Hey all.

This is just a quick update for everyone back home - hope your all well.

New Years eve was awesome. We had met up with a lad called Dan from London and a girl named Kate, from Essex i think. We were in a flat/appartment so thats how we got chatting to them. Dan was a head case to be fair - he introduced himself over a 3litre box of red wine whilst we played card games at 3.30 in the afternoon. As you might imagine there was only one place that appealed to us come 5.30 - that was bed. Haha. Kate had met Dan 2 weeks prior and was much calmer. A few other guys came a few days before new year - making our group about 10 strong. Not much to reprt on from the night - well not on here anyway. Haha

New Years day was a struggle as we had a bus booked for Rotarua at 9.30am. To say i enjoyed the bus ride would be one of the biggest lies i have told yet. I spent most of the journey led out across the floor at the back sleeping. We arrived in Rotarua feeling slighty more refreshed and active. It smelt a little as its home to a lot of natural springs and hot rocks (the smell was suphur by the way). Our hostel overlooked a road and on the other side was some of these hot rocks we had heard about. That evening we strolled across and took a closer look. It was amasing to see all the lakes/rivers and what looked like normal rocks pumping out steam and bubbling as if like from a kettle. I have been told since that its from the lava and volcanic core beneath the surface.

It was Joes birthday the following day so about midday we found oursleves a small 9 hole golf course to terrorise. It was a beautiful day by the way and the sun beating down didnt help my game at all (thats the excuse i am using for the dire round that i had anyway). After Creaky had blown us away we stopped for a beer. We then headed back towards the hostel, looking for somewhere to eat that night. We stummbled across a few places and decided upon an Indian.

After dolling ourselfs up and slipping into our glad rags we made our way to the resturant, stopping at a few pubs on the way. As we walked into the resturant i felt a slap on the back of the head. As i turned around i saw a familiar face. It was a couple we had met 3 weeks prior in Fiji (Matt and Elle). It was the most sureal moment of the trip so far. We had spent about a week with them in Fiji and as far as we knew that would be the last we saw of them until Australia. Anyway we made it a table of 6 and caught up over dinner. The night became more of a blur after dinner as we ended up in the hostel bar. I ll get some pictures up when i can and you can decide for yoursleves if Joe had a good bithday.

We have now left Rotarua - Matt infact gave us a lift to Taupo (where we are now). We had all booked up to do a skydive the day we arrived in Taupo and thats why matt came with us. We had not long been at our hostel when the limo arrived to take us to the air field (the limo was not as glamourous as it may sound). We arrived and after a quick breifing i found myself kitted up and in the aircraft. Our group was split so i was with Joe and Dan and Adam would follow in the next plane.

As the altitude increased so did our anxiety levels. There was one instructor on his own - doing a solo jump. Just as we reached what i thought was almost jumping point he turned to me - shook my hand before hurling himself out the plane backwards. My eyes widened at this point. I then realised we were only half way to our 12000 ft destination. Luckily enough when we reached 12000 ft Joe was first up. He looked how i felt. Within a few seconds he was gone - hurtling towards the ground. Before i had time to stop laughing at him I was sat with my legs over the side of the plane. That was it - we left the plane and sailed towards the ground at what i was told was approx 200k/ph (i think that translates to about 120 m/ph). The feeling was immense - the thrill of jumping from a plane at such a rate was unbelievable! I would recommend anyone to do it. After what felt like 5 seconds of free falling the shoot opened. The altimeter (i think thats what its called) showed us at 5000 ft - we had fallen 7000 ft in the space of 45 seconds! My heart was racing! Haha - the video shows my emotions better than i could ever describe. Then it was time to take in the views. The weather couldnt have been better - we could see coast to coast (Lake Taupo is supposed to be the biggest in the southern hemisphere - its truely huge), we could see teh jetski's below whilst taking in the spectacular mountains in the distance (bearing in mind its the Kiwi summer its was weird seeing snowy mountain peaks). Wow what an experience. After we landed it was time to watch the dvd back and take it all in once again. You ll have a laugh watching the dvd. Now we are in Taupo and the weather is still spectacular. We leave tomorrow for Wellington - its the capital of New Zealand and will be our last stop on the north island.

Thats enough from me this time - sorry i not been able to keep it short like i always try. Take care and look foward to speaking soon.