Tongariro National Park

Hello again! We've been really busy in the last month, and we're looking forward to a quiet weekend to ourselves! We moved into a different house which was easier than anticipated, and it is also quiter due to our flatmate leaving as soon as we got there.. nothing to do with us, honest! The car is running well, and the beach is now only a 5 minute drive, and we can hear the ocean at night if we're really quiet! Town is a two minute walk, which is great when we just need one or two things.. or drinks!

Rope Bridge

We met up with friends from Auckland and Wellington to take part in some hiking around the Tongariro National Park - the walk and the company were great, the views covered somewhat with mist and horizontal rain - much like Scotland! This was followed by a visit to some natural hot baths. Great times! The following week we caught up with them again plus a few extra recruits in Taurunga, where we managed to get a wee bit of sunburn on the beach and onto an English pub with a very dodgy cabaret... American Pop Idol beat it hands down! Really good nght!

Still working at the packhouse for a few more weeks, work keeps appearing from nowhere, which is handy from the cash side of things. I went to the staff night out on Wednesday (yes, midweek - bad idea!) and had a great time. I even made it through work the next day!

We're going to watch the Matrix tomorrow, and then do absolutely nothing!

Bye for now,

Owen and Toni

P.S.. we have photographic evidence of Owen doing the Haka with some locals in Rotorua, pics to follow!