Saturday - Today before we started the drive to 'Taupo' we decided to squeeze in the 2h, 7km, walk to the "Silica Rapids". We walked through a mountain beech forest, dark marshlands and volcanic rocks all with "Mount Ngauruhoe" in the background. We then reached the rapids having walked alongside a cascading stream, arriving at the creamy-white rocks where the rapids desended. Such a spectacular and interesting sight. From the rapids we then caught a lift back to the car where we began our drive to 'Taupo'. Along the road we passed "Lake Rotoaira" and "Mount Tongariro". Then we stopped at "Lake Rotopounamu" where we walked a circuit, it was a stunning lake just in the middle of nowhere! We reached 'Taupo' in the afternoon and checked into "Berkenhoff Lodge", a nice hostel on the outskirts of town. It is $18 a night and has good amenities. In the evening we went to the hostel bar and watched the final Lions tour game against New Zealand (we lost) and had a few drinks. We then headed out into town and had a few more drinks and dance - a fun night!! Sunday - We got up and Neeley went to do a skydive! Fiona and I followed her in her limo. It was really nervous for us, Neeley was well confident. She got on her outfit and then headed to the plane. It was tiny! After about 20mins we saw people falling, and Neeley was the last one to land. She seemed to really enjoy it, and we could not get the smile off her face all day! We then decided to go to "The Craters of the Moon". This is a stunning landscape within the thermal area. We walked past both large and small craters, all discharging lots of steam. It was really smelly, due to the sulphur emissions, but so amazing to see! There was also one large mud crater, and little eruptions of mud occured. Then on the way back into 'Taupo' we visited the "Muta Falls", a stunning set of waterfalls; so powerful! A strong stream of icy blue water tumbled over the edge of the old lava flows. I then spent the evening in the internet cafe before having an early night. Monday - We are off to 'Rotarua' today.