Got up bright and early again due to the sunshine and got back on the road. On the way back south we passed a sign for a Kiwi and glow worms house and took a little detour to check it out. It was 10 km off the main road and as we pulled into the wooded entrance we were greeted by an old Chinese man. We quickly discovered that we both spoke Cantonese and started chatting. He offered to let me in free with just Ruth and Ilka paying admission. A look at the price chart showed why, the regular adult admission was NZ$14 each. However with the three for the price of two offer it came out to a much more reasonable NZ$9 a person so we figured we would give it a look see.

After paying the admission we were given a flashlight and headed up a hill following the signs until we reached the Kiwi House. Kiwis are small flightless birds native to New Zealand and have practically been adopted as their national identity as New Zealanders often refer to themselves as Kiwis. The Kiwi house was dark because Kiwis are nocturnal creatures and consisted of a corridor separated by glass from a large room made up to replicate a forest environment. There were two male Kiwi birds in the habitat and they romped around a bit.

After a short time we left the Kiwi house for a short trek around the mountain following the marked trails. There were several trails branching off so we thought we were lost a few times but eventually made our way to the glow worm cave. This was also less than exciting. It was just a cave built around a small stream. The glow worms looked like very small green Christmas lights on the walls and ceiling. It was dark. That was all. The whole place was a bit like a zoo with just two exhibits and probably not even worth the NZ$9 we paid. No wonder the guy gave me a discount.

Another few hours drive south and we stopped at the small town of Kawakawa who's only claim to fame is that the renowned architect Friedensreich Hundertwwasse, who frankly I had never heard of either, had retired there and designed some unusual artistic public toilets. Anyway Ilka wanted to see the toilets and it was on the way so we stopped.

After dutifully looking at and photographing the toilets which were unusual and were artistic but when you really got down to it still toilets we went for a spot of shopping. I was browsing through a small bookshop/stationary store when I noticed they sold birthday party supplies. Ruth happened to be turning 32 tomorrow so I had a bit of inspiration and purchased a birthday party banner, some silly string, birthday candles, party hats and noisemakers along with a stuffed Kiwi bird for a gift. Ilka came in while I was making my purchases and she got a travel backgammon set.

As the saleslady was ringing up my purchases I noticed Ruth about to enter the store. I immediately went out to intercept her. I learned that Ruth had tried to get money out of the ATM to pay her share of the van which I had charged to my credit card but she had not been successful. I suggested she try again for less money and she wandered off to the bank again. Whew! I went back into the store to pay and then sent Ilka off to get something to bake a cake. We couldn't buy a cake because that would be immediately noticeable.

We managed to smuggle the stuff back to the van and drove back to Waipu and the Ebb and Flow hostel. There Ruth and Ilka decided to stay in the dorms while I stayed in the van. Ruth was complaining that the bed in the van was too soft for her and she was getting backaches in the morning. We planned to have our surprise birthday party at midnight. I occupied Ruth with helping me cook a spaghetti dinner while Ilka secretly baked the cake. Afterwards we sat around playing the games and chatting with the other backpackers. I played a couple of games of Chinese Chess and learned how to play spit, a card game. Around ten disaster struck as Ruth announced she was exhausted and was going to bed. Well there was no way to keep her up without giving up the surprise so we let her go off to bed and rescheduled the party for eight the next morning. Another hour later and most of the people had gone to bed and I followed.