Wai O Tapu (Sacred Waters) is New Zealand's most colourful and diverse volcanic area. The walk through the whole area took a couple of hours. The visions were incredible and unreal, as well as the bubbling hot water, the mud, the steam and sulphur smell. www.waiotapu.co.nz

A Huka Falls jet boat trip certainly gets the adrenalin going! I had been on the Shotover River jet boat but Huka Falls was even better. The driver was a crazy man and our lives were, literally, in his hands. He especially seemed to love the 360 degree spins and getting his passengers soaked. He took us right up to the actual falls and he bumped us over the rapids before doing another wicked spin.

We back tracked from Okahune to get a better view of the three volcanos - Ruapepu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro. We had been advised the previous day that the weather was unsuitable for flying. However, today it was almost perfect. We went up on a half hour flight with Mountain Air, which took us on a circuit of two of three of the volcanos. Ruapepu decide he was too shy and covered himself with clouds. A fantastic and incredible view from the air.

From Waitomo we travelled onto Okahune, which gave us the first glimpse of the famous Ruapehu volcano. Ruapehu last erupted in 1995.

Waitomo, famed for the caves and glow worms. The tour we did was run by a company called "Spellbound". It certainly lived up to its name! The tour consisted of an interesting drive along windy, hilly roads with our guide pointing out the rock formations and fault lines. We enjoyed several cave trips and one included sailing on an underground stream, on an inflatable raft in total darkness, with light only from the glow worms. Certainly spellbinding! Morning tea w...