We arrived in New Zealand on 4th August after leaving Chile on 2nd and 
crossing over the international date line. After sleeping off a bit of the jet lag we met up with Sian who we had originally met in San Francisco and headed for the Minus 5 (ice bar). When we got there we were told that no photography was allowed inside the bar but of course Ivor has to break the rule so ended up having the camera confiscated by the very grumpy barmaid. Managed to get it back though and get a few snaps...then a few more drinks in Auckland.
Next day we picked up the car we'd hired and Sian and headed for some hot springs just outside the city. Following day it was off to Rotorua. Dropped Sian in Hamilton on the way through and after a cuppa with her headed on down to the stink! Checked into hostel and headed for the Polynesian Pools and as was the case before, there was me, Ivor and about a million Japanese people! They can't get enough of that place! There's literally bus loads of them. It's been good preparation for Japan! Next day we went to Hell's Gate, one of the most active geothe
rmal areas of Rotorua. There we had a mud bath which was followed by a freezing cold shower! A most definite form of torture! After the mud bath whilst sat in the sulphur pool we met a very interesting character by the name of John Pridmore - google him. Turns out he's an ex East London gangster who now lives in Carrick - on -Shannon (where Ivor's family have a holiday home) and has written a book.
He gave us a signed copy of the book in return for Ivor's Dad's phone number so that he could contact him about parts for his boat! It was agreed I could read the book first and well, it's been somewhat of a bizarre read! I'll be really interested to see Ivor's reaction when he reads it but basically he has now become a really strict Catholic and goes round preaching or (evangilising as he calls it). I've not completely finished the book yet but it's been weird enough reading an autobiography of someone you've met and someone who you met in a mud bath but someone who has converted from an East London gangster to a preacher is somewhat bizarre...that's the only word I can think of to describe it! I'll get Ivor let you know his thoughts when he'd read it.
After our encounter with the gangster in the mud bath it was off to Wellington to stay with Lesley and Steve (thanks again guys). First night there we ate amazing pizza from a 
place called Hell. We had wondered who would want to eat their dinner in hell but it turns out us...cashews on a pizza, I can highly recommend. Had a few drinks and watched some dubious but highly amusing ozzie films. Next day consisted of shoe shopping (I only had flip flops with me - wishful thinking or what?!) and a v lazy day watching tv with Steve for Ivor. Saturday night we went out with Lesley, Steve and some of their friends and Sian came along too. After an evening of drinking it was topped evening off with a v dodgy $10 chinese which everyone thought was horrible...I didn't!
Sunday, we were very energetic and headed out to the coast where there are seals living in the wild. It was absolutely stunning and such a clear day that we could see right the way over to the South Island.
Needless to say Ivor was doing his David Bellamy impression and nearly got attacked by one of the seals when he got too close to it to take it's picture. Rather amusing for Steve who was the only one who witnessed it!Gutted! After our 3 hour round trip walk to see the seals it was off to a Malaysian for a take away and a quiet night back at Lesley and Steve's. Our last day in Wellington was spent finding out about malaria tablets which we can now confidently say are EXPENSIVE and a necessary evil.
We then drove to Mt Ruapehu a volcano which is now a ski resort. It was great weather as it was getting dusk when we arrived there but absolutely torrential rain as we set off the next day
for Auckland! Pretty tough drive through winding country roads and really poor visability most of the time but we made a stop in Rotorua for lunch and to get some mud creams for me! Then it was on to Auckland for fish and chips on Mt Eden overlooking the city. The fish and chips did not disappoint as we had always said they were the best in the world and the view is still as fantastic as it was. Our last couple of days back in Auckland we basically did nothing and just enjoyed doing nothing before flying to Melbourne.
