Well I will explain the above tagline in a bit, but lets update you on life before this little incident.

The duration of our time in Fiji was truly amazing, the people, the resort, the food (louise eyles you would most definately have been impressed), the activities all made our Fiji experience one to never forget. The weather could have been better, but this didn't affect our time here. A highlight of Fiji was visiting the limestone caves. One cave was open and then we had to swim underwater into a further cave which was covered and dark, the water was at high tide so there wasn't much space between you and the top of the cave! The cave water was freezing so coming out to swim in the sea felt like a hot spa! We were planning to go on a hike of the island, but unfortuntaley haha it was raining so it was cancelled!! We also walked to a sand bar, where at low tide you can walk out to the middle of the sea, with the ocean all around you which was pretty spectacular. We experienced lots more Fijian culutre, with the local choir and dancers paying us a visit. It was then time to leave and head back to the mainland, saying goodbye to the people we met on the island was the saddest part, but I guess this is a feeling we are going to have to get use to!

After spending one night on the mainland, we went from one extreme to the other, a luxary island to a prison camp (cheers dad for chosing our accomodation for that night haha). It was only for a night though so I don't hate you too much dad, and we went out for dinner with a couple that I know from home so that was lovely!

Next Stop..Auckland. We arrived in Auckland and i left my hoodie on the bus...good start, it was emotional to say good bye to that hoodie but much to my suprise 3 days later it was returned to my arms, as the bus company had brougght it to the hostel we were staying at last night..legends! this just sums up the people of NZ so far, they go out of their way for you and are very friendly! We spent one night here before heading North to Paihia, the bay of islands. This was our first bus journey with Kiwi Experience, and they were very helpful, sort of like a school trip telling you all the places to see etc, so this is perfect for me and Faye! Arriving in Paihia, our walking boots got their first outing, we hiked about three hours to a waterfall, which was pretty unimpressive and dissapointing haha but to make it better we managed to blag a lift back with an english couple (you could call this hitch hiking - but don't worry dad we won't make this a regular occurence!!) so this did saved us a three hour hike back!

So Thursday 16th Feb..the eventful day. We had booked on a day trip up to Cape Reinga, stopping at 90 mile beach and a few other places on the way. 90 mile beach is where the bus drives along the beach in the sea which is pretty cool! The main reason for coming on this trip was the opportunity for sand boarding down huge sand dunes in Te Paki Stream. To get to the top of the dunes you have to trek up the dune for about 30 mins, then just lie on your board and go! this was a fun experience, reaching speeds of like 60 km per hour (i think!), well very fast thats all i know! On Fayes last attempt a car decided to drive across at the bottom of the dune, slowing down to watch faye and others sand board, you lack control on these boards and faye clipped the rear back wheel of the car - this is an image I will never be able to get out of my head. Lots of people rushed to her side and luckily a guy called Mike was on our coach and he has just qualified as a paramedic so Faye was in safe hands before the ambulance arrived, there was alaso a few nurses on the coach so we were very lucky! The ambulance took about an hour and a half to arrive because where the dunes are you are in the middle of nowhere. Faye was in and out of consciousness for about five minutes, but then came round. People were asking if she lookeed that pale all of the time and I was like yes, we are english she is normally that colour so don't worry!! This was mine and Fayes first experience in an Ambulance, and we didn't even get the flashing blue lights!! but thank god it wasn't an emergency! We arrived at the hospital and Faye had to go for x-rays etc and has had four stitches on the side of her face, but apart from the possibility of a scar and a few bruises she is one very lucky girl! We stayed the night in the hospital and I slept in the chair next to her. Looking on the bright side we were treated very well and the bus company payed for dinner and lunch and had a private car that took us the two hours back to our hostel, then gave us a refund of the trip and complimentary ferry tickets etc! The tagline for this day trip was 'prepare yourself for an unforgettable day out' and this was certainly achieved. An interesting 24 hours, an experience that we do not want to be repeated and thank god Faye is okay - so lets stay away from dangerous activities! - well untill the sky dive/bungee anyway!!

We then headed back to Auckland again, where we are staying for three nights. Have been shopping today and Faye has been resting all afternoon - doctors orders! Auckland is a nice city but it just feels like we are in London! Very similar! We are off for lunch with my Godmother Maggie and her husband Tony tomorrow, who are in the country for their sons wedding so am looking forward to catching up with them! We then head south on Tuesday morning, to explore the rest of the north Island.

Will update you soon but lets hope it's not as eventful as this one!

Hope all is well with everyone, missing you all xxxxx