Landing in New Zealand was such a surreal moment. I couldn't believe I was actually there and doing it. Visiting an old friend I'd not seen for over 5 years, half way across the world, all on my own! 

Dale met me at the airport and he'd said when I come out the gates to turn right - so I turned left. He never let me live that down for the whole holiday! 

I thought it might be a tad weird seeing Dale after all these years - but it wasn’t, he was as awesome as ever, and I was just so grateful and will forever be in his debt for the kindness and hospitality he and his family and friends showed me during those three weeks. Occasionally, in my opinion, it felt like we’d never been apart at some points throughout the holiday. He even got me a can of Irn Bru as a 'welcome to New Zealand present'  - he knows me so well! 

After picking me up, he took me on a mini drive through Tauranga, and we saw the Stargate portal! (it wasn’t the Stargate portal is was some metal scenic circle thing near the gold mines that looked like the Stargate portal!) Then we got fish and chips - and went to his folks house. 

I struggled to eat the the fish and chips as I felt sick, think it was from all the travelling and not drinking enough on the plane through fear of needing a wee! 

Dale's Dads house is in Welcome Bay, and it’s amazing! They’ve designed and built it themselves and it is just perfect. They have their own swimming pool in the garden, a hot tub, a massive log fire place for when it’s winter, and open plan kitchen lounge with a separate 'movie snug' room, a gorgeous guest bedroom and bathroom. And the location! Oh my, it looks like the shire! So much rolling hill side to gaze upon. It was like a dream! 

I was so lucky and am still to this day so appreciative for Nigel, Christine, Moya and Chops (the dogs) letting me stay with them during my time in New Zealand. 

I could of stayed forever <3

Dale picked me up from his dads house about 10am and we went to the local shopping centre to get a NZ sim card for my phone. The shopping centre was SO small in comparison to anything we have over in the UK. 

We sat and had breakfast - I had a ham, cheese and tomato filled croissant (I can be quiet fussy with food and I'd never had a filled croissant before! but it was lovely) and then Dale gave me a little tour of the local area and showed me his house (which is also lovely, you can see the sea from his front deck!)

He lives just a short drive from the beach, so we went out to get ice creams, sun bathe and paddle in the sea  before meeting two of his close friends Sam and Dean. 

Apparently, it’s tradition to take visitors to Mount Maunganui at the bay of plenty on their first day and make them climb to the top! (232 m (761 ft)) So we did! 

It was hard work, I'm not going to lie - and I'd been training on treadmills trying to get fit for the holiday months before but I think Dale regretted the suggestion more so than I! 

The view from up there was beautiful. Definitely worth the climb! You could see a 360’ view of the whole bay! Takes about 1 hour to climb (fitness dependant).

Sam and Dean were totally lovely, I chatted a fair bit to Sam on the way up as were both designers so we had a bit in common. She told me about the sunken cargo boat that sank a few years ago, and recommended some places I should go and visit whilst there. 

That evening we went to the local supermarket and bought a few supplies. I found the supermarkets odd - and it made me miss ours – weird I know, but as I said I'm fussy with food and it just had no order to it so was really hard to find things! The English isle was hilarious!! had like cherry coke, Irn Bru, a tin of haggis and fray bentos pies! 

I settled for a smoked salmon, cream cheese bagel (obviously) and we made our way back to Dales place. I had a list of everywhere I wanted to go whilst visiting NZ, and sat and planned in what to do on what days. With Dale being quite central it worked out that majority of I wanted to do could be done on day trips which was rad as that meant less money was needed to be spent on accommodation!

We spent the majority of the morning and early afternoon searching and booking all the trips that we'd planned the night before and researched hiring a car. New Zealand, to me, is very much like how the UK used to be about 15 years ago. So before the internet, before 24hour shops, before Sunday opening hours! Which meant it was easier for us to go and see the hire car places than try and book online (old school I know!) This however meant that we got to visit the little airport of Tauranga bay that had such cute planes there and little did I know I’d be up in one similar later in the holiday! 

After all the booking was done, we went to the beach for a few hours. I love the beach! And then Dale really wanted to go see Robocop, so we went to the Cinema! It was at this point I realised I loved driving around in Dales Car! It was bright red so it just suited me! We ordered Pizza and went back to his Dads - I’ve never eaten so much take out in my life haha! 

The evening ended with an AMAZING Hot tub session under the stars, it was beautiful! I’ve never seen stars so bright before! Orion’s belt was as clear as day! You could see Meissa, Betelgeuse, Bellatrix, Mintaka, Alnilam, Alnitak, Saiph and Rigel - and the little one out the left where his ‘hand’ would be holding the 'lion’ or 'bow’. And I saw a star cluster, which I’ve never seen before! It was amazing!

I've always loved the 'surfer' look (same as the 'skateboard' look), so I thought what a better time to have a go at surfing than in the crystal clear warm waters of New Zealand?? 

 

It ended up being one on one tuition, which was awesome! And the guy was originally from Southampton! Small world! (I was born next door, and have family down there) And he said he’d been surfing in the freezing waters of Canada recently! - rather him than me! He was a nice chap though, made me draw a surf board in the sand, and felt like a fool doing the ‘surfer pose’ but it was all good fun and I even managed to catch a wave and stand on the board! - Ok it was for like 2 seconds before I fell off! but with practice I recon I could get it down! Hardest part was the salt water and eyeliner running into my eyes making them sting like a bitch! I also hurt my hand and foot quite badly, not sure what it was - it was like a graze under the skin, no skin was torn, but it was bright red and rash like - some say it looked like a rash from the board and others a small jelly fish sort of sting - all I know is friggin hurt when I put my hand or foot in any sort of water for days after!

During my surf lesson, Dale had a business meeting with his boss/best friend, on the beach, drinking beer - sounds like my kind of business meeting! but anyway - I met them after - surf hair and all - and we walked around the beach, and had ice cream I had one called Hokey-Pokey - it was delicious! 

That evening we went for a drive to go and see the Glow worms at Mclarin Falls - or what I’ve re named it 'The Enchanted forest where stars are on the earth'

The gates for the park shut and close at 19:30, and we got there at 20.30 - as its not properly dark until about 21:00! So we kiiiiiind of had to sneak/break in through the gate! I absolutely loved the glow worms! They are just so magical and beautiful! I could of stayed there all night!

On the walk round we met some people from Nottingham/Derby! again - small world! We got chatting, and they recommended a nice hot water beach for us to go to, as I mentioned I hadn’t got time for the Coromandel.

After we went back to Dales and because it was late we had New Zealand’s equivalent of 'pot noodles’ they’re more like 'supernoodles’ but in a tub like Pot noodles! VERY TASTY THOUGH! I got dale to post me some back haha!

Today was an early start as we got up at 5.30am to drive to Lake Taupo in Waikato, which is apx 2 hours from Tauranga (where Dale lives) for the Kayaking to see the Māori rock carvings. It was such an amazing day and one that I hope I remember forever! 

Leaving Tauranga it was warm and sunny, (it was always sunny in Tauranga!) but by the time we arrived in Taupo it was quite overcast, drizzley and very windy. So there was a high chance the trip would get canceled/delayed, but luckily for us it didn't. 

Dale had opted out of joining me on the trip (due to his bad back condition) so I went off and left dale to nap in his car (he doesn’t like early starts).

The company I booked with was xxxxxxxxxxxxxx and we met at the office/shop. The guide then drove us to the area where you enter the water, and luckily for me because it was an odd number to this tour group (just me and two others) I got paired with the tour guide in my canoe/kayak (I was a little bit nervous/anxious about my lack of kayaking experience so this made me very happy as you can imagine. He gave the other two 'the talk' on what to do if we capsized, and then looked at me and said - “don’t worry, we wont capsize!” much to my relief!! We set off and it was all calm, the sun even came out..

However the wind did not stop! And I’ve never seen waves so big before on a lake! - Just to emphasis on how bad it the conditions were, we bumped into another party with a younger tour guide, and our guide instructed them to turn back because it was too rough! Our guide nearly turned us around twice to go back, but because the guy in the other kayak/canoe did kayaking regularly and knew enough of what he was doing to be able to control it in the rough conditions and because the instructor was with me, we continued.

If I'd of been in a kayak on my own, or that guy had not of been experienced, there'd of been no chance we’d of been able to of continued, and we wouldn’t of seen the carvings!

I was a little bit nervous at times, but then I remembered I was safe, with a professional and let go and thoroughly enjoyed myself. It was so much fun and so rewarding! We were paddling over white caps like no body’s business! Getting completely soaked!! Up and down up and down! When you looked over at the other kayak/canoe sometimes only their heads were visible! it was incredible! The instructor did say to me at one point that because I had him in my kayak if I wanted a rest or to take pictures to feel free to do so - but I paddled like a mother Fu*ker! (He even commented on how good I’d done!)

We made it to the carvings and I took as many pictures as possible, some are blurry because of how much I was bopping around on the waves! But it was so worth it! We also nearly got crushed by a boat because he didn’t see us due to the waves and we had to paddle out the way rather quickly!

On the way back the waves were in our favour and we were ‘surfing’ them back! the instructor kept trying to splash me and all you could here were giggles and squeals of joy from both kayaks! Then it was all calm and we had a leisurely float to the 'picnic’ area for tea and biscuits! (so English!)

 

We learnt about the Sea dragon - Taniwha, and how the Māori’s are scared of it, and bless their boats with leafs before they travel and also the story about the the Lady of the lake who's family fled during a war, and her husband made her and thir child swim across Lake Taupo to safety, sacrificing himself, knowing that if blood is shed in the lake, the ‘attackers’ wouldn’t be able to follow as it renders the lake sacred, and therefore saving his wife and child. It is said that the mountains seen from the lake are the mother - and you can just make out her forehead and nose on the right, and then follow it to the left to her breasts and belly on the pictures bellow.

After the Kayaking, we got back to the 'shore’ and wiped all the boats out and loaded them back onto the truck - which got stuck and we had to all push it out haha!

It was an incredible experience and little adventure! I swapped contact details with the other lady hoping to get a copy of their Go Pro video! But never did.

When we arrived back at the shop, I found Dale in a bit of confusion - He’d fell asleep leaving his lights on, so his battery was flat and he needed to find a jump start! I still can't believe how nice and thoughtful Dale was for driving me all that way and waiting for me, again forever grateful as this experience is definitely one of my favourite memories ever! 

 

After Kayaking we went to see Hukka Falls, which was just beautiful and so blue! We then went to the secret thermal hot pool, which was incredible, and hot was an understatement!! Unfortunately my surf injuries meant I couldn’t enjoy it to its full capacity - and it was a tad too hot for me, which is odd because I love hot baths! 

We also tried our had at winning £10,000 on Hole in one Golf - I failed!

 

Then drove back to Tauranga, ordered Indian take away and saw some bag pipers play on the beach!

Today was another best day of my life! (I’ve had a few of those in New Zealand!)

It started off with me wearing my Shire dress, then WE WENT TO HOBBITON!!!!!!

Dale let me listen to the Hobbit soundtrack all the way there - he only lives like 45 minutes away!!I’d be there everyday if I lived that close!!

I was so excited I felt sick! and was quite worried becasue the skies were so gloomy and it started raining. BUT I used the power of positive thinking (much to Dale’s amusement!) and focused on blue skies above The Shire, and by the time we arrived we had blue skies, and the sun came out and it was glorious! 

We went in the shop first, booked our tour and I had a look around to pick out and price up what Iit was I wanted to buy after.. tottaled at about $400/£200!

Went to the toilet and the toilet roll holder even had grass over the top and shaped like a hill!!! I took a picture..

The bus picked us up and drove us in, and it was magical from the instant of stepping off the bus, it was pure bliss. So beautiful, and everything was left as if the Hobbits lived there still, spades in the grass, washing hung on the line, fruit and veg in baskets, and butterflies, oh the butterflies - they were everywhere (Real ones) Just floating and flapping around, one nearly landed on me at one point.

The lady walked us around an gave a little talk, but in all honesty I was too overwhelmed to listen and it wasn’t long before I was the straggler and dawdling behind trying to makesure I was taking enough photos of everything, and because I was using my dads camera and didn’t really understand it, I was taking two photos of everything, in two settings! Just to make sure I had a good one haha!

I got to sit in a Hobbit chair. Pretend to sell some bread, open a hobbit door and go inside, Stand on the path that Bilbo and Gandalf stood on outside Bilbo’s house, see the ‘no admittance’ Sign, and just experience the pure magic and tranquility of The Shire.

I saw the fence that Bilbo jumped! (Tried to imitate it but I had a dress and flip flops on, so just pretended) hehe, there was the marquee! and then we walked to the Green Dragon pub, it’s was unbelievably amazing!

Unfortunately there were no beer mats to steal! But I got to drink the most delicious cider!! in a little tankard! And there was beautiful bunting outside, and two roaring fires inside. They served food (we didn’t eat though) and they had lots of signs up like 'wanted’ and 'for sale’ and things that made it feel even more real. It was heaven! I almost cried!

We then went to the gift shop and I bought lots of goodies! Got the one ring in sterling silver, engraved inside and out! A cider (which unfortunately leaked so I couldn’t take it home), the mug, a no admittance sign, and Thorin’s map. I also bought lots of stuff for Chris too, even took a print out of his face with me so we can pretend he was there! 

Dale had to practically drag me out of Hobbiton, but took me to the centre Of Matamata because the iSite building is built to look like a hobbit house, and I spent even more money there - got lots of stamps, and magnets and treated myself to the limited edition coin.

After this already perfect day, we went back to Tauranga and met up with Dale’s friends Dean and Sam (who if I haven’t mentioned this already - are completely lovely! ) and walked around the park where there was a food market on. Ate heart shaped pizzas, a spiral chicken chip and sampled some fudge. Then sat on the grass listening to a guy play acoustic guitar in last few hours of the sunshine!

And if that wasn’t perfect enough, I also got the best message off a lovely guy that I’ve been crushing on lately <3 

Such a perfect day, and definitely one that i’ll never forget!

After Hobbiton, Dale took me to the i-SITE Visitor Centre in Matamata because it is designed to look like a Hobbit hole! They also had more Hobbit and Lord of the Rings stuff for sale! I spent a fortune!

Got to Wellington at about 9.30pm. The roads started to actually look like ‘real city’ roads the closer I go to the city - actually hit a motorway that had three lanes!

Finding parking for the Cambridge Hotel was a bit of mission due to the one way system.

My room was right next to the entertainment room, and it was far too noisy! I felt proper old as I was close to complaining if it didn’t quieten down by 11pm! Also, I was a little disappointed that I didn’t go down and socialise and try and make friends, but I was far too tired, and had to be up at 7.00am or the Lord of the Rings Tour! Next time ;)

Also - the mirrors in the hotel were ridiculous! SO high! I had to stand on a chair to do make up!

The Lord of the Rings Tour was amazing!! I got picked up from the hotel at 8.45 in a van named Aragorn! (yes, I got to ride Aragorn haha!)

and the lady was lovely, a proper fan too!

She took us to Mount Victoria, and showed us the view of Wellington, I had to climb quite a few steps and I was aching so much still from climbing Mount Doom!

She took us to the place where Peter Jackson filmed the scene 'a short cut to mushrooms’ - where the Hobbit’s fall down the bank, and Frodo shouts “get off the road!” and the bit where they hide from the Ringwraith under the tree roots - the tree was made at the WETA studios out of polystyrene though, so that wasn’t there! Apparently this location was kept a secret during filming for only 5 days! Then locals started arriving to see what was going off and trying to get in the movie!

We went to the WETA studios - and that, well - if I’d of know about it 8 years ago - I’d of probably tried to of got a job there in the design studios! We had our own private tour around the studio - It was full of props and armour, and costumes from The Lord of the Rings, King Kong, District 9 and more. It was like a dream come true! There was a desk where it demonstrated the stages of development of one of the guns from District 9 - from concept to the finished prop used in the movie. We saw Saurons helmet - and how it was made of a SOFT flexible material that’s made to look metal! along with his ball and chain - light as a feather! We saw the stuff used to make the prosthetic feet, and arms and things for the Dwarves, before and after they had been airbrushed to look like real skin. And the special chain mail that WETA created to be as light as a feather compared to that of the real stuff, where half a shirt was too heavy for me to hold in one hand! We saw the place where the actual Sting was made! Saw minitures, and upscales, and watched a lady making some palm trees for the next Thunderbirds movie! It was amazing! and the gift shop was awesome too - didn’t spend as much as I did at Hobbiton though!

We went to Scorching Bay, and ate in the Scorch-o-rama - which is apparently very popular amoungst some members of the cast whilst shooting in the area - they even had a special 'themed’ menu! Some of the cast lived in the houses nearby during filming, whilst the owners went on a long holiday abroad - some of the street names in this area were: Karaka bay, Dundas road Ludlam street Burnham street Pinnacle street Breaka bay.

We saw a filming location, which was hidden in plane sight next to supermarket and pharmacy near South Hampton Road. It was just an outside area full of shipping containers which they used as green screens. These were painted and positioned as needed.

Also - apparently during filming, the crew didn’t have the heart to destroy certain items, so Pete said “get a shipping container and store it, I’ll decide what to do with it later” rumour has it, he never did, and that there are random full shipping containers around Wellington containing parts of the LOTR set!!

We saw the quarry in which they built, and destroyed Helms Deep and Minas Tirith.

Saw part of River Anduin, where you see Aragorn and Boromir rowing.

We went to Rivendell - that was cool because they’d actually 'advertised’ the fact that it was a filming location, with signs and plaques etc.

The tour guide even took some Elf ears with her so we could pose as Legolass!

Our tour guide also took us down Tooting tunnel - that was cool, you basically just beep your horn to celebrate the end of week - we went through on a Wednesday and everyone was tooting!

She even snuck us into the airport to see the Large Gollum and Gandalf on his Eagle - this isn’t part of the tour, but because she knew we wanted to see it, she snuck us in! - so Cool! unfortunately the sun was shining right through the window behind where Gollum was, - So I went back at night time to get better pictures ;)

The tour guide was so lovely, and so helpful! She told me where the tattoo place was that the Fellowship went to for their 'nines’ I was going to go and get 'eleven’ but the place looked a bit - shall we say old fashioned and not to the standards i’m used to!

I felt like a massive geek geeking out with her and sharing youtube videos and knowledge - I told her about the guy who sings mad world as Gollum and the five-ish doctors short with Sylvestor and Ian.

After the tour was over she dropped me off at the Embassy theatre just in time to watch the last showing of the Desolation of Smaug at the theatre in which it was premièred. That was incredible! The sound was amazing - the building was beautiful, and the actors even 'bought’ seats and have their names on plaques on them - I obviously - after the movie - sat in each seat in turn and took photos of the plaques.

Then I drove myself to the airport so I could get better pictures of Gollum, and it became so foggy! All the flights were cancelled. 

That evening I went for a walk round the city, took me by surprise to see two homeless people - don’t know why.

The next morning, the fog was still there - so low and weirdly beautiful.

I walked to the tram stop - Still can’t believe that I walked ALL THE WAY to the top of the Tram stop, rather than ‘catching it up’ - such an idiot! nice walk though! Didn’t even dawn on me that I was walking so far until I got to the gift shop and asked the lady where I buy tickets for the Tram, and she said just to pay when I get off at the bottom! Bought a beautiful necklace from the handmade stalls up there, and paid with card via an iPad - so advanced! considering the rest of New Zealand is like England 15 years ago - the Debit and card payment technology is very advanced!

During the tram ride down, we went through a tunnel and it was full of lights! I really didnt expect it! so pretty! Was like a mini rave in a tunnel!

After the tram, I found Rodgers Tattoo - Spoke to the dude but decided against getting one done their, and then wandered around the city. Found MY shop ha, it sold all things I love! Adventure time, Game of Thrones, Doctor Who, Lord of the Rings, Crazy colour hair dye! Chatted to the guy for a while, he was nice and friendly - everyone was friendly! 

Used the BEST public toilets! you pushed the button, the door opens and shuts behind you, a voice says “hello, door is locked, your maximum time allowance is 10 mins” and then music plays whilst you tinkle hahaha amazing! no idea what happens when your ten mins is up though!

Wandering around Wellington was lovely, was such a nice city, and so much lovely street art! I even stumbled upon a Dr. Suess exhibition! 

I finished my time off in Wellington at the Te Papa Museum. Learnt so much here. The bits about the Earthquakes were really interesting! especially the Earthquake simulator! was quite an eye opener to be honest - 50 times less than the actual quake in 1987 - but still scary stuff! And how the roads can be effected by the quakes - I drove slower on the way home put it that way! saw some Kiwis - not live obviously! And found out that an animal call the MOA a giant bird existed! As well as Giant eagles!

After my time in Wellington, I drove back to Tauranga - took about 7 hours, and I only stopped twice! Once for a milkshake and a wee! And once to watch the sunset over Lake Taupo! That was beautiful! Would of been really romantic if i’d of had company </3

Got back to Tauranga at about half past 10.

Shipping containers used as green screens. Apparently during filming, the crew didn’t have the heart to destroy certain items, so Pete said “get a shipping container and store it, I’ll decide what to do with it later” rumour has it, he never did, and that there are random full shipping containers around Wellington containing parts of the LOTR set!!

Rover tours - Lord of the rings Tour, Wellington.

Took the car back early that morning and managed to save a days money on it! whoop! Then walked back to Dales- all while he was still in bed! When I got back I found out he had no milk so I couldn’t have a cup of tea! I was outraged! And made him take me for breakfast and tea!! haha - I had Salmon Benedict obviously! 

Then we spent the day in the sea and on the beach. I love the beach!

However, I put sun cream spray on but didn’t realise that the wind made it miss most of me, (it was a spray) so I burnt to a crisp!! got a propper white bikini mark!

After chilling at the beach we went to ‘Pack n save’ the local supermarket, to pick up desert for the dinner at Sam and Deans house. I was being a wee bit of a Diva in the super market because I wanted waffles for dessert and couldn’t find them, and my knees hurt haha!

But we found the waffles and we and had fajitas for the main course!  

After dinner we sat in the garden and played uno, and I won twice - (2 out of 3) think Dean helped though just so Dale didn’t win haha.

There in house cinema is amazing too!! Massive wall and a Projector screen, was just like being a cinema! We watched 12 years a slave, and I got introduced Rick and Morty!

It was so nice doing the 'every day’ stuff like this, it gave me a proper sense and feel to what it would be like to actually live there. And it was nice. So calm and relaxing. I only had one mini 'freak out’ and anxiety attack the whole time I was there.

Saturday Back to Matamata as I forgot to get dad a beer! and I love it there! ha! And then went to Dale’s dads for a BBQ - that got ‘rained’ off but it was still nice, we were so high up in the hills were were literally in the clouds! It was quite magical really.

Got up early and drove to PioPio for the Hairy Feet Tour - I WAS STOOD IN TROLLSHAW FORREST !! I got to hold Gandalf’s and Radagast’s staffs, and Glamdring and Orcrist!! and had my photo taken on Bilbo’s marker for the scene when the Warg’s attack, and re in acted the scene where Bilbo gets given his Elvish Dagger!! and I bought some hairy feet biscuits! It was incredible! Beautiful scenery! incredible weathered rocks, all worn differently, learnt about the silver fern and how if your lost if you leave a trail of them upside down they reflect the sun and shine bright white so people can see them from the sky! 

After we checked in at the Hobbit Hotel at Woodlyn Park, OH MY GOOD IT WAS BEAUTIFUL!!! so so lovely! I couldn’t stop smiling! and I never wanted to leave. Really sad that it’s up for sale and I cant afford it.

After we checked in, we went and got some food, and then went to The Legendary Black Water Rafting Co for the cave tubing! Had to jump off a mini platform backwards in our rings and I was petrified! Actually petrified! seriously didn’t think I was going to be able to do it! Kept asking Dale who’s great idea this was and he kept reminding me it was mine haha! but I did it! and I said it wasn’t cold after and everyone laughed at me! (but it wasn’t the coldness I was even worried about! It was the falling!) After the practice jump we started the caving, and it was so dark and kinda scary, every step I took I was scared I’d disappear as it was so deep in places - beautiful, and an amazing experience though! And once inside we had to jump off an actual waterfall, I was scared.. but managed it! Then paddled through in our tubes for a bit, saw some eels! And had a talk on the glow worms - quite amazing really,

Glow worms don’t actually exist! it’s a maggot so to speak, that has strings of mucus hanging from them which is how they catch their food, and it’s their poop that glows, they transform into an insect like a moskito, that lives for 4 days, and has sex for two of those days, then dies, while the female lays eggs. 

- sounds gross but really pretty.

When we turned our torches off you could see so many in the cave, I just wished I’d had my glasses as they were quite high up - but I got told they’d of just steamed up anyway - (first time I’ve needed/seen the benefits of contacts)

They also tried to scare the life out of me and fool me into thinking I had to put my hand in a box full of wettas!! I was a being such a girl! I thought they were obviously joking - but then I was like what if they weren’t!! and sort of double bluffed myself. This guy kept shoving this tub in my face, and saying I had to be ready and be quick to get my hand in so they don’t jump out at me, and i kept squirming and pushing his hand away, this was going on for about 5 minutes and everyone was laughing me. When he eventually opened the lid and thrust it towards me, I jumped and screamed and flung it back at him! But it was just a tub full of chocolate fish haha!

All the way round the Glow worm trip, I was busting for a wee, because they’d panicked me and told me I couldn’t go for 3.5 hours, and that we were not allowed to pee in our wet suits (not that I would anyway! I can’t even pee outside at a festival behind a tree let alone when other people are around!!) but OH MY GOD I’d ever needed a pee so bad before in my life (minus on par with Hevy fest!) so unfortunately that kind of ruined the last bit of the tour for me!! I wasn’t bothered about glowing shit, I was bothered about if I was going to burst my bladder! had to literately run from the cave exist to the nearest loo haha! So embarrassing! and wet suits aren’t exactly quick to get off!

After that we showered and had tomato soup and bagels, and went back to the best hotel ever! I washed my hair, ate noodles in sunshine looking out at the view, and then we went to bed and watched the Hobbit - pretty perfect! Watching the Hobbit movie in the Hobbit Hotel with one of my oldest and bestest friends! 

I never wanted to leave that place. I so wish I could afford to buy it.

Drove to the random hot water beach that the nice people we met from Ilkeston told us about. It had Black sands and was completely empty! was just me an Dale there for a while, it was amazing. We dug a mini hole with out feet and found hot water! so hot it burnt my feet in fact! The sand was even too hot when we were climbing up the dune to get back to the car! was quite painful. But totally worth it! Was funny watching Dale trying to climb the dune and not trip on his flip flops and burn his feet haha! I did it twice as we didn’t take the camera the first time, and there was no way I wasn’t getting pictures! Plus i’m hardcore ;)

Then we drove to Bridal Veil Falls, it was incredible, so so beautiful! and Dale carved our names into the viewing deck of Bridal Veil Falls <3 Going back to do it again next time I visit!

We then drove to Raglan - Manu Bay, to watches some surfers, that was fun! one guy was scared to go in from the rocks but when he did we cheered haha. the waves were mental too! 

We then drove back to Tauranga and went to The Strand and to find somewhere to eat, we had the nicest battered chicken wings and some lovely home made sauce! and fish and chips! I swear all I ate all holiday was Battered Fish, Smoked Salmon, and Eggs haha.

Dale dropped me off at Mount Maunganui and I went shopping down the main street, it was literally one street of shops, very quaint. 5 surf shops though! I bought a new grey Hurley dress, a pink RipCurl hat, a black RipCurl jumper, and a white and lilac shirt. The shop assistant took me by surprise when he asked where abouts in the midlands I was from - apparently I have an accent then haha! Also bought lots of New Zealand trinkets form here, presents for mum etc.

After I spent my budget I went to the beach sunbathed, walked around the little island, and had a snickers and butterscotch ice cream.

Had to ‘LOL’ when some guys checked me out, propper made my day too! They said 'wow that’s amazing’ as I walked past haha, one wouldn’t stop staring at me!

I also felt like I was the only person in New Zealand who has red hair! Lots of people would stop and stare, and even comment! One woman shouted out her car window at me on one of the days “I love your hair!”

Dale then picked me up and we went to Josh and Louise’s for dinner with Sam and Dean, had sushi! (I only like one kind of sushi) Their house is incredible too!! Like a stylish designer show house! such high ceilings, beautiful view of their private lake, large windows, cinema room, and their planning on building a pool! so envious! Their dog was adorable too!

Spent the morning on the Local beach, paddled in the sea, was quite sad as I knew it as going to be the last time on the beach.

Then went to Mount Maunganui for lunch and had smoked salmon bagels, met Dale’s friend Josh again, we walked around the Mount, and had ice cream - the Snickers and Hokey Pokey was my favourite. However we did all get very excited about the RedBull Flavour Sorbet - even though I don’t like RedBull!

Visited Kaiate Falls, a Waterfall 5 mins from Dale’s Dad’s house. People Jump and swing in from the top as it’s so deep! Freezing cold though!

Then had dinner with Christine, Nigel and Cameron, said goodbye’s - and went to Dale’s and packed.

We set off for Auckland early Thursday Morning, But took a slight detour to Paeroa, the lemonade place, and found a lemon bin!! and a massive ‘statue’ of the drink - that I hugged obviously! 

First stop in Auckland was to book in for my tattoo at Two Hands Tattoo, as this was one of the main things on my list of things to do whilst away. Got booked in at 5:00pm, guy called Josh (I think?).

Next stop was kelly tarltons! I loved it here! Got to see the penguin feed, the sting ray encounter (oh my god I love sting rays!!) and the shark feed (Dale was disappointed there was no blood haha)

After Kelly’s and my Tattoo we checked in at the Best Western Hotel, and got ready for 'Date night’ at the Sky tower. (I wore my new Hurley dress I bought from the surf shop in Tauranga)

The Sky Tower was incredible, We went up and watched the sunset in the observation deck, and then Dale treated me to dinner at Orbit, the 360’ rotating restaurant on the top floor. It was beautiful, Sunset was beautiful, Views were beautiful, Mojito was beautiful, and it was the best steak I’ve ever tasted!

The whole night was beautiful. I didn’t want it to end. And not been able to stop thinking about it, and wishing I was still there since I’ve been back.

Although it did end in a rather amusing note - we both went for a wee and got lost because I came out at a different part to where Dale came out haha giggled for ages!

Woke up, and felt pretty sad, but got dressed, packed and went to Denny’s to have the Hobbit menu for breakfast!!

(this had been discontinued however, which made me more sad!)

We then went to play Treasure Island Crazy golf and see the Dinosaurs that I saw on my first day in New Zealand (and got very excited about). Dale totally kicked my ass at crazy golf haha! I DID GET A WHOLE IN ONE THOUGH! (He got three!!) and the water cannons kept going off making me jump, which was quite amuzing! Then We sat and enjoyed the sunshine for the last 40 minuites before having to drive to the airport.

Dale walked me to the Gates, hugged me goodbye, and I left.

Burst into tears once I was out of sight as I Didn’t want to go home.

( I don’t like people seeing me cry)

Dubai airport is massive, I had to get a train, like the underground type of trians, to Gate A and then a bus to the plane. 

Aeroplanes are depressing on the way home. Next time I think I’ll get an isle seat too, so can drink tea and wee whenever I need / Want. HA! 

I miss the feeling of sand in my hair already. I miss feeling alive. And free. I want to live my life as a permanent holiday.. The weather went from 26-30’ to 6’ how depressing…

As soon as I landed in Birmingham I burst into tears -take me back?