So we finally left Oz after three whole months travelling the East Coast and partying and working in Sydney. But we couldn't leave before having a surf lesson and we couldn't have picked a better day for it. We had beautiful sunshine and non-scary waves!

The lesson was 2 hours long and we only had a small group of four which made it easier to get help from our instructor, Lawrence. First things first we got into our wetsuits and it was down to the shore to do some stretches - in front of the whole beach! We were then taught how to lay and paddle and sit up while still on the beach and what a rip curl was, then it was out into the sea to test it out and body boarded for a while to get our balance! After 10 minutes of me and Hays nearly drowning and getting thrown around by the waves we went back to the beach to learn how to jump up into a standing position. None of us were very confident in getting to our feet but we went back out and on my first wave I thought I would give it a go and somehow managed to get into a standing position and ride the wave for a few seconds before falling off and choking on about a gallon of water and the surf board hitting me on the head! I was put off though and carried on getting up and down and thrown around and by the end of the 2 hours I had finally got the hang of it and managed to surf my last wave all the way to the shore without falling off! I really want to go again now, despite all the water we swallowed me and Hays couldn't stop laughing! Too bad it was our last day - Cornwall next summer anyone!?

Anyway now we are in New Zealand. We flew into Auckland about midnight on Friday night and First thing Saturday morning we were off to catch our Magic bus (guided coach tour we have booked all the way into the South) to Rotorua stopping at the Waitomo caves on the way and seeing the glow worms! We had already been warned about the smell in Rotorua - the city is full of geothermal activity as it is where two tectonic pates collide and so lava is pushed up near the surface creating a lot of geothermal activity, steam pouring from the ground and of course the sulphur from below is what gives the place that lovely eggy smell. The hot springs and baths created by this geothermal activity is a plus though especially as it meant we were lucky enough to have one in our hostel so we promptly took a dip to relax! Sunday we decided to try out Zorbing which we had discovered in our Magic guide book. Basically you get inside a giant bouncy golf ball they add a little water (warm I might add) and then roll you down a hill! From the bottom it doesn't look that steep but trust me from the top it is! You stand up in it at first and then walk forward to... get the ball rolling, ha, then your off and splashing around inside the ball rolling at high speed down the steep slope! Obviously when you emerge 5 minutes later you look like a drowned rat but it was worth it! See the pictures they are so funny!

Later that night we went to a traditional Maori night to experience New Zealand's traditional culture. It was very interesting watching them stick out their tongues in a menacing way as they do to intimidate visitors, but the Roast dinner they cooked us in the traditional way under the ground was even better! Yum we had mince sauce and all sorts!

So we we're off again and boarding the Magic bus again to head to some hot springs and then on to Taupo where we will be sky diving eeeek! check back soon!

Love you

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