I climbed Mount Doom which was amazing! It is 2291 metres high and it felt like it too! It was worth it for the view and the Lord of the Rings pilgrimage (I am not actually a proper fan of the Trilogy but I did enjoy the films).

The Tongariro crossing was hard work but a really great day out. I am very glad i did it.

Whilst in Taupo I went for a swim in the lake, which has its own beach and is the second largest volcanic crater in the world (the lake is big enough to fit Singapore inside it).

I then went on to River Valley on friday.

River Valley is an activity lodge in the middle of nowhere (literally, you have to drive about 2 hours to find any other civilisation). It is a beautiful place and proabably my favorite accomodation to have stayed in so far.

I went horse riding which was good fun (I am building the number of sports I have done while away). Chesnut was my horse and he was FAST. I did some cantering around and had a race with some of the Kiwi Experience guys (admittedly I lost but that was my fault not Chesnuts because my feet came out of the stirups).

I had a good night in the lodge. For a start I had a lovely roast dinner and then played an interesting game of leaning. You have to lean as far over as you can and place a matchbox on the ground while your partner counter-balances you. Furthest lean wins. simple but fun!

The next morning I had breakfast and played volley ball before leaving River Valley for Wellington.

We arrived in Wellington in the early evening and checked into the hostel. I had a good night out on Wellington's main strip (yes, more Irish bars) with Brian, James and Steve who I had done the horse riding with.

I met Jacob the next morning and we went back to his house which is at the top of the cable car.

It's really nice to be staying in a home and Jacob's family (parents Jeremy and Val and sister Elke) are really nice and I am very grateful for their hospitality.

I saw the museum of New Zealand, Te Papa, today which was far too huge to get around in one day but I had a good go at it.

I have seen two plays whilst here in Wellington as part of the International Arts Festival. I saw the Scottish National Theatre's Black Watch and the Sydney Theatre Company's Blackbird.

Both were very good but I thoroughly recommend Black Watch.

I'm going to have a look around funky Cuba tomorrow and perhaps do some indoor climbing.

All is going well! (and its true - the Wellington Wind is very powerful!)