Dear all I have been in 'Aotearoa' (the land of the long white cloud) otherwise know as New Zealand for 1 and a half months now. I have settled in Christchurch for a week and have finally found time to catchup on my emails. Traveling New Zealand has been fantastic. I arrived in Auckland on the 4th April, this was quite a shock to the system as Sydney had been really hot, Auckland was quite the contrary. I visited the Auckland Skytower which provides an impressive view of the city. I also explored Devenport and Mt Victoria; got some great pictures of the bridge and harbor. I meet Charlotte a fellow Winscombe Wanderer and we began our travels on the Kiwi Experience Bus. The first destination was Paihia (Bay of Islands) staying in a hostel named the Pipi Patch. Meet a Cambridge fellow named Oly who joined myself and Charlotte on a dolphin excursion. The dolphins were fascinating creatures to watch, but exceptionally difficult to photograph (got lots of pictures of the deep blue sea). Regrettably we were not able to swim with these creatures as they had young baby dolphins with them. The following day we ventured up to Cape Reinga to explore the light house at the northern most point of NZ. I also tried sand boarding a giant sand dune; wicked fun even if you do end up with a mouth full of sand at the end. The next day I visited some Maori Statues (the indigenous inhabitants) which looked very pornographic (see Photos). I also went to the site where 1840 the waitomo treaty was signed. This was a sacred treaty which granted Maori tribes protection from foreign invaders and British citizenship from the crown. This enabled NZ to proper as a British colony, although the Maori people affectively (& perhaps unwittingly) signed away ownship of their land. (that's the history lesson out of the way) I returned to Auckland for a night before heading to Mercury bay. We meet our driver Amon or 'Hot lips' as he was more commonly known. I got to know the rest of the group including three lads named Max, Ali and Corey who were making a backpacker documentary for channel 4. Also meet Emily a bubbly blonde would flirted wildly with me in Gilligans hotel, Australia. Unfortunately she was so drunk she had little recollection of who I was. Also meet Tom an Alex two wicked English blokes. Fish and chips was for dinner (or Fush and Chups as the Kiwi's pronounce it) was ordered for all..yum. The next day we drove to Karangahake Scenic reserve, everyone hoped off the bus and yomped across two swing bridges only to be greeted by Helen Clark the NZ prime minister! Apparently she was opening a walkway which had just been completed. I was amazed by the lack of security, got some snaps and explored the old goldmine shafts. Motoring on we reached our next destination Rotorua or sulphur city as it is otherwise known. This place is abundant in thermal activity and explains why everything smells like rotten eggs. Prior to arriving in Rotorua everyone had ago at Luging, basically a go kart powered purely by gravity. The Kiwi experience gang approached this hair raising coarse Grand prix style. Ten of us stormed the track. I managed to beat a german girl in a nail biting finish. (not before cutting up a few innocent bystanders). Charlotte and I also had a go at the sky Swing which looked tame enough until you start hurling over a valley at 150 km per hour in a metal Cage; AWESOME! Charlotte left a puddle of excitement in her seat; Yep she wet her self! Once everyone had checked into Hot Rock back packers we went onto the Maori experience tour. We learned about the seven canoes which had originally colonized the NZ. A lad called Oly was nominated as our chieftain. It was Oly's duty to perform the Te Waro 'the Challenge'. He was met by the host Maori warrior who did their best to intimidate him. He held his ground and accepted the 'Teka' peace offering. We were all lead into the Maori Village and shown how warriors trained for combat and how the women crafted baskets and prepared the Hangi earth oven. We were treated to a feast after the entertainment and Oly was awarded a necklace for his efforts. I also tried the 'Hongi' the Maori version of the hand shake. You press your nose against your guest and exchange breaths. (best not to try if you have a snotty cold) I visited Waitomo and meet Nick a student and Helen a pharmacist. I got on really well with them and we explored the mud park. Stayed overnight in a YHA hostel with stunning back drops. Also taught a Danish Guy to throw a rugby ball, he was pretty good at it after my lesson too. You know who you are Henrik! Feeling adventurous I had ago at the 'Black Abyss' a five Hour Abseiling/Caving and tubing excursion. I had to put on a rather fetching thermal wet-suit and helmet. We began by abseiling 35m into a hole in the ground. Then we zip lined in total darkness further into the depths of the cave; really cool! We were introduced to gollum your friendly neighborhood Eel (who I was assured only eats Americans). Then we were told we were to jump into the icy waters with an inflatable rubber tube. Our Guide pulled us along the cave, the glow worms were fantastic. It was like looking at stars from underground. These 'worms' are technically carnivorous maggots, but apparently marketing them as such only attracted blood thirsty Australians. The light that the glow worms emit is actually enzymes breaking down their excrement. Our guide was quick to point out 'that the sun shines out of their Arse'. We clambered on through the next work of underground caves, over waterfalls and before I new it we were climbing out into daylight. The whole experience flew by, 3 hours underground felt like 1. It was really neat although I was grateful for hot soup an bread. In Taupo, stayed at Urban retreat Hostel had a big night out in the holy cow club. Had a go at the Tongariro Crossing, the weather was freezing. The Devils staircase was really steep. I considered scaling the Ngaruahoe Mountain (the Mt used as MOUNT DOOM in LOTR) but it was madness to try and attempt in the circumstances. We clambered on, eventually the weather improved and the views of the national park were fantastic. My hat goes off to Frodo, It's a tough climb. The Next Day Everyone had a go at skydiving. I wasn't nervous at all until I was upto 12000ft and they opened the plane door! Oly was the first to jump, my stomach was doing somersaults at this point. Before I knew it my legs were dangling out of the plane and Patrick my instructor said 'ready steady go!' AGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH...........OHHHH SHHHHITTTTTTTTTTTTT.....WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO....YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH The most adrenaline pumping 40 seconds of my life. I loved it! The freefall was the best bit for me, but once the shoot had opened we gracefully descended to mother earth. It was a beautiful clear day and I had a great view of Taupo, Mt Doom and the Tongario national park. I landed in fine fashion; flat on my arse! I was euphoric for the rest of the morning 8-) Meet Andy a fella I had been traveling with in Thailand, it was great to catch up. Next stop River Valley for some white water rafting on the Rangitikei River. This was wicked, me and Oly took the lead at the front of the boat. Or Guide taught us the basic paddling techniques and most importantly how to stay in the raft! The river began quite tamely but got progressively more difficult as we went further down stream. I can now say I successfully negotiated a grade 5 Olympic standard rapid. Admittedly our raft did get stuck on a rock half way. It was hard work paddling but really worthwhile. Our driver took us through the strange town of Bulls where everything is a play on the word bull e.g. the police station is the Consta-bull, the toilets are the reliever-a-bull, rubbish was Rufuse-a-bull etc. Wellington the 'windy city' was next, had a cracking night in Boogie wonderland complete with John Travolta style Dance Floor. Shame I didn't bring my Platform shoes! Crossing the ferry to the south Island I journeyed on through Picton, Nelson, and Westport. Saw a rather disturbing Maori Film 'once we were warriors' very gritty. Had the best night out ever at Les' place near lake mahinapua. Everyone got dressed up as hospital people or something beginning with 'P'. I considered going as a penis but I didn't have the balls for it! Instead I settled on a pirate complete with hat, sword, and sock puppet parrot. Among the other people there was a Paramedic, Porn Star, Patient, and a Pedophile. It was a brilliant evening, the drink flowed freely and the atmosphere was wicked. The next day we entered the franz Josef Glacier township. I had ago at the full day hike up the Glacier. I was kitted out with crampons (Spikes on your shoes) which allowed me to climb the ice, and I even got an ice axe which is next to useless but looks cool. I left my name in the snow so I was a happy bunny. On the glacier we climbed through tunnels and over deep crevices. Or Guide chiseled steps in the ice for us to follow. Without doubt the best hike I have ever experienced. Not content with one sky dive under my belt I decided to have another go at it. So I jumped out of a rather rickety old plane at 7am in the morning with a bloke called Rod strapped to my back. The scenery was stunning of Mt Cook and Mt Tasman. The freefall seemed longer this time and my instructor flipped me on exit so I saw the plane disappear from view. The instructor even let me have a go at steering the parachute using the handles which I enjoyed. I had a look at the mirror lakes and the magnificent town of Wanaka. The lake side walks here have to be seen to be believed. Eventually I made it to the high octane capital of NZ; Queenstown. I got persuaded into jumping the Nevis Bungy with Andy and others. This entailed a 40 minute drive out of Queenstown up a valley where you are taken to a cable car suspended 134m above the valley floor. I have never ever felt so scared. I was bricking it. In the cable car is a clear plastic floor which allows you to look all the way down. I watch others jump, suddenly I was next. They strapped my feet up and at this point my hands started to shake I was so nervous. I penguin walked over to the gang plank the instructor said 3.. 2... 1... go. Trying not to think what I was about to do, it was too late AGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH............HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. The DVD captures my bloody curdling scream rather well. Relieved to still be in one piece I was pulled back to safety. (I prompted changed my under pants) Glad I did it but never again. Wow what a rush though!!!! Feeling like I could do anything after that I had ago at canyon swinging. This was described at a more graceful version of a bungy. The valley this takes place is really nice. I tried going backwards first, that was cool.....again. Next time I tried it upside down putting my faith in the harness. The instructor said really and began counting me down from 5. 5 4 3 He pulled the release pin...(hang on what happened to 2 I thought!!!!!!!!) It felts like I am going to collide with the ground. I plummet 60m before being swung into the canyon. Sooooo much fun. Got some great pictures, have a look. Also did a circuit of the southern peninsula of NZ including Dunedin, Curio Bay, Te Anau and the spectacular Milford Sound. Had some time in ChristChurch where I said farewell to Irish Pete and Andy...gonna miss you guys! Most Recently I have been working for my accommodation and food in Cheviot north of Christchurch. This is part of a program called WOOFING and it means I curb my spending. The family I have been staying with have been ever so hospitable. In return I have been doing to creative gardening, and hacking away at hedges they feed me the best meals ever! Hoping to find work in Queenstown soon. Sorry this email is so long I got a bit carried away. Hope everyone is well back in sunny England All the Best Stephen