We left Auckland and headed up to mount eden to see views of the city and being the 3rd largest in the world there was a lot to see! The bus stopped in Thames for lunch before driving through mountainous countryside to a beach town called HaHei where we spent the afternoon down at cathedral cove sunbathing and swimming in the freezing cold sea. We drove onto Mercury bay where we stayed in a hostel with really friendly owners who did us a home cooked meal. Spent the evening meeting more kiwi experience passengers and walking along Buffalo beach.

Next morning we were up early again and on the bus bound for Rotorua, the geothermal town of New Zealand. On the way we stopped fpr a walk at Rarangahake reserve where we went through tunnels and bridges suspended above the gorge. We also drove through Matamata which was home to Hobbiton and a giant statue of Gollum from lord of the rings. We arrived in Rotorua to be greeted by the infamous egg smell and steam shooting up in random places around town (the result of geothermal activity underground. We were treated to a traditional Maori welcome at the cultural centre and sampled some Maori food which to me tasted like branston pickle on bread! In the afternoon me Fleur and Clare went luging. We got a gondola up to the top and then raced down the tyracks in our own carts. After getting some practice on the scenic track we braved the intermediate and advanced for our last 2 gos and had loads of fun. The 3 of us always seem to be the last back to the bus so we were met at the bottom by our very impatient driver and a bus load of backpackers! We walked around Rotorua in the evening before heading to our hostel bar for a few drinks with everyone else.

On Tuesday I walked around park to see the boiling mud pools and Geysers. Didnt stay long as the sulpher smell was making me queasy so I looked around the shops in serach of some warmer clothes. Met clare for lunch and then did the lake front walk with Fleur, passing more steam and mud pools and having to hold our breath throuhg one area called supher bay. That night we had a girlie night at the cinema where we watched P.S. Il ove you and all ended up in tears!

Next morning we were up and aboard the bus by 830. We stopped at Te Puia, a thermal area where we saw more geysers, boiling mud pools, kiwi birds and Maori weaving and carving and a traditional Maori village. While the lads learnt to do the haka the girls learnt some dancing. This involved throwing sticks at each other, not very graceful as none of us could actually catch them! From here we headed to Waitomo, stopping briefly to stock up on goodies for the night (waitomo has no shops) and agin we ended up running down the road after the bus as it drove away without us. We arrived in waitomo to a really nice 4 bed chalet but while some of us headed to the Ruakuri reserve for a bush walk, Fleur had an uncomfortable nap where she was attacked by bed bugs. After lots of arguing we all moved into new rooms but still had a restless and itchy nights sleep!

Next morning we got outside to find we were again late for the bus to go blackwater rafting and it had gone without us. Thankfully it came back and within 20 minutes we were donning wetsuits, helmets, flashlights and very sexy wellies ready to wade through some caves. The Black Abyss involved 10 of us crawling through freezing cold water in the dark, underground for an hour and floating on rubber rings in an 'eel formation' gazing up at the glowworms on the ceiling. The scariest bits were jumping backwards off a waterfall into the ice cold water, the huge Wicca spiders all over the cave walls and the eels swimming around our feet! Was a great experienc though and we all appreciated the free soup and hot shower at the end. Back on the kiwi bus and straight to Taupo where we stopped to see the Huka falls and the lake the size of Singapore. Our hostel offered hairdryer and straightners meaning I could do my hair properly for the first time in 4 months! With this new look me , Clare and Fleur headed to a mexican restaurant offering free tequila slammers for starter and desert. Although we'd planned to have an early night the offer of free cocktails and borrowed cowboy hats saw us staying out until 5am, meeting up with others from our bus and dancing the night away! Was great fun but knowing we were being picked up at 530am for todays activity it probably wasn't a smart move. Fleur didn't make it and me and Clare missed the bus yet again but again it came back so we were on our way to the Tongariro crossing, one of the top 10 one day walks in the world. Gutted that I hadn't had time to charge my camera over night i couldnt take any photos but hopefully i'll borrow some to show you all soon! After 10 minites Clare realised her dodgy foot wouldn't last the 6 hour trek so turned back which just left me along woth all the sensible people who had had early nights! Found the fresh air did the world of good for preventing a hangover and the scenery was breathtaking. We walked surrounded by mountains, one of which was mount doom from the Lord of the rings, had a very challenging climb up the devils staircase and red crate reaching 1886m, but were rewarded with stunning views of the emerald lakes below. On the way down we passed by these lakes and then walked down mount tongariro through the forests and back to the bus exhausted and with very sore feet. Not wanting to make the same mistake for tomorrows activity we had and early night.

Up on Saturday and extremely scared. Today the 3 of us would be jumping out of a plane at 15000 feet! We drove out to the airfield and had our briefing on how our brains would not function for the first 60 seconds where we would be free falling out of the sky! After watching the dvd of previous jumps and freaking ourselves out even more. Our names were called and we were sent to be suited up and meet our jump partner. We each had our own cameraman and man who we would entrust our lives with in the enxt 10 minutes and we drove out to meet our plane. We flew up to 15000ft strapped to our partner and being handed oxygen masks to help us breathe at this altitude. When we reached our maximum height the door flew open and Fleur disappeared from view. Next up I waved good bye to Clare and then shuffled forward for my turn. I was perched on the edge of the plane with my legs tucked underneath and my head pushed back with a cameraman right in front of me to catch the look of hooro on my face. 1,2,3 and I was pushed forwards. It was the strangest feeling, dropping out the sky and i couldnt take in what i was seeing but i tried my best to wave and smile at the cameraman through the screaming and the swearing! After 1 minute the parachute opened and we floated towards the ground taking in the views of Lake Taupo below and feeling slightly queasy when Ryan decided to practice his spinning skills. Landed on my feet and screamed and danced with the other 2 on the ground. On a high we went out for lunch and a celebratory glass of wine before heading back to get ready for our last night out together, as Clares off to Rotorua to work and me and Fleur carry on south to River Valley...