So I am nearing the end of my New Zealand adventure, and it has been WICKED! Here's what I've been up to the past couple of weeks.... Spent a couple of days in Wellington - made the most of the opportunity to sleep late after getting up to watch the Germany v Sweden and England v Ecaudor matches which was cool. Met some lovely English lads - Baz and Dave, and they took good care of me! Then on the road again up to Taupo. Where I did a skydive. OH MY GOD!! Yeah - that was pretty scary! Felt really calm until I was on the edge of the plane (funnily enough) - but it was amazing despite me keeping my eyes shut for alot of the freefall - what a waste! The views over the Lake were amazing though and it was totally worth it for that alone! After that adrenaline experience I decided to kick back and chill for a few days, so headed off on the 'East As' tour. Three days along the East coast via Napier, Gisbourne (stayed at a Surf School on the beach - amazing), Rangitukia and Tekaha. At Rangitukia we stayed at a Farm Stay and did some bone carving - seriously, I made a necklace out of a piece of cow. mental. Pretty cool making some traditional Maori jewellery though. We also ate a 'Hangi' which is a traditional Maori dish cooked underground on hot stones. YUM! We got up at 630 the next morning and watched the sun rise at one of the most Easterly points on the Island where the sun rises first in the world. Cool. Then in TeKaha we stayed in a Homestay - basically just someones house! Paul the guy who owns the place was such a large character and really made us feel at home. The people there sung us a traditional welcome song and we had to sing one back! It was great. His house was right on the waters edge with a hot tub which seems like you are sitting in the sea! This part of my trip has been the most cultural and chilled and the landscape on the East Coast was just beautiful, I really enjoyed it. Then onto Rotorua. Which smells of rotten eggs from the Sulphur. But its not too bad and you can trump as much as you like and no one even notices. Good news for me. Whilst there I went to the Polynesian Spa and sat in the hot pools - it was great - I havent had a bath in 3 months so I was very happy! We also went to the traditional Mauri village where they welcomed us with traditional rituals and talked to us about the culture. They did some singing and dancing which was fantastic. I really enjoyed it and took lots of pictures - mainly for mum as there were some hotties in loin clothes that I think she would like! We also had the Hangi meal again and thoroughly stuffed ourselves on roast lamb and chicken, potatoes and veggies and lots of delicious puds. Very nice! We were shown how to meet in the Mauri culture by performing the 'Hongi' where you shake hands with your right hand and touch noses. A brilliant night. After leaving Rotorua I headed on up to Auckland and spent one night there before catching the bus up to the Bay of Islands. Stayed in Paihia in a cool hostel which had its one bar and pool and hot tub. Too cold for swimming but the hot tub was a winner! Met some nice people in my dorm and spent the night drinking with them. Paihia is lovely and I imagine in the summer you could easily spend a week there just chilling out on the beach. The next day we took the bus up to Cape Reinga via 90 mile beach. So weird to be driving along a beach on a bus! Anyone can drive along it as long as you treat it as you would road with the same rules. Beyond the beach we stopped at the sand dunes and did some sand boarding. Literally just throwing yourself down a hill on a board like sledging head first! Mums wooden trays would have sped down those dunes! It was wicked. The only downside climbing back up the dunes which was thirsty work but good for the thighs! We then had lunch at Tapotupotu Bay - a beautiful spot, then onto Cape Reinga where the Pacific and Tasman sea meet. This is a spot of real importance for the Maori people as they believe that when you die your spirit travels back up the country and leaves New Zealand for the Ancestral lands via the Cape. We then drove back to Paihia via Mangoniu where we had fish and chips sitting looking at the bay. What a fantastic day. The next day a group of us went Kayaking from Paihia across to Russell Island and had breakfast there then Kayaked round some of the small Islands just of Paihia until lunchtime which was really good. We then headed back to Auckland in time to head out on the lash for the night! Excellent fun. And here I am - leaving Auckland on Monday for Perth. I have absolutely loved New Zealand and all the different things I have experienced. The scenery has been amazing especially on the East Coast and Bay of Islands and I am definately coming back again when I dont have to wear winter clothes! The Kiwi Experience has been such a great way to meet people and have fun and I would definately recommend it. Missing you all - photos to follow soon xx