After another night in Kaikoura, where I managed another swim (yay!) and a spa, we headed up to Picton to make the crossing from north to south island.The ferry trip was actually pretty awesome and can not be compared to the P&O dover to Cal! Had a wkd time braving the winds on deck and saying bye to south island. One night in Welllington and I decided I could live there! A bit like Melbourne! Very kool. Jumped on the bus up to Taupo next day and got off with the hope of foing the Tongario crossing! Turns out our luck was in and we managed to grab a trip the next day! have to say it was one of the best things in NZ. The early morning start was a bit of a pain 5.00am- first time in 2007...but it had to be done. jumped on the shuttle bus with Kate- surprisingly churpy for that time in the morning...and then headed over to mount Doom (lord of the rings volcano- all good). they dropped us off and then we walked. And climbed and walked some more. The devils staircase is a bit of a .. but apart from that i didnt reckon it was too bad. the weather helped loads cos we could see lots of the top and walking pat a volcano was pretty kool! :) good day. did it in about 6hours i think! Would yuou believe my Lonsdale trainers made it all that way. i was a bit worried to be honest- they have no sole and i could feel everyrock but really they are the best trainers ever invented! who needs all this hiking gear, i think my 5dollar fleece and my 15pound trainers did the job. Pretty windy at the top of a mountain! take a hat.

Evening was back in the hostel with alot of moaning people with sore limbs! Not me and kate. we had an awesome night out in town, an irish bar, a few others and one with poles on table. Good job the whole of taupo was empty and it was just us. Rubbish at pole dancing and kareoke- good job im brilliant at everything else i do hey!

:)

Suz

xxx