21st November 2006, 11.32am
The Mousetrap Hostel, Paihia

It’s been a while since the last update, but we had a lovely few days in Raglan, staying with Nicky (and an enormously fat but lovable cat). We ended up staying longer than planned, but it was just what we needed – time to stop and relax and enjoy life. Nicky was housesitting at a lovely place overlooking Whale Bay – apparently a top surfing spot.

Recharged, we headed south to Waitomo to visit the famous glowworm caves. On Ronnie’s recommendation (ta Ronster!) we went with a small company called Rap, Raft n Rock. Simon, the owner, was our guide and we rappelled into the cave (about 27m!), then went blackwater rafting (on a rubber tubes) through all the glowworms before rock climbing our way out.

So now, we’ve headed north again and after a brief stop in Auckland, have landed in the Bay of Islands. Had a beautiful sailing trip around with Mike and the Gungha II (the boat that Peter Blake circumnavigated the globe with!) and now we’re waiting for the US Government to decide whether or not we’re terrorists, which could be anytime between now and December.

Unfortunately that means that our trip to Fiji isn’t happening anymore, which is a bit of bummer. But, mustn’t grumble – we’re at The Moustrap (how ironic), a lovely hostel run by Jake and Nikki and seemingly overrun with Germans! It’s a really homely place (must get some photos up) as is evident by the amount of long-stayers here. Paihia is the main town in the Bay of Islands and is very tranquil, with beautiful scenery all around. And here we’ll wait.