Franz Josef was amazing, I was so excited to be here as this is where you do the Glacier Hiking. I did the full 8 hour hike day and it was beautiful. The day we arrived it was pouring with rain and we caught up with some friends who had just done it (they were on the bus ahead) and bless them, they were frozen and soaked through, but they still said it was amazing. But luckily for us, when we woke up the next day it was clear blue skies and the sun shining brightly.

You divide up with different leaders and walk speeds, naturally I went for the fast walkers group. But in all honesty you had to walk so carefully because of the ice, it was so slipping. You get kitted out in warm and waterproof clothes and have to attached ice crampons. It was so amazing, stunning, amazing weather, climbing up the glaciers and having amazing views. Climbing through little crevases and crawling under ice caves. Some of the tunnels were so narrow, this poor girl got stuck and fell over (twice) it was bad as she got her feet stuck too and fell to the ground and was screaming as she was jammed in btween two sides, it was bad, and I helped her up but deep down I couldn't help but laugh (mean I know). It was 8 hours all in all and well worth the money. When we got back to the resort we jumped in the hot tub to thaw out. Then got ready for that nights activites.

The bar was really cool in our resort, and it was great as the second night the next bus came and a few of our other friends were on that so we all were re-united for a night and had lots of drinks and had fun.

After 2 days in Franz Josef we headed to Wanaka...passing through Fox glaciers..where you could do the worlds 2nd most scenic skydive (the 1st is Mt everest which costs thousands so realistically this is the most stunning one) and I had originally wanted to do this but then decided not to risk the weather as we had it great in taupo...but that morning Josh and Paul didnt make their dives as they were too hungover (silly boys) so when 2 spaces came up me and Amy looked at each other and just though 'F**k it' so on impulse we went for it.

OHMYGOD it was incredible. You got a 20 minute scenic ride over the mountains and glaciers, which was amazing in itself. Amy was scared as the plane was tiny, there was only us 2 and our divemasters and the pilot. The jump was out of this world, the views were incredible and because it was my second jump you kind of know what to expect so can actually take in the environment more. Worth every single penny. (Thanks Dad...;) he gave me money for my first dive which made me have enough left to end up doing this one)

Wanaka was really pretty, we didnt have long there but that evening we went to the cinema to see Transformers. They have this funny/weird little cinema there where there aren't normal seats but instead couches, bean bags and this converted front two seats of a beetle car. The BASE hostel was actually good there so I didnt mind staying there for once. We had an early start but I wanted to run round the lake so i got up at 6am and ran out the lake as the sun rose.