We arrived in Wanaka at 6pm and drove past the famous lake where we stopped and had a brief walk about. We went and checked into a hostel and spent the evening here catching up on news from back home etc. Following day we headed back to the lake to have another wander in the daylight and truly is a huge Lake. I think this is the fourth biggest lake in New Zealand and is 300metres deep in places!!! How about that for some interesting facts there!!! After this we...

So after a days rest from the snow boarding we deaprted for Wellington, where we would be getting the ferry over to the South Island. We arrived in the afternoon but the next available ferry was not until 3am!!! We wasted some time in Wellington by going up to the Mount Victoria lookout point which had views over the city and sea. Pretty windy up here as was Wellington in general and certainly didnt inspire me for a comfortable journey across to the south. Went t...

Found a nice lodge to stay in upon arrival here. More expensive then had been paying at $65 night between us but since not a lot else here and this is snow resort so prices will be higher we decided to stay here. Up next morning and headed to local shop to hire all gear (jacket, trousers, goggle, gloves etc) and board and boots. Managed to get all gear for $45 for the day!!!! That is unbeleivable price really is. We then headed up the 17km drive to the mountain ...

Once arrived at Waitomo we checked in at recption of the Black Abyss Caing centre where we were to go on a 3 hour tour experience of the caves. We were ferried to the start point by minibus after getting kitted up and there we had a couple practice goes down a hill using the abseil gear. We were then ready for the off. We repelled 35metres down into the black cave. From here we ventured deeper into the caves. We were then met by pitch blackness as we were told to...

Arrived at Rotorua at 5pm and the intial smell of eggs was totally overpowering. This place is full of hot natural springs which is lovely for those who wish to relax in the natural heated pools, not so good for the suphur and the smell of eggs that this then surrounds the area in!!! That evening we booked ourselves on plenty of activites to keep us occupied and out of trouble over next few days. We booked into a room above a pub (just a coincidence this time, si...