Final tour day

It's all over bar the shouting as 'they' say. Today we needed to drive from Paihia, Bay of Islands to Auckland to arrive at the Crowne Plaza about midday.

A short detour at the start took us to Waitangi, where the Treaty of Waitangi was first signed and then we headed south.

On the way we stopped at Whangarei Basin for a comfort stop. We had a coffee and a pit stop. Tim told us that over the last few years this area has become quite trendy.

On arrival back at the Crowne Plaza, those flying home today stayed on the coach. Those of us staying longer gathered our bags for the last time and headed in to check in again - in our case for two more nights.

After lunch in the food court, we headed for the Sky Tower - it cost a lot of money for Janette to be terrified when really all it took was a ride in the hotel elevator.

Found a little Indian restaurant just around the corner for dinner.Read more