Backpackers

Tuesday night we stayed at the 'Mousetrap' backpackers which is nothing like I'd imagined. I shared a room with Ali and it was clean and comfortable. The house is huge with lots of space and nautical knick knacks everywhere. There are several bathrooms and kitchens, a huge lounge with comfy sofas and a log fire - it's a real homely place - I have my bicardi and coke, good company - the 'Kiwi' team are cooking tea and I really feel at home.

There are 13 of us in the group
Greg (student who lives in Canada) and Sara a vet from Cornwall (they're a couple)
Ali - teacher and her daughter from Shropshire
Claudia from Germany
Vicky from Kentish town London
Jenny - a solicitor from Brighton
Neil from Edinburgh who works for HBOS (small world)
Lisa who's in retail from Wellwyn garden city
Wayne who's on crutches as he came of a bike while on hols and is from Newcastle
Catrina who's a safety adviser from Kerry in Ireland
And of course Me and Sue the guide - it's a really good mix of people

Wednesday is a 7.30 start as we're off to Waitomo

Place names are strange here 'Wh' is pronounced 'F' so Whakapapa sounds like 'Fackapapa'
I'm cutting this short as my time is running out but will log in again later and write some more.