We had to move our stuff to a dorm, as there was no double room available that night and we couldn't be bothered to move hostels. The dorm was pretty stuffy and of course there were no bottom bunks available.

We walked past a guy playing the drums on a set of cardboard boxes and the rubbish bin and set off for Broadway, Newmarket, after being baffled by the choice at the Borders bookshop... so many books in English! Not just John Grisham and Danielle Steele! Amazing...

It was the start of a shopping frenzy unlike anything we've seen. At Bivouac, we bought lots of stuff, including a tent, flipflops and cutlery, all essential items for the happy camper. The lady there was very helpful (well, we spent loads so she would be) and it was the first day of the sales, so we got loads of discounts as well... After, we got some plates from Kathmandu, also at discounted prices! We then went to Warehouse, a tip from the Bivouac lady to get a tarp to put under the tent (best buy at 2.99 NZ$) and a 'chilly bin' (cool box).

We dropped everything off at the backpackers and had lunch at Mecca, a great cafe where they have divine fish and chips. Keiron got a haircut and I caught up with my website a bit more, after which Keiron kicked my ass at pool.

In the evening we walked to the harbour and Princes Wharf. We had a drink at Lenin, which specialises, as you can guess, in vodka. I had a cocktail with watermelon and vodka, which was very strong. We had a look through the window of Lenin to Bar -5, a bar where everything is made of ice and thus kept at low temperature. You have to wear special jackets and are only allowed to stay for half an hour as it's like being inside a freezer.

We had dinner at Limon, by the water. I had penne with mariscos and Keiron had NZ lamb, of course with a bottle of NZ wine. It was a bit of a struggle with the gambas but I managed in the end. At about eleven, we went to the Occidental Belgian beer cafe, where they have, amongst other Belgian beers, Hoegaerden. Mixing vodka, wine and beer was not a good combination for me though, so I called it quits.

There was a bachelor party and I signed the groom-to-be's shirt. We went back and crawled in our top bunks, and I slept wonderfully in a room full of men, none of whom snored, amazingly.