So I left u at Christchurch.

Next stop Mount Cook. Our first big hike. And a much needed warm up after a cold cold night (1 0c) in the car. Twas a tough but rewarding 5 hour trek up and down but well worth it to see the beautiful snow capped mountain range at the top. We then stopped for a scenic lunch overlooking Lake Tekapo on the way to Dunedin which was breathtaking.

At Dunedin we encountered the steepest street in the world which was a lot of fun (not for the quads tho!). As well as a more cultured visit to the Otago Museum for a look at some cool Maori artifacts from now and back in the day.

We then travelled accross the south coast to Milford Sound-rated the number 1 must do for kiwis. Milford Sound is truely picturesque, a huge fiordland engrossed by towering mountain ranges, rainbow filled waterfalls and cute furry seals. The cruise we took through the Sound featured a free double choc muffin also, which topped the day off. After the scenic cruise we hiked up 'The Divide', a well known tramping track which offers a great view of Lake Mirian. Shortly followed by a well earnt use of our solar shower (check out the pics in the forest, nothing like a bit of naturism!). I should mention the stop at McKrackens rest too (u'll know why when u see the pic).

Queenstown. The adventure capital of the world. Great place to party. And we did. We hit the streets hard after an evening of bourbon and coke in the car! Met up with some guys we'd been on a trip with in Oz (small world!) and took to the multi-coloured dance floor that is Worlds Bar.

To help recover from the night before we took to FergBurger (not to be confused with FurrBurger!) and soaked up some leftover Bourbon with a half pounder before driving to Lake Wanaka. We then went back to school at PuzzleWorld, where I failed to solve any puzzles but amused myself for a couple of hours.

As the trip became colder and colder we got to the Glaciers. Fox's and Franz Josef. Both a real eyeful. We spent 8 hours on a guided trek up and down Franz Josef, where we endured rain, snow and freezing cold ice. Was a very cool trip; seeing your guide literally carve a staircase out of the ice for you and then have to squueze through the tiniest of gaps to get to the next wave of mystic blue ice.

Having had a day to recover from that we stomped through Abel Tasman (the most walked national park in NZ). An 11 km walk to Torrent bay for a glimpse of the North Island and some lovely sandy beaches. Then a 4km return trip to Cleopatra Falls for a play in the waterfall. Then an 11km run back to the start (which other hikers were utterly bemused at!)-must be the first tourists to run Abel Tasman. Ohh and did we know about it the next day! Anyone for DOMS?

Having slept for 3 hours on the return ferry to the North Island we stopped at Wellington for 1 more big night out. Ending up at a friends boss's leaving do in town. Here we were smothered with free booze, invited on air to feature in a radio show about addictions (which should be aired next month in NZ) and I featured in a short movie of my own which featured me running at top speed from a bunch of maori fellas who had just jumped out of a campervan and were more than pleased to see me. Rest assured all that running at Abel Tasman payed off as I am still here to tell the tale.

After a brief stop at Lower Hutt to see an old friend (cheers for the curry and the smiles Ian!) we headed north to the Tongariro Crossing (which includes the famous Mount Doom from Lord Of The Rings). Climbing Mt Doom was probably 1 of the hardest and most fun activities I have pursued since being away. It took nearly 2 hours to climb in horrible windy, steep conditions yet only 20 mins to descend. Having stopped for some boiled eggs at the top of the active volcano we had our first taste of 'scree running' back down the mountain (so much fun, google it if you've never heard of the sport, I highly recommend it).

Next stop Taupo to get some great views of the world famous lake and the Huka Falls which is the bluest, iciest (is that a word?!) water I have ever seen.

Yesterday we discovered the Waitomo Caves and took part in a tour which involved a 30m abseil into a small dark cave, black water rafting in a large inner tube, crawling through holes I could eat my breakfast out of, jumping into freezing cold water from a 10m ledge in the dark, zip lining and drinking tea with the pretty little gloworms (which turn out to be maggots pooing!). What a day. All topped off which some tomato soup and a bagel.

We are currently residing with some friends in Rotorua where I have been lucky enough to sleep in a double bed for the first time since October 2007! Shame I lack the same company I have at home (that's u Becky in case you were worrying, hehe!). Thank you so much Jann for hooking us up with your sister- she's is the perfect hostess. The next 2 days should involve a trip to the gym, some bathing in hot thermal pools, luging and a maori experience (hopefully different to my last one in Wellington!).

Oh and seeing 50 Cent live on friday night in Auckland- "Go Shorty it's your birthday". Sorry Ollie, had to mention it! Wish u were here bro. Then fly to Fiji sunday. It's a hard life, i know.

Love u all X