WHAT A WEEK!!! I'll start with the basics, which was our return to Auckland. Fairly understated, it must be said, though we did have the benefit of being allocated a room which was a twin ensuite because of a muck up with the bookings. Because it was the YHA's fault that meant that we didn't have to pay extra (score!) and got it all for the price of an 8 man dorm! Thanks YHA! We were picked up the next morning by Lauren, our new driver, who turned out to be an absolute LEDGE. More on the legendary status later, but after a morning where (we thought) we'd sorted out the buses for the entire trip, we headed down southwards and onwards to Mercury Bay, our first destination. It felt good to finally get away from
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