Yha Tauranga

... Dave. It rained all day yesterday so we just sat around and watched about 4 films in the tv room. Today the weather was a lot better so we took a stroll around town and down to the beach. We'll be happy to leave tomorrow as the hostel were staying in is full of strange characters and apparently there was an incident between 2 guests which involved a knife a few nights back!? We're off out to see the new Star Trek film now, Rach has been waiting for ages to see this!!!

... and ferns like sunk feathers. Black baby muscles sprout in clusters. I never really thought about how muscles grow... it would seems they push out of the rock like birds from eggshells, little black beaks all squished together. Over the rocks you come to a beach made entirely of sea shells. You can't even walk on it barefoot, lest the broken edges dig into you . Beyond that is the green slope of Mt Maunganui, with benches and trees and a path for runners and ...

... made it all seem a bit intimidating at first - visions of being flung out of the boat and getting my foot trapped in a rock as the rapids roared around my head came to mind - but it actually wasn't too scary and was really exhilarating - I'd definitely recommend it and do it again if I got the chance. Also when Stu saw the photos he claims me and Flooze spent the whole time in the safety 'tucked-in' position  (which I dispute of course) but maybe I'd be a little braver and ...

... walking in the industry park in Singapore. The foot of the mountain laid a beach town, people enjoying breakfast and jogging along the beautiful coastline. I took my breakfast and lots of coke before the climb. It was a hot day, the initial climb was not that bad but with no nature shelter until you get about half way up. This climb seems to be the most tiring so far due to the sun ...

We got a lift down to Rotorua with Stuart and Anne as they were headed down to Napier and the East for a road trip for a few days, to the area which just happens by strange coincidence to be wine country. We checked into the Central backpackers for a night which was OK, and went straight out to look around. We got lunch and went to eat it at the lake, but the part we headed to happened to be Sulphur Bay ...

... told them not to tell anyone about it. They thought their meeting was completely random, crazy, but were still willing to give the newly drawn map a chance. After driving several hours north to outside of Rotarua they used the map to find the fabled swimming hole. Andy and Greg spent several days there camping and cleared away parts of the trail. A few months later they happened to meet the same guy randomly while dropping off the Belcaster's kids at ...

... several years and before that he used to be a logging truck driver. He doesn't have an address as he lives in the various hostiles around the country and he seems to really enjoy his lifestyle because he gets to meet new people all of the time. After leaving the station, we went to pick up 7 other people who would be traveling with us for the day. There were two people from Ireland (Owen and Laura), four people from the UK (I don't remember their names but ...

... of touring to begin! We'll be going to different towns or cities for a few days at a time and doing different activities (hopefully bungee jumping!). Then De's parents come mid October, so I'll be on my own to either keep touring or start up work again. I'm looking forward to orchard work. Being outside, getting a tan, making money, AND being around people! These solitary jobs suck! So, I'll be sure to keep this as updated as possible. Peace out!!!!

... Island yet! Tauranga is a big city, we drove into town, had our obligitory pool and beer and Dean and Lee Camped on the beach while me and Edd slept in the Van - worked out much better than the previous night but we are not eating well - any more pot noodles, soup or pasta and I will go crazy! Im getting on with everyone pretty well, some better than others but it is all working out better than expected so far - lets hope it continues!

... Tuesday down in Hastings near Napier.





Apart from sun tanning, we did not really get too active. The only more energetic activity we did for a few days was blokarting, Julien's new favourite sport. You drive around a course in a small kart that has a big sail, going up to 90km/h (we didn't reach that kind of speed fortunately, 30km/h seemed quite fast already). Jo drove like a woman she is and flipped the ...