On Friday 13th July we got up very early in the freezing cold for an 8 hour glacier walk. Armed with our well-prepared packed lunch, we headed to the glacier centre to hire our warm clothing to cover the 4 layers we were already wearing! After getting off the bus we walked towards the fastest moving glacier in the world. Just before we reached the ice, we stopped to clip on spikes to the bottom of our boots to help walk on the ice and then made our way up the ste...

Ok so that night in Taupo, in typical Dan and J fashing, we managed to find a kareoke bar, busting classics such as '500 miles' by the Proclaimers and 'Summer of 69'. We then went on to another Irish Pub (they are everywhere!) and had a few drinks and games of pool before heading to Holy Cow nightclub, getting thrown out at closing time. On Friday 6th July we had a great lie in until 1pm - much needed! Went down the road in icy-cold conditions with Jamie, Luke an...

We were picked up at Auckland airport by Jamie's cousins Bev and Ron and were taken back to thier home in Howick, a suburb of Auckland. Bev and Ron are extremely legendary people; very talkative (VERY talkative) and friendly, not to mention their generosity and good nature. We ate a delicious BBQ steak for dinner before going to sleep in our own comfortable beds with electric blankets! Friday morning we woke up at 11.30am to rain and general crapness. Having sa...