Reunited

---

On arriving in Taupo, we looked for a camp site. Unfortunately, theres no DOC's around so we had to pay! But it was well worth it when we found out that our campsite had New Zealands largest inflatable pillow. But that was fun for later. We set the tents up at Lusty Flats next to Hukas corner! We were starting to wonder what sort of campsite this was!

Jon and I went off to try and find Trev. I knew which hostel he was in but he wasn't there. Knowing Trev like I do, I knew that after a long bus journey form Napier he'd be hungry. So knowing Trev like I do, I knew that he would find the cheapest, most filling and closet place to eat so to MacDonalds we went. Sure enough, there he was tucking into his Big Mac!

We went back to the campsite and all had a little go on the pillow. So much fun, but the kids waiting to go on at the side were getting a bit impatient so we let them on (after bout an hour!).

That night we stayed at the campsite and played cards with a few drinking games inbetween! Next morning, Ben, Jon and Toria did a skydive. Trev and I really wanted to go as well but it was out of our buget :-( They did the 15000 ft and all loved it. However, I think the drinking the night before hadn't helped Jon as after they landed and had their photos taken, he promptly threw up, oops! We stayed another night then headed off to Roturua so Jon and Tor could go to see the Thermal activity there. The rest of us had already seen it so waited in the car. The place still stunk of bum so when someone asked where we were going to camp that night i quickly said anywhere but Rotarua. The smell was bad enough in the morning in a building let alone in a 15 dollar tent!!

We ended up driving to Whangamata and camped at a the Wentworth DOC. It again was pouring with rain and we had to set the tents up in the dark while trying to keep our stuff dry under the filthy, bug ridden BBQ area. Great fun! About half an hour later, we could here someone shouting and Ben went to find out what it was. He didn't come back for ages and we were all starting to get a bit scared! Turned out that a man had got himself lost and had dropped his bike and gear somewhere and couldn't find it! It was so dark out and the boys decided it'd be a good idea to go explore leaving Tor and I behind. We knew they just wanted to scare us so we waited for ages but nothing happened until we suddenly spotted Jon or now none as Mr. Daz. We saw him a mile away as his clothes were reflecting in the dark. Bad luck guys!

The next morning we packed up our gear and headed back to Auckland. Back to civilization. We all got clean and went out for a decent dinner which was amazing. We also went to the cinema to watch Wolf Creek. Bit of advice, if your planning to do backpacking in the outback of Australia (or in fact any deserted places like Trev and I are doing in the states!) DO NOT watch this film!!!

Well, we're off to Fiji tommorrow. Jons coming with us now and Bens there today so we'll prob meet back up again. We all can't wait to get to the beaches and hot weather (please!!). Here comes pardise......................

---

Photos

Poker Face
trev trying to teach us Texas Holden Poker! I didn't get it!

Ready and Raring
Tor, Ben and Jon getting ready for their Jump (see Jon doesn't look ill here!)

Cooking in the Dark!
Trev and Jon did quite a good job seeing as we only had two torches between 5 of us

All smart
Us enjoying an amazing meal at the Viaduct in Auckland. Evern Trev didn't mind spending the money after living off beans and instant noodles for the passed 2 weeks!

Comments

[Jonny Boy!]

Bonjourno!
Great work guys!!!! Love that "Cooking in the dark" shot. looks like I'm suggesting something far worse than my share of the cooking chores!!! I was actually trying to find Sympathy for the devil by the Stones, for Trevpot before he whited out on the world! Oh what a night. Jp.