I am now in New Zealand and have been here for just over 2 weeks now!

When we got here Lisa and Stef picked us up from the airport, it was so strange seeing them again after nearly 5 years!! We went back to their's and stayed with them for a few days, then we started travelling the north island on Monday 7th.

Our first stop was Napier, we only spent one night there. There wasn't really a lot to do there. We then went to Mt Maunganui, which I really liked. The first night we were there we went to an outdoor hot pool which was so so nice, we had our own hot pool thinking that it was just outside with all the others and that it would just be us in it but it was a private room with a pool in it! It was wicked it was like being in a bath!! We cooked ourselves pasta for dinner, it was the first time i'd cooked for nearly 3 months cos of getting free food it all the last places!! During the day we went for a wonder around town and walked along the beach, in the evening we went to a pub called The Mount Mellick which had been recommended to us and there was a quiz on so we entered. we were sat next to a right pair of drunks! but it was really funny. we came last in the quiz but its the taking part that counts!!

Our next stop was Auckland we only stayed there one night then headed up to The Bay of Islands which was amazing we spent 2 nights there and went on a dolphin cruise where we could swim with dolphins but we only saw common dolphin and you cant swim with them because they are too fast!! it was a nice trip though. We saw a christmas parade around the town which was really strange because some people were wearing bikinis and things! it was good though. We then went to Cape Regina which is the northest point in New Zealand, we went along 90 mile beach and had the opportunity to do sand boarding but we didnt do it as it was cold and wet and you landed in a muddy patch at the end and we didnt have a change of clothes with us!

We then went back to Auckland for a few days and we treated ourselves to a meal at the Sky Tower on the Monday night, it was gorgeous! We had a 3 course meal, Pumpkin soup to start, chicken with veges for main and then baileys ice cream and chocolate cake for dessert, then a hot chocolate it only cost $65 which we didnt think was too bad. When we went to the Sky Tower shop a few days before we saw that you coudl get your picture taken and super imposed on to a Sky Tower background and I was really looking foward to getting it done but the photo part of the shop was closed I was really annoyed but I gave a guy that worked there Lisa's address and asked if he could send me the photo sleve so that I can at least put my own picture in it, we will see if he does!!

We got the ferry to Coromandel on Tuesday, it was nice there but we missed out on going to a place called Catherdal Cove which is meant to be really nice so I was a bit gutted about that.

Next stop was Rotoura, we were only going to stay there for one night but because of the bus timetable we ended up staying for 3 nights, it was one of my favourite places in the end. Rotoura is renowed for smelling! Its because of the sulphar and it smells of rotten egg! you get used to the smell though and its not too bad. The first night we went to a Maori villiage which was amazing, we learnt a bit about thier culture and they put on a performance for us and did the haka. We walked round the villiage and we got to play a game with them, you had a tall stick in your hand and you had to let go and move to your rigth or left depending on what the lady said, but she said left or right in Maori so it was harder! I was the first one out but it was really good. We then had dinner there and had it cooked in a Hungi which is underground, you could taste the soil on some of the food but it was yummy. We went to Hells Gate mud baths which were wicked we had a geothermal tour of the hot pools first which was really interesting some of the hot pools were over 100 degress!! you wouldnt want to fall in! Then we went in the mud bath, we were only allowed 20 mintues in there then we went to the sulphur spa. it was nice and relaxing. In the evening we went to pizza hut I have been craving pizza hut salad for ages and most pizza huts are only take away! it was so nice but not as nice as home! On our last night there, there were candlelit carols in the park, it was so nice and christmassy but strange because it was really warm and didnt get dark until about 8.30!

Our last stop was Taupo where I did a BUNGY JUMP!!!!!!!!! yep thats right I jumped off a 48m platform in to a river! I had been thinking about doing it for a while but didnt think i would actually do one, then i was speaking to our bus driver and he said he will do it with me so I was like ok then, I was so scared but it was amazing! I got photos and a Dvd just to prove that I actually did it i screamed most of the way down! On the way to Taupo we stopped at a rabbit shearing place! The rabbits were massive we watched one get sheared, it was horrible they put it on a spit like thing and tied its legs up! Its not cruel though and the rabbit was obviously used to it and didnt mind it, dont think Bailey would have liked it much! After that we went to Waitomo Caves, where we saw glow worms it was pretty awesome.

We are now back in Wellington, we got back yesterday and Lisa cooked us xmas dinner, it was my first roast since my xmas dinner last year! It was yummy, lisa is a pretty good cook!

The plan now is just to chill out over xmas and new year then start travelling again on 5th January and do the south island.

Merry Christmas and a happy new year everyone!! x