GISBORNE to AUCKLAND

Day 348

Auckland, North Island, New Zealand

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HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!
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Off to Auckland today..so more driving. And also on the alternate route. So..we drove another 700km's!

We went through Ohope, Tauranga and Maungarui to get to Auckland. More scenery. More books read. More 'I Spy, what places start with A, B, C...............?' and more stops to appreciate the scenery.

Fortunately we also better radio - south Island Radio was crap.

We drove pretty much straight through though and arrived at Auckland at about 8pm. We had this idea we'd stay at a Motel close to the airport. But the 'no vacancies' plaque was on all the motel doors!

We drove further and further from the airport and finally found the Raylands Hotel in Rakanui and what a gorgeous little hotel that was. We were wrapped! Are we that deprived that a fridge in the room makes a difference to our moods??

Received a message from Mum saying she's now closed the atlas. It sounded so cute! It also sounded so final. There was a closure ring to it...we were finishing our trip. We felt sad. And wondered how this experience has changed us.

How we would find Perth when we arrived. How we'd settle down again, after such an exciting, adventure filled year. We reflected. How long before we get itchy feet again?

We were leaving the City of Sails and heading 'home'. To Sydney!

We were excited and full of anticipation.