On my first day in Taupo I decided it'd be a good idea to throw myself out of a plane at 15,000ft. I'd originally decided 12,000ft but then after adding in the DVD and photos it made sense to go higher. Obviously. A good bit of drawing weatcountry slang on my arms and jutting up and we were in the sky looking down at the lake and mountains around it.

I remember the door at the back opening and six people were suddenly gone: two skydivers, their tandems and the cameramen. Gulp. We then got given oxygen masks as we climbed even higher and then before I knew it I was second of the three 15,000ft jumpers, feet hanging over the edge of the plane, looking into oblivion. Then came the weirdest feeling of my life as I fell screaming noiselessly, first thinking "what the hell have I just done?" then my brain turning to mush as the euphoria/adrenaline kicked in. I remember first gripping my harness straps like it'd keep me alive, then going mental with my mouth open the whole time. My minute of freefall felt like half that. The slow parachute back to earth was peaceful and beautiful and I was babbling like an idiot for the next few hours. No change there, then. An amazing experience.

We checked out the Huka Falls before dropping in to Taupo for skydiving etc. I was totally up for a big night out after skydiving but everyone seemed pretty tired and places weren't that full. I still managed to be out until 1am once the adrenaline finally stopped.

I spent almost all of my next day searching for the necessary gear for doing the Tongariro Northern Circuit, one of New Zealand's great walks. I've booked into two huts for a three day hike in the volcanic mountains that are home to Mount Doom and Mordor in the Lord Of The Rings films.

So if anyone doubted my geek status, let them think again, as I am now the proud owner of my very own Thermos. I even have thermal leggings and a saucepan. Happy days. I also managed to send seven DVDs of photos back home for mum and dad to guard with their lives.

As the sun was setting, I got to the Thermal Spa park with its hot water stream to sit and burn or freeze depending on where the water was flowing. A quick jog back home and another impromptu night out (Lisa had returned from her whistlestop revisit of Rotorua) meant I got back very late. Again. My poor bank balance...