This morning we visited the Waitomo caves to see the glow worms. The glow worms lead a pretty crap exsitence. They spend most of their time just glowing to attract flies and anything else they can eat. Then once they themselves turn into flies they dont actually have a mouth so they die! luckly them! We were luckily enough to share this experience with over 50 Americans - and werent we grateful! Nothing like a big bunch of Americans who shout when they are speaking to their friends who are right beside them. And one point the guide was explaining that in a particular part of the cave, called the Cathedral, their is no echo, so she asked someone to demonstrate this. well of course the Americans all got quite excited and volunteered their peers to sing. Apparently they had some amazing and gifted singers in the group. So about 5mins later once the person they had been 'bigging' up finally decided that they would grace all of us with her voice, we got a beautiful rendition from Phantom of the Opera. It was an emotional moment for us all. so...... After the caves we headed for Taupo. Quite a few of us had decided that we wanted to ski dive here as it was cheaper than Queenstown and the views were meant to be beautiful. We headed straight for the place once we got into Taupo but were told that they were probably not going to be able to get us up there today. We were all slightly relieved as we didnt feel totally prepared to chuck oursleves out of a plane quite yet..... .....well this was short lived as LJ came back and said that they were quite happy to fit us all in! Great!!!! we all made our way into the hanger including those who werent ski diving as they wanted to watch us and take photos which was cool. So we started to get the gear on - a beautiful red jump suit, leather hat and googles. I looked just dreamy (as you can imagine!) Tash ended up going in the plane before mine. We all waved them off, cameras at the ready. It is a little scary staring up in the ski watching this dot falling, knowing that that will be you in about 15mins! Once the plane returned we headed up. My Tandem master was really nice and he informed me that this was around his 4500 jump so I was feeling pretty confident. Once up in the plane I got hooked up to my guy and he explained what we were going to do when we had jumped. You would think at this stage that I would be crapping it just a little but actually I wasnt nervous at all. I think because we hadnt had time to think about it, it hadnt really registered! Once we had reached 12,000 foot the door opened and the girl infront of me suddenly disappeared. Before I knew it I was sitting over the side of the plane dangling yet not falling as my guy was still sitting on it. My camera man jumped and then we followed. It is the strangest feeling knowing that you are free falling to the ground! Unfortunately that feeling doesnt last long as the parachute has opened before you know it. (well at this point you have actually free fallen 7000 foot) The views once you are drifting down are amazing! we could see Mount Doom (from Lord of the Rings) and Lake Taupop which is just beautiful. Before you know it you are back on the ground. It has to be one of the most exciting things I have ever done and would definately do it again if i get the opportunity! We all gathered in a room to watch the dvds of the jumps. What was great is that it shows everyones jumps so you get that on your dvd as well. Unfortunately the camera man didnt really capture me best side at all times. At one point I looked like a corpse. Really attractive. It will be an excellent memory!!!! That night we all went out in Taupo. Starting in the bar at our hostal and heading onto Mulligans and The Holy Cow. There is nothing like a good drink and a dance. We were all up on the tables strutting out stuff which Im sure everyone around us was thoroughly enjoying! It was really nice to all be out as a whole group. We have been so luckily as we all get on like a house on fire. It will be a real shame when we start to separate as we make our way down to the south Island. Hopefully many more good times to come before that though!! Hope you are all well by the way!!! x x x