North Island - rain

Well I have heard from Tom in Cape Kidnappers that he is away picking fruit or something so I have skipped that and drove to Lake Taupo. Didn't see much there as the rain and low cloud obscured the lake completely. Went to the Craters of the moon which wasn't terribly exciting, but there were boiling mud pools and steaming, erm....steam holes. Then it started raining again so I dedcided to head on up. I got to lake Rotarura. Saw som Maori village and their tourism - I mean culture. But I did get to see a little bit of haka which was pretty good and probably made up for the rest of the stop. Also saw a Geyser going off which was ok. I sat and watched it for at least 20 minutes as it heated the stones that I was sat on so was pretty to watch and nice and warm. Then guess what - more rain - so I carried on and drove round the Coromandel Peninsular which was nice, between the rainstorms.

I then ended up driving through Auckland as I wanted to get to the Bay of Islands - man what a shit hole that is. took me abso-fuckin-lutely ages to get past there and for a moment, I thought that I was on the M25. And when I say moment, don't let the brevity of the word do the goddamn wait any injustice. So I decided to not go in or bother looking at Auckland on the way back either.

Anyway once I got to the Bay of Islands most of the wrongs of the North Island were righted (apart from Auckland) Glorious weather, sunbathing, smoothies, scuba diving. Man it was all great and I ended up staying there for 3 days. Went for a dive on the Rainbow warrior which was the greenpeace boat sunk by Ze Frogs. Actually swam through a cabin and out of the escape hatch at the top of the cabin. Was really, really good - was at 26m and was breathing too much as well as I was worried about getting my hoses tangled so was only a 30 min dive before I had to head on upwards. Was really cool though, really good visibility, loads of bug eyed fish in the cabins and no skeletons so that was all good. Then we were on a deserted Island for lunch then off to another dive site - just a reef dive this time and only to 15M. The dive guide had the fish eating out of his hand though which was pretty amazing to see them doing that.

Sadly then I had to leave after that to the god forsaken hell hole that is Auckland and I am currently residing in Auckland airport after dropping of my hire car from 6 in the evening until 8 in the morning when myflight to Sydney leaves. Then I have the joys of waiting in that airport until 6 in the evening for my flight to Bangkok. Oh well - could be worse I guess. This computer is free though so wooooooo. But you can't plug anything in it so no more pictures until Thailand I'm afraid.

Anyway, gotta go this waiting won't do it by itself - oh wait yes it will....But I'm bored of standing here so ta ta.

Oh yes and while I remember, just to let you know that the fire brigade have delayed my training until July/August - dull dull. But it does mean that I can spend more time here and will be able to stay until money runs out rather than being recalled - then I'll have some enjoyable temping work to do w00t - bring on Britain, I can hardly wait..............