Skydive Day!! Was the first on the bus this morning (not because I was early, just because I was the only one being picked up from my hostel - don't worry, I haven't suddenly become at one with time keeping). First thing the driver says - 'perfect skydiving weather today'. What. Today?? In 3 hours time? Erm... ok. Bit of sightseeing to get out of the way first though, bubbling mud, geyser, Huka (water) Falls, bungy jump site to watch Charlie do his jump, then, ...

I'm still in Rotorua! Dropped in a few days ago, expecting to stay just two nights, but the driving rain convinced me that another couple wouldn't hurt - and after speeding through the last few hundred miles, I deserved a rest! After a fairly uneventful start, I met a canadian and a dutch girl who were heading to the cinema. In an attempt not to die of boredom I joined them to watch Slumdog Millionaire - and I was pleasently surprised. Especially as we got in fo...

My last night in Auckland was a full one, after I updated this I went in search of Laura who I found in the basement with some Israeli guys and a geordi. I'm now the proud owner of a video of Israeli rapping. Funny. Left Auckland on Thursday and travelled south to spend the night in Whitianga. Bit of a whirlwind tour in the end really, with me not actually seeing the area at all - but I did get very well aquainted with a place called the Lost Springs. It's a spa...

My first beach! Naturally I sat in the shade. But nevertheless... Left the Bay of Islands early Sunday morning with the full intention of heading back to Auckland with the girls I had met in Paihia, but got waylaid and ended up in a sleepy town called Hokianga. It's known for, well, some really big trees. I think the biggest and oldest in NZ, around 2,000 years old so were mear saplings when Jesus was just a nipper... Went on a 'Twighlight' walk to see them wit...

Set off yesterday for the first leg of my Magic Bus adventure... Took a 3 hour ride north to the Bay of Islands and staying in an area called Paihia. I'd like to say that it looks exactly like the image above, but this would be a lie, firstly because when I first arrived here it was absolutly peeing it down (actually that's not quite true, it was raining from the time I left Auckland, but as I got up and dressed in the dark, this was not information I was privvy ...