Ok it has taken us a while to get around to writing one of these blog entires - so we will fill you in quickly on what we have been up to in New Zealand!

Flight = s***. hated LA airport, were delayed twice, and jet lag was a b**** the next day. Nonetheless, Auckland was a lovely city. Highlights included the sky tower, the tallest building in the southern hemishphere - we watched a guy fall from the top whilst we we sat and drank tea in the cafe... he was base jumping at the time fortunately. Minus 5 bar was also fun - a bar made completely out of ice. However, do not make the mistake of going at 6pm - you will be completely on your own- but free to take as many silly photos as you like. Post jet lag we started on the kiwi experience, and met our first driver jono - who possibly has the filthiest mouth in all of New Zealand. First day weather sucked, went to cathedral cove where we learnt the hard way the strength of the waves in NZ! Spent our first night in Mercury bay where we shared a room with our soon to be bestest travel buds - Caroline and Sandy (who feature in many of our photos!) the four of us did appear to be the only over 18s on the bus at the time!!

Next day - Rotorua - known for its geothermal activity - and its strong smell of rotton eggs! Quite amusing to see steam billowing from the ground though. Zorbing was hysterical. Went to a maori concert in th evening, and ate a hangi feast (cooked in the ground) - wicked night, highlight was seeing the men perform the haka. After Rotorua was waitamo, where we did "black water caving" - quite terrifying to start opff with upon larning we'd be jumping backwards off waterfalls in pitch black caves... quickly got over our fear though as we we're laughing too much to care about the eels and spiders surrounding us! Lovely to float in complete darkness following the trail of thousands of glow worms on the cave ceilings.

After driving for hours upon end through NZ national parks we reached Lake Taupo. Rhian got up at half past 5 to do the Tongariro crossing - an arduous 8 hour trek around Mount Doom from LOTR. Hannah was put off by the mention of the devils staircase - and spent the day on the beach!

River Valley was an interesting stop - stayed in a lodge in the middle of nowhere (literally) Our room held 20 in what was basically a giant communal bunk bed - a very cheap night! After a very heavy night for one os us (Rhian) we spent 3 hours the next mroning riding horses around the valley - beautiful views. Shame Rhian's horse was a psycho - she got kicked twice after "Turk" tried to take a bite out of one horse, and push Hannah's over a hill. Lots of fun though. thighs are still hurting a week on!

Next day Wellington, the capital of NZ. Not much else to say about it to be honest, clubs were good, although music blaring next to our hostel until 6 am did not impress us - Te Papa museum worth a look, very very windy. It was here we bid farewell to caroline - our favourite Irish companion, as she went back up north, and we made the crossing to the South Island.

Nelson was our first port of call - were turned away from a winery (not because we had drunk too much on the ferry!) Stopped in the afternoon at a river where Rhian was stupid enough to jump in the freezing water - she jas just about regained the feeling in her toes! Highlight was the size of the single scoop ice cream - banana chocolate chip rocked our world! We sadly also left Sandy here, and proceeded to our next destination 2 lonely travellers, all alone (with 48 other passengers)

Westport was pretty dull, Hannah fell in love with a cat and proceeded to spend the evening ignoring Rhian in favour of her new companion. Spent the afternoon jet boating - very funny, got soaked - Hannah's choice of white trousers was not the wisest!

The next evening was the infamous "poo pub" in Lake Mahanapua. this west coast pub probably only sees kiwi experience passengers as is in the middle of nowhere! run by a crazy old man called Les - we had a fancy dress party there - very funny dressing up as children and old folk!

Travelled up to Franz Josef today where we will be underatking an 8 hour glacier trek tomorrow - whether this was a wise decision or not we will let you know!

kia Ora - missing you all (not as much as you are missing us though!) Will write again soon!