Our little commonwealth group broke up when we left Rotorua. The girls and I headed off to Taupo and Dee was staying behind to do the white water rafting.

When we arrived in Taupo, those who were hoping to attempt the skydive and do the Tongariro Crossing (something I would have loved to do but my stupid foot is still hurting) were sorely disappointed as the weather was shite so any skydiving and crossings were cancelled. The Tongariro Crossing is said to be one of the best day hikes in NZ and takes 6-8 hours to complete. I hope to get back up to Taupo early in the New Year if my foot is better to do it. I guess they filmed a lot of LOTR up there, and the weather is extremely changeable so you really have to go prepared.

In Taupo we took a ride on the Huka Jet which does around 80km per hour then suddenly does a 360 degree spin, as the boat turns on it's own length!

There was lots of screaming and laughing as we busted along a river lined with native bush and natural hot springs. The boat driver whipped past (and very close to) lots of rocks and trees. Of course we all had life jackets and rain coats. We travelled up to the very base of the Huka Falls, past the Wairakei Thermal Power Station, Prawn Park and the Aratiatia Dam. The Huka Falls were huge and when you're looking at it from the river below it's even more sensational!

That night Nat, Janet and I took another thermal soak at the Taupo springs, very cheap again. Then we headed out to a pub, hmm what was it called? Mad Cow? Laughing cow? Something Cow, anyway and hung out for a bit. :) The next day we were on our way to windy Wellington. We passed what was Mount Doom in the LOTR movies and it was very impressive.