| 17th Drove to Picton and all the commoners got on the ferry. But 7 of us decided to fly, (for $9 extra)! So we took off in a tiny cessna - the views were pretty good of the Cook Straits and the tips of both islands. It was over in 20 mins. Checked into the YHA in Wellington, then sat on email for a bit. I called Debs and arranged to meet her later. Hooked up with Debs and Melissa for some food and beers. We went to the Vespa lounge for some beers, its a really classy place. They both left but it was really nice to chat to them both again. We then headed to Molly Malones to listen to some tradtional music. Headed home at 1ish. 18th Taupo Drove to Taupo through some scenic countryside. Stopped to get some photo's of the Volcano's in Tongararo national park and have a snowball fight. (one of them was used as Mount Doom in Lord of the Rings!). Checked into the worst hostel ever in Taupo, TCB. Its very small and the kitchen has one knife and a fork... We headed to the cinema to see Minority report - pretty good, with some great futuristic visions! 19th The Tongariro crossing was cancelled as the snow was too deep, so we (Andrew and Helen) decided to walk to the Huka falls at 8am in the frost and cold. Left Liz lying in the warm hostel. Really nice walk up there - then Helen and I walked back for 11.30. We were quite tired from all this hard work. Had some brunch then played some mini golf...I never realised how bad I was at golf! Bought some wine and sat drinking it in the room before heading to the Holy cow. Its always fun there and I chatted to some scary locals as well as some others. Left there at 3ish... 20th The dream is over... Drove back to Auckland via Rotorua. Arrived at 4ish and met Rob (guy I travelled with in S America). Went downstairs to the Globe to watch the rubgy, which was an ace game and then chatted until 12 when tiredness took over. 21st Sunny days Not doing much today, mainly sorting out stuff ready for my flight in the morning to Sydney... I have enjoyed NZ a lot, but its rather annoying that the weather has not been so great! 22nd Farewell... Hung around all morning and then met Rob who drove me to the airport. Jumped on the plane and I was off to the big country. The photo below was taken on my last morning in Auckland...minutes later Liz (pictured) burst into tears... |
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