Hey guys,

We've now been away from home for two weeks and are having an amazing time! We started our Contiki tour a week ago now and have travelled the North Island of New Zealand. We're in a large group of lots of different nationalities, all really fun and friendly people. The tour has taken us to the Bay of Islands, where we spent our first two nights. We went on a dolphin and whale watching boat trip, but sadly we weren't able to swim with them, as the dolphin pods had babies in them, and the whales would have probably killed us!

Then we travelled back down through Auckland, to a tiny villiage called Waitomo, where we had a relaxing day in the sun. From there we went to Rotorua, where we watched a very funny sheep show (yes it was actually fun) and then we went zorbing! For those of you who haven't experienced zorbing before, it consists of you in a massive ball, rolling down a very steep hill. We were both in the same zorb, with a load of water. Josie was worried that Danny was going to crush her to pieces, but actually it was the other way round, as the heaviest person goes to the bottom (Danny) and Josie was crushing him!! We both got absolutely soaked but it was so much fun. In the evening we experienced a traditional Maori concert, where we both had our turn to be on stage. Josie took part in a song and dance with the Maori women and Danny performed (or tried) the Hakka with the men.

Then we went to Taupo, and took part in a Rock N Ropes course (huge obstacles 50ft in the air, consisting of walking on wires, jumping onto trapeezes and swinging from ropes). Terrifying but so much fun. Our day of adventures continued, as later on we went parasailing over Lake Taupo. Once again so scary (especially for Josie, as she thought she was going to die.... wait to see how she feels when she skydives!), but a really big adrenalin rush.

From Taupo our coach took us to Wellington, New Zealand's capital city, and we experienced a very fun night in a bar, where we were allowed to dance on tables. We both got up and danced, however Josie got a bit too excited at one point and missed the table with bruises now to prove it (could have been down to her being a little tipsy!). The more we both drank the better we got to know our group.

This brings us to today, where we are both quite hungover, but have been amused by some of the hilarious outfits people have worn in the city, as it is International Rugby 7s weekend hosted in Wellington. Tomorrow we are off to the South Island for our second half of our tour. If the first week is anything to go by, we're in for a fantastic second one!

Hope you are all well, keep in touch.

Lots of love, Josie and Danny xxx