So now we are in Westport and although it has only been a week since i last wrote there is so much that we have done. In fact this is probably the first day we have stopped since we started the Kiwi Exp.

Last time i wrote we had just travelled to Waitomo after doing white water sledging that morning in Rotorua (the smelliest town in NZ- something to do with the sulpher there). In Waitomo that night we all had a big BBQ (thanks to Maa and Alex (our Moari chief on our Mouri night) who cooked it all for us). After the BBQ Maa took us all in the bus to Ruankuri to do a late night walk to see glowworms (they actually look like u are looking into a night sky- they look like little sparkly stars!). The walk was brilliant, we were all given candles and we had to walk up steps, round cliffs, through caves etc in virtual darkness (not tellin a lie- we r all lucky to have suvived it- esp as Faye was constantly dripping hot wax on our toes and nearly making us fall down the side of the cliff!!! ). It was probably one of the funniest and most memorable nights we've had here and i doubt we'll do any thing like it again!

The following morning we all did a caving adventure in the Waitomo caves. Myself, Anne, Jess and Faye (plus a couple of randoms) did the black Abyss adventure whilst the others did the Labyrinth which was a bit less hardcore (but still good). This was one of my favourite activities and i will definately recommend it to anyone!!! We had to Absail down a 35 tight dark drop into the cave, which was harder than i thought it would be. Once down there we did a flying fox (a zip liner- you attatch your harness to a rope which goes downwards from one side of the cave to another), which was great fun- esp as our guides (Hop and Louisa) made us turn off our head torchs for it. We then jumped down about 4ft with our rubber tubes into the FREEZING water and pulled ourselves along a rope for a while looking at the glowworms and learning a bit more about New Zealand and it's Mouri culture from our guides (that's one of the things i love most about New Zealand- that it has such strong culture. For example, all the original Mouri names for places are still used and even before our white water sledging we were given a Mouri prayer). After the tubing we had to walk through the cave and squeeze through tight spaces (luckily i didn't put on too much weight in Oz otherwise i'd still be down there now!!!) and eventually we had to climb up three waterfalls to get out of the caves. In total we were underground for about 3 hours and even though it was quite strenuous and i don't think i've ever been so cold in my life- it was an absolutely unforgettable experience!

after that we made our way to Taupo after stopping at the Haka falls on the way for a look. That night we all went to Mulligans (for a pub quiz...which we lost :( ) and then on to Holy Cow for a bit of a dance before bed.

The next morning was very exciting as we did our SkyDives!! It was amazing!! we could look down on Mount Doom (form Lord of the Rings) and Tongariro national Park and Lake taupo. The free fall part was the best bit though!!! (u can see the video of me doing it in this blog). The only thing that put a slight damper on it was poor Faye. She got so excited after that she hit herself in the tooth with one of her harness buckles and chipped it (even worse considering it was her birthday the next day!). But we sent her straight off to the dentist and now its as good as new!! Whilst Faye was being fixed we were off trying to get stuff to surprise her with for her birthday the next day.

So the next day was the 22nd and Fayes special day. We woke her up with a chocolate cake (even though we have given up chocolate for lent she had special priveledges cos its her birthday) and a cup of tea and Nat kept her distracted whilst we decorated the bus with pink balloons and birthday banners. we also all had party hats to wear (incl Mar our driver) and Faye had a tiara and a wand. it was really nice, the whole bus sang to her as she got on.

That day we did a couple of hours walk to see the Taranaki falls and then later a short walk to the Tawhai falls, which is a 10ft waterfall that you can jump off. A few boys did it and Faye wanted too but couldn't do it...so i said i'd do it for her... I'VE NEVER BEEN SO SCARED!!! seriously it doesn't look that high until you are standing on the edge looking down! But after A LOT of coaxing and eventually john offering to do it with me i jumped!! The water was freezing! But it was so worth it! (plus i was the only girl that did it!!!)

That night we stayed at River Valley Lodge and had a little birthday party for Faye after enjoying a roast dinner. We were pretty much all in this huge dorm room which didn't have beds but instead 4 rows of mattresses lined up next to each other...hmm very odd but funny.

The next morning we played and sunbathed by Rangitikei until everyone was ready to leave for Wellington.

We didn't do much in Wellington except go out in the evening because we didn't get there until late and then we had to leave very early the next morning to catch our Ferry across the Cook Straight to Nelson.

Again by the time we got to Nelson it was late afternoon so we just chilled and went to bed and were up early again the next day to head to Westport (where we are now). On the way here we stopped at Nelson Lakes national park to do a walk around Lake Rotoiti which is really beautiful as it is surrounded by snowcapped mountains. When we arrived at Westport we checked into our rooms (we somehow managed to nab the best one- it is more like a huge funky apartment with a kitchen, bathroom and lounge!!!) and then went for a bonfire on the beach.

Our bus (with our driver Mar) left this morning but we decided to stay an exra day here. we had lost most of our friend from the bus in other towns and now our bus was practically an all girl bus- and we didn't know any of them-so we thought we would wait for the others to catch us up, we also thought it would be a good chance to stop and rest as we haven't had a chance to even do any washing since we arrived (i kno- stinky girls). But i'm really looking forward to tomorrow now and carrying on- now that i have recharged a bit!!!!!