Auckland

We flew to Auckland and grabbed the airport shuttle into town, our friends Chris and Donnelle had very kindly arranged for us to stay in a swanky hotel & casino - Sky City. Getting off the plane I realised I had lost my sunglasses (pair number 2!!) I was super upset esp. as you need them everyday and I would have to go out and look for yet another pair.

When we checked into our gorgeous room, we decided to have a quick look around the casino and then wander around the town... it was quiet which was surprising as its the capital! Given how nice our room was we decided we would stay in and watch TV (a luxury for us) so we grabbed some beer and snacks and then ordered a pizza - we were in heaven. Ryan then popped out for a couple of hours to try his hand at roulette while I enjoyed the king sized bed and a remote control.

Next day Chris and Donnelle picked us up and we headed north to Goat bay and island to go snorkeling, however it was so rough we couldn't risk it. So we went to another couple of beautiful beaches and then had a picnic lunch they had prepared.

After lunch and another couple of beaches, we went back into Auckland and popped into the museum to see a Maori meeting house, it was stunning and as both of our friends are half Maori it was great hearing about their history, rituals and traditions.

After the museum we went to some of the city's suburbs by the beach, which were lovely areas - so beautiful.

Chris and Donnelle had then arranged a BBQ back at her grandma's - it was fab with lamb, steak and prawns with salads.. after a few beers and a good catch up we headed back to our hostel (quite a change from the hotel the night before!!!) and said our goodbyes as we planned to head further north the next day.