Hey All,

So just realised it's been 7 weeks today since we left home! Crazy! Means Will is half way through his trip and I'm about 1/4 through mine! It's gone so quickly but we have already done so much in that time!

Sooo I totally forgot to mention an amazing trip we went to in Queenstown... A place called Milford Sounds based in the Fiords National Park. Included a two hour boat trip with views of mirror lakes, waterfalls and native New Zealand Forest. Included a trip in the deep underwater observatory and a hot buffet lunch! Was a great day, long (12 hours there and back) but we nearly didn't get there! A few hours after we departed from Queenstown, the bus broke down! Actually the clutch went.. b*****! The driver was like 'ummm let's stop here to check out this amazing view' (not that amazing!) we all knew the bus wasn't suppose to make those noises! The driver flagged down another bus heading to the Sounds and myself and 8 friends travelled the rest of the journey with Go Milford Express! We all thought the rest of the 50 passagers would manage to do the same thing.. on the way home our new driver informed us no one else made it! Oops lucky day for us! Check out pics from Queenstown to see thr Sounds.

Soo since the last entry... Spent a night chilling in Wellington, then said goodbye to the capital city and headed north. Travelled up the stunning Kapiti coast, littered with heaps of rugged, yet beautiful beaches and small commuter towns. We also drove past Kapiti Island, one of New Zealand's many native bird sanctuarys. We headed through Tongariro National Park once more and got back to Lake Taupo. This the beautiful place where we did our SkyDive of the way South! We loved it so much the first time we decided to stay here 4 nights and enjoy the gorgeous weather and relaxing beaches from the lake.

Whilst here we also visited the hot water waterfalls... (pictures to come) where the average water temp was about 30-40oC due to the volcanic activity in the area. Was lovely! Oh and Free... Score! And watched a few beautiful sunsets from the beach.. pictures attached :) Oh and we went to see New Zealand's only Circus.. us four were the only one's there without kids but hey we enjoyed it! Clare and I played Mum and Dad!

After a lovely relaxing time in Taupo, we continued to head North and entered Rotorua where we had a few nights of drunken fun! We left Rotorua this morning and made our way back into New Zealand's biggest City, Auckland. The City we flew into 7 weeks from today! We strange being back in such a massive city! Not sure I mentioned before but 1/3 of New Zealand's population live in Auckland! Nearly 2 million people.. which is more people that live in the South Island alone! Auckland nicknamed 'The City of Sails' claims 3 out of 4 residents own a boat of some kind!

The City is abit crazy today as it's due to hold 'The Big Day Out' NZ's biggest music festival in a few days.. Being on the Kiwi Experience we are always guaranteed the first nights accommdation in every place.. so tonight we got into a hostel.. tomorrow was a different matter! Literally everywhere was booked out for this festival but at 5pm today I managed to find a twin.. tad more expensive but it seemed like the only bed left in Auckland!

So spending the rest of tonight and tomorrow chilling in Auckland, catching up on internet things, washing etc before picking up our camper van at 8am on the 15th! Dead excited! First stop... Raglan.. World class surfing town! Where I shall attempt to Surf like a seal! We'll be in the CamperVan for 10 days.. so internet, laudary etc will be in short supply! However there is enough places around in the bigger cities to use hopefully when we need them :)

Thats all for now, hope the snow is melting and your all enjoying the New Year so far :) Love to you all and miss you lots!

Check in soon :)

xxxxxx