Auckland

Hey,
Spent four days in Auckland, which is a cool place but much like every other big city you have been too, lots of starbucks and mcdonalds, but very cheap sushi much to nats joy! We stayed in a big hostel in the city centre, which was good as they were geared towards helping backpackers. Free dinners and a cheap bar, not too shabby! Shared a sort-of flat with 20 girls, (big queue for the bathroom!). Some girls from the flat took us out for the night to see a live band. The band were ace, as were the best burgers ever that we got after! Honestly veggie burger heaven inc. pinapple, egg, cheese, onions, salad and lotsa Ketchup (see attached photo!). Walked into the pub and wondered why there were twenty guys wearing matching shirts, Nat asked and it turned out to be the sandhurst rugby team! You can't escape the brits here, they are all over the place. Sad to say can't avoid the chavs either- we had to pull one of the guys we met away from an undesirable! oh well- at least it didn't ruin the night!

One of the backpacker companys runs a free city tour, so we did that one day (they get to plug their tours, you get a free day out) So got to get out of the city and see a more historical side. Went up to the maori sacred ground, and visted the volcano crater just outside the city also a sacred tribal ground. Also home to the best prank story I've heard in ages... apparently some uni guys filled the crater with tyres set them on fire, then called the local radio station saying the volcano was smoking! This was back before police helicopters so 3000 ppl were evacuated before they figured it out! how cool is that.

Did the hostel bar quiz, and came second netting us a $50 bar tab, which (being the smart girls we are) we used during happy hour the following day, see dad I do know how to be good with money!!

Gonna start our tour of the north now. X