From Auckland to Rotorua (Days 1 - 4)

Our first task (and arguably the most important task of our entire trip) was to pick up our campervan. This should not have been difficult; however it really was a mission in itself.

We were awake early as Auckland's incredible public transport system meanta journey that should take 20 minutes would actually take an hour and a half and involve a bus change and half an hour walking.We found lucky rentals without too much trouble and were told to wait about 15 minutes as they had taken our vehicle on a test drive. 15 minutes turned into 2 hours as they would have to change our tyres and 'there was something a bit funny with the brakes.' Feeling a little worried by this we returned in 2 hours to be told it would probably be another hour.

During this hour we watched at least 3 other customers having some form of issue. Lucky rentals were obviously having a few problems with the staff looking fairly harrassed. We were also not to be lucky as after a very long wait we were eventually told our vehicle's warrant of fitness expired on 12th April and so could we possibly change our travels for them and be in Christchurch on this date where they could extend this for us. This wasn't really an option so after our 4 hour wait they eventually asked if we could return tomorrow instead. Maybe these problems were the reason this company were substantially cheaper than any othe
However,the next day we were eventually handed our campervan along with a refund so we set off from Auckland happy, with 2 surfboards and a massive amount of luggage, which we would probably not use or need, crammed into the back.Our campervan was a little (very) cramped and a little (massively) scratched but this made him all the more lovable and by the end of the first day our van had been nicknamed Ned.

Our first stop was the town of Whangamata, about 2 hours from Auckland. We headed straight for the beach as Thomas was suffering severe surfing withdrawal after 6 weeks. There were some waves which were deemed good enough to surf and off Thomas disappeared for the next 3 hours only.

At this point it was already getting dark and we had a 45 minute drive to our campsite for the night - Dickey Flat Camping Ground. Yes it was pretty with a stream running down the side of the camp but for $8pp maybe they could have given us some showers.

The first day had sailed by pretty smoothly after our bad luck with the camper van and so it was time for a little more panic. This came in the form of losing our wallet, unpacking the entire van multiple times (which was not a simple task) and searching with the light from our phones as we had no torch (perhaps the most basic of camping items to have forgotten?!) An hour later, with both of us stressing that we were a million percent sure that the other one had been the last to have the wallet, it was found at the bottom of my bag. Although still neither of us have any idea how it got there (apparently.)

The next day we woke at 5am (some holiday) to get to the next stop in time for the sunrise (and the real reason was because the waves are usually better in the morning or so I have been told many times by the obsessive surfer.) We arrived in Mount Maunganui at about 7:30am and found a very pretty beach (or a lake as it was called by the obsessive surfer due to the absence of waves.) After breakfast we climbed Mount Maunganui which gave beautiful views of the Bay of Plenty. There were a massive amount of people that decided to make this very uphill trek even more challenging and run up to make the rest of us feel guilty for being so unfit. However, the view was definitely worth the pain and we definitely felt like we had earned our barbecue lunch.

The afternoon was spent attempting to surf the very mini waves (my level waves) and we got to the campervan parking early for our supper of our third and fourth new flavour of soup to try (chicken noodle was definitely the best so far although chicken noodle was an interesting description for it.)

The next day we woke early and had breakfast watching the sunrise on the beach.The obsessive surfer declared the waves were even less surfable than yesterday and we packed up our van and headed inland towards Rotorua.

Our first stop was Okere Falls, where there was a walk running the length of the river with various waterfalls. This was very pretty but in my mind I will just remember it as the area where I trod on a bee and had to hobble the last 20 minutes back to the car park after having a piggyback ride for approximately 30 seconds. ( Maybe slightly my own fault for deciding to wear flip flops instead of proper shoes.) Thomas had already cut his toe surfing so both of us had managed injuries within the first few days.

We then went to Hamurana Springs, which was virtually empty but definitely worth a visit as the waters from the spring were so clear and the Redwood trees were enormous. New Zealand nature at its best.

In contrast to our morning of nature visits our afternoon consisted of being as touristy as possible and we ended up at the skyline where we paid $50 each for a gondola ride and 3 luge rides each. I don't think either of us were too sure what this actually was except on the pictures it kind of resembled go karting. Without much expectation we had our first go on the luge ride and I can only describe it as feeling like you are competing in mario kart (albeit without throwing bananas and shells at your competitors, but which they should definitely add into the experience.)

The night was spent at TECT All Terrain Park after taking full use of BP Garage and their charging/wifi zone which was very helpful of them. This campsite was free, huge and in a forest so would definitely give this 5 stars.

The next day we woke early for Thomas to have a birthday breakfast which mainly consisted of giant marshmallows. We then headed straight to Waimangu Volcanic Valley which was basically a 2 and a half hour walk through the Rotorua volcanic area and was amazing to see. We stopped briefly at Kerosene Creek (a free hot pool) before beginning our trip South to Lake Taupo.