Just did a sky dive at Lake Taupo - was absolutely fantastic and i have never been so scared in my life! You could see for miles and when i wasn't scared about my shoes falling off it was just indescribably amazing.

We've been in NZ for almost 2 weeks now and it is lovely if not a little cold. Did a bit of jumper shopping in auckland and bumped into my friend Clare who we met by chance 3 times in America as well as here and we're meeting up for her birthday in Christchurch.

Jumped on The Kiwi bus 8:30 Monday morning and off we went - the day basically consists of stopping to do various walks around gorgeous hills, mountains, caves and coves. It's so untouched here it's absolutely beautiful.

We then stop every afternoon/night at a lovely youth hostel/lodge thats usually small and friendly with a bar and a happy hour that lasts at least 3! Theres no getting round that either because thats the way you get friendly with people - theres a certain amount of chatting on the bus but not an awful lot until the drink gets flowing!

We started off with a bus that had about 25 ppl - we're down to about 15 now but its all the better for it . We all get on so well now and are sharing dorms. Night before last we went down to a place called River Valley - the middle of nowhere, but thats where the best Rafting and Horse Trekking is - i passed on the rafting since i have already done it in England and i decided to save money i'd just do the things i've never done - not an easy task in the adventure country of the world - its not easy to keep saying no - but hey!

Anyway this place was fantastic - fire in the middle of the lounge and a roast dinner! I was in heaven until i woke up the next morning (after horse trekking) in so much pain - i have muscles i didn't know i had!

We're in Wellington now - going to the cinema where Lord of the Rings was premiered - Sarahs rather large obsession knows no limits! Although i did get quite excited when our guide yesterday told us that him and his horses had been in both Lord of the Rings and The Last Samurai!