Hi there.

It's now Thursday and we're in Rotarua. Here's a quick update on what we've been up to.

Once we arrived in Auckland and transferred to our hotel, we quickly got ready and walked down to the harbour. We had a relax looking around and a little sit in a harbour bar. We then strolled back to the hotel and had a little rest prior to enjoying a meal as a big group in the hotel restaurant. After this I had a couple of drinks but I thinbk everyone went to bed by 10.00pm as we were very tired.

However we were up bright and early next day as our coach left at 9.00am for a tour of Auckland. We went up the highest point of the city which is Mount Eden and took in the lovely views. We then drove around various places arond the coast and stopped in a place called Mission Bay before visiting the museum. We then returned to the hotel.

Once again it was to have a quick refresh and then I was one of a group of 4 who caught a ferry to a lovely island called Devonport. We had a stroll around and something to eat before returning to the hotel.

On Wednesday morning we left Aukland and headed for Rotarua. On the way we visited the Waitomo caves and had a trip on a boat to see glow worms which live on the ceiling of the caves. This was magical but I can't share this with you as we were not allowed to take photos.

We then continued on to Rotarua where I enjoyed a fantastic flight over the lakes and volcanoes of the area. Not all of the group went on this and I ended up on what is known as the small plane with 3 others. I think this worked to our advantage as we could very easily see out of both sides of the plane. If everything works OK with the photos you'll see the crater of Mt. Tarawera(Burnt Spear) which last erupted in 1886. All of this was absolutely stunning.

We then transferred to the hotel which is very close to a place imaginatively entitled Sulphur Point. For once I'm glad that I don't have a good sense of smell but the others are saying that you get used to it.

On Thursday, which is today we went to see a geyser and mudpools etc at a place called Te Puia.(In NZ they pronounce geyser to rhyme with tizer rather than teaser). We were shown round by a maoiri guide who was excellent. Informative and amusing. I hope the photo I've attached gives an idea of how amazing the place is.Some free time now before we enjoy a meal at the hotel tohight which is cooked in the maori style of digging a hole; filling it with white hot stones; putting the food in baskets amongst the stones and then covering it over with earth to steam cook it. This is called "hangi". We will then watch a traditional maori dance/celebration.

After we leave here we'll be doing a series of one night stays so I may not be able to update you for a few days.

Bye for now.