'sand and spots' Spend a few days in fiji, which is pretty good. however, the weather isn't great for the time i'm there- but i nonetheless get to spend some time beaching it and playing volleyball for most of the day at my wee resort i stay at on the south coast of the main island. also get to spend a day in the town of nadi.

'leaving new zealand' Spend a couple of days in auckland- which is the biggest city in new zealand- and near the northern tip of the north island. this is my final destination in NZ, as i fly onto fiji from here. like the other cities in the country its a nice enough- but nothing spectaular, new zealand is all about its amazing countryside and natural features rather than its cities.

'mud baths and hamster balls' The north island is very different from the south island, instead of the mountains of the south the north island is much more about the volcanos and geysers- which are just as spectcular, and show the natural diversity of new zealand. i do a bungee jump in taupo, which is pretty amazing if a little bonkers, and also some zorbing- running down a hill in a huge inflatable ball. also manage to take a natural hot mud bath- which is pret...

'natural springs, and hopping islands' Moved to the north island in new zealand for the first time- and to the capital Wellington. Its a nice enough city- but we only have a day to wander around as we want to move on northwards to see some of the north island in the few days we have left in new zealand.

'mountains and mad cows' Stay at the foot of mount cook, NZ's highest mountain- pretty much in the centre of the south island. the setting is very spectacular, as we are completely surrounded by the southern alps. i go for a great walk through the mountains, crossing over a few 'swingbridges' over rivers.