself left overs but they were just roast beef, sweet potatoes and veg (I don't eat sweet potatoes and very little veg). The whole situation had made things awkward in our room. Me and Luke were blaming the girls a fair bit about lack of dinner. After the meal we played a few games in the dining room/lounge, first off was the table game, where you had
to pull yourself under the table and back up the otherside. Easier said than done. Only 3 people managed to pull it off. I could swing myself around to the otherside but just couldn't get my feet or hand positioning right. Very Annoying. The next game was one where you had to keep yourself on a chair whilst clambering around it, picking up a box of matches and coming back the way you came to finally sitting back down on the chair. Only 4 people in the history of the lodge had pulled it off! no one from out group did.
Eric then pulled out a few more drinking games before we all retired to bed about 11. 12.01 came and we all woke Luke up for his birthday by giving him a massive pile on!

River Valley to Wellington

Today was the day most of us went white water rafting down the river. The rafting took about 2-3 hours down grade 3-5 rapids. Alot of hard work and teamwork was needed to get safely but it was so worth it. We had a good boat to go down with (Me, Jack, Luke and Adam) but once got used to it when started mucking around and taking the piss which to be honest made the whole day alot more fun. For example we decided when anyone goes overboard, when get back up they needed to be spanked for their indispline but that was taken to a different level (I'll let you work that out).
After the rafting, we all had minor injuries to nurse and a hungry stomach to fill so we grabbed a quick feed before jumping on the bus to go to Wellington. We only stopped off a couple of times for food as the journey was going to take all day. We got to Wellington about 7 giving us an hour or so to get ready before
we started Luke's birthday festivities! We started drinking in the room about half 8 until 11. I'm not going to lie to you, I was fucked before we even left the room, that is just what Vodka and ring of fire do to me. I do recall being the last to get ready out of the 28 people we had in our room (which was a 6 bed room)
I know this fact as I was on top of my bunk bed in just my boxers while everyone else was fully clothed. Now I don't remember leaving the room so I will try and peice together the night. Aparantly we left the room to go downstairs to the Basement Bar. In here was where Adam bought 60 jaegerbombs (2 each), Tash got kicked out for stealing a bottle of Gin from behind the bar and there was kissing thrown in their aswell (guilty). Emily had basically come out saying she likes me, which made for a very awkward conversation (I have been told since then that I didn't quite explain myself properly and she hasn't got my point)
We left there and walk around the corner to another bar. Becky couldn't get in so we went to bar next door for a few drinks in there (not that I needed any more). Somehow we all managed to reunite in a bar called Establishment.
There was a band playing for a while then the DJ kicked in. Tonight it seemed like everyone had paired off with someone for the evening (me and luke had foretold this was going to happen, ages ago) Eventually we got kicked out about 6 and went back to our rooms. More stories came out about the evening the next day but some should
not be wrote down.
The next day was a complete write off. Everyone was dying and trying to remember what happened the night before. Me and the boys took a stroll down to the museum but left after an hour to sit and chill down at the waterfront. We got back and decided that today was man day. Ruined within the hour. Aimie and Emily had invited themselves into our rooms and collapsed on our beds, leaving me and luke quite pissed off. They eventually left and we got some sleep. Tash, Georgia, Jess and Lexy were going out again that night but didn't leave our room till about half 1 and came back about 4 (pointless or what). In that time though we were given a mission to build a fort in our room.
The fun we had doing this was unbelievable. It was the best fort ever. Held together by bunkbeds, paper bags, headphones and other leads. Georgia had been put to bed in the recovery position she was that fucked.

Wellington to Nelson

We had to be downstairs at 7, which wouldn't have been too bad but we had a fort to work with. We were late downstairs but it wasn't a problem. I was greeted by a still very drunk Georgia jumping on me and stealing my hat. This was met by a massive glare from Emily (this was the first of many!) I was basically forced to sit next to G which wouldn't have been a problem, if sitting next to her didn't resemble sitting next to a child. She jumping all over me and basically being a child, it was kinda funny though. We had to say goodbye to our chief Eric which quite sad aswell, he will be missed on the bus.
We got on the massive inter-island ferry with a 3 hour journey ahead of us. Me and the boys had a quick look around the ferry before meeting up with tash and the girls in the food court and passing our for 2 hours on the tables. We woke up and got onto the bus for Nelson. G was still drunk (it was now about 2pm) We checked into our hotel and got our rooms sorted. That evening there was rugby on and a roast dinner (me and luke decided not to let the girls do our bookings and didn't want to be in their rooms) Aparantly it was getting quite obvious that we didn't want to no anymore, ah well. Most of us watched Saving Private Ryan in the TV room before bed. I lay on the floor with Tash and G as there was nowhere to sit. This was greeted by another glare. It was getting ridiculous now, literally every time I would be talking to a girl I was getting a look of death.
The next day we didn't really do much. Me, Luke and Jack went down to the supermarket, came back, cooked some food, passed out for 2 hours (My bolognese must be funny as I was tripping out. I woke up at half 5 thinking I had been talking to the girls despite them not being back from their day trip)
We decided to go to the cinema to watch Dear John that evening. Me and the girls left early to get sweets from the supermarket and get our tickets early. There 5 seats in the middle so we booked them, sat down and waited for the film to begin. Everyone else came in a few minutes after us and sat down a couple of rows infront.
I don't think Em was too happy to see me sat next to tash and g again but thats how it happen. Atleast I think she wasn't happy but im not sure if glares have 2 meanings. The film was good until the last half hour and left us all abit unsatisfied. After getting back to the hostel me, jack, luke and the girls chilled outside til the wee hours telling stories from back home and telling eachother riddles.

Hello Kiwi Experience Bus

Tuesday morning, bright and early, me and em jumped on the kiwi bus up north to the Bay Of Islands. We pretty much just slept on the bus and booked our activity which was swimming with dolphins Wednesday afternoon. We only stopped a couple of times which was in Whangerei and a Cafe to get some food along the way.
We were staying in the Pipi Patch in Paihia again. Unfortunately the weather wasn't as good this time round so me and em just stayed in the room until it cleared up abit so we could walk to the supermarket. That night we had the BBQ and as I feared Bex who I kind of stood up the last time I was here was cooking it. I was supposed to go down to reception the morning I was leaving last time I was here, to get a job and she was getting up purely to give me a reference. She seemed a little annoyed when she saw me but that was understandable. The food was quite nice and we stayed for the pub quiz afterwards where we came last despite actually having more points than the team next to us but the quizmaster was pissed though haha.
We woke up this morning to glorious sunshine and looking forward to the dolphin watching. After about an hour of cruising around the Islands in the bay we came across a pod of about 10 dolphins and were allowed to swim with them.
They get bored really easily so wern't around us for long but luckily I managed to get right up close and personal (arms length away) twice and the second time, I could hear them singing as they swam past. It was such a sureal experience but I loved it. Tonight we just made a dodgy stir-fry and retired to the room to watch yet another movie. We leave 3pm for Auckland tomorrow so we're just going to go on a short walk and chill the whole day until we have to get the bsus.

1 week in Auckland

Tuesday I just chilled out really on the sun deck catching the rays with a little hot tub session thrown in there. There was free food and beer down at cassette so i folded on the sober front and justified it as only drinking 3 times a week now.
It was a quality night to be honest, got 2 free beers with the code word "vibrator bunny" and free nachos. Left to go back to fusion for happy hour and got chatting with a few people and persuaded them to come back to cassette. I didnt get too drunk and just danced the night away with my mates and a couple of girls, standard.
Wednesday, me and Gerry made pizza and again just chilled out all day. The lads from the room went out so It was just a quiet night in the room, watched a couple of movies and went to bed.
Thursday was the beach trip, there was abit of a crew that went down there. the sun was scorching so we got a game of touch rugby on the go and retired back to the hostel.
Friday i went out to the west coast again but this time to hethbells, the weather was gorgeous and we stopped off to see another kauri tree in the wildlife reserve then onto a waterfall. I got a bit drunk on the bus (as did everyone else) and decided that the best course of action would to get into naked drunk mode which involved jumping into waterfalls naked and walking round with my arse out. standard. the bunch of people we had going was a good mix. Met some really nice canadians and americans out there and promised to meet up with them in sydney.
Saturday morning I went down to travel shop with Emily whos now staying in our room to book the same kiwi pass as her so I could get my travels under way. It was a spur of the moment thing half way through drinking games in the room the night before. We leave Tuesday for the bay of islands and I cant wait! Afterwards we went the rugby and unfortunately the Blues lost but that meant lots of drinking would follow!
Me and Gerry for no reason what so ever decided to go out in the girls clothes (standby for some good photos on facebook!) It was a funny night and we only went to Fusion and Cassette but the looks we were getting was hilarious!
Today, Me and Emily just chilled out with Livvy her friend from back home. We went to the park for abit but Livvy had to leave as she flies out to Brisbane tomorrow.
Mine and Emily's last night before we travel was pretty mild in comparison to most nights, we just watched a movie and went to bed.

Easter

The past week hasnt been too eventful during the days. I went back to Waiheke Island again for the day on Tuesday and drink filled! which was nice then Friday we went to Piha Beach stopping off at sacred maori waterfall where the waters full of nutrients so they used to bath there after battle to help heal wounds. I can't imagine them staying in long as its fucking freezing! But I was in there with just my boxers on which couldnt have helped. Saturday I went to watch the Blues vs Bulls Super 14 game. I think I'm beginning to be a lucky charm for the Blues as they won against another team they were expected to lose to!
Now for the nights out...
Well I think I didn't drink on a couple of nights. One night I went out with Matt, Dave, Anna and a couple of their mates. Anna got too drunk for us to be allowed in anywhere so we just went back to the hostel to chill out.
For Easter everywhere closed at midnight on Thursday for Good Friday so we grabbed a shed load of booze and went up to the roof to drink in the jacuzzi until reception found out and kicked us all out and back to our rooms!
Friday night, Me, Lewis, Jason, Sharon, Raks, Leanne and Chris went to a flat party. Thinking it was going to be massive we all thought we would play a game where we all had alias's and a different back story and we had to try and hold it all night. We all met in Vegas where Lewis was playing poker and it just grew from there. We all pulled it off which was hilarious, especially considering I was a hobbit, there was a hotel manager, professional poker player, winemaker, stripper, backstreet boys cover band and all sorts.
Saturday was fairly mild in comparison. After the rugby I met everyone up in the kitchen. The welsh boys were back and we kinda got a bit rowdy, jumping onto the kitchen top singing anti-german songs all night, ooops.
Its Monday today and im starting a sober week and gymming it hard before I start travelling properly which I'm hoping will be just over a week away. Carly left this morning which was a downer as shes been a good friend and a great laugh in the few weeks I've known but hey, gotta get used to leaving people behind, I've got 2 years of it to do!