A different place each night? I’ll say one thing: my time in the North Island has been busy… and did I mention there was a lot of driving? But no matter, I’m nearing the end now and I’ve been inching closer to Auckland each day in preparation for my final run home.

Holding on for dear life while striking a pose? Not as easy as it looks

A trip to the north wouldn’t be complete without a trip to Rotorua so naturally I booked myself into the most expensive spa in town for a soak in the hot springs and a massage. This is somewhat mitigated by the fact that I’m probably staying in one of the cheapest hotels in town. I’m just focusing on the fact that the sheets are clean and not trying to figure out what that smell is. Not my usual standard of accommodation is all I shall say. But back to the spa: Even if you don’t get the massage afterwards, the springs are worth a soak, only don’t stay in there too long like I did otherwise you’ll end up with first degree burns. Itchy. But you should get the massage while you’re there. My masseuse laughed at me afterwards and told me I really needed to relax. I laughed back at him and said relaxing is not something I do very well – even on holiday and hoped he didn’t hurt his hands too much.

Playing dress ups at the Dew Drop Inn

The next morning, I went ziplining through the native forest outside Rotorua – an amazing experience and totally worth the $140 NZD I forked out for it. Hmmm… pursuing the life of an adrenaline junkie might start to become a little expensive – but I’m hooked. As I’d stayed in such an ordinary hotel the night before I decided that my final stay would be more salubrious accommodation so I booked a studio apartment in Cambridge. Only… stupidly I’d booked it (and paid) for the same night as Rotorua! Argh! Unfortunately that studio was not available the night I wanted, but they upgraded me to an even better apartment for no extra cost. A nice way to end the holiday. It’s just as well I got a good night’s sleep because a two hour drive and a seven hour flight remained the next day.

So would I try this madcap adventure again? Well sure – but I’d temper it with a little bit of planning. It’s also nice to stay in the one place for more than one night on the odd occasion. But I did what I set out to do and didn’t fall to pieces along the way… and that was worth the cost of the holiday alone.

Until next time…

• Polynesian Spas – just glorious
• Rotorua Canopy Tours – thrill seeking & conservation in the one package
• Atticus Finch – with a name like this I had to visit (also has really great tapas)
• Dew Drop Inn – you get to dress up as a hobbit, need I say more?
• Earthstead Villas – practically perfect in every way