Hello everyone!
Sorry its been SOOOOOOOOOOOO long, I have either been really busy or really lazy over the last two weeks, so never got round to doing a blog. Which means I have so much to write about I just want to keep putting it off! But I will try my hardest to continue.
Right I'm not sure if I wrote about Queenstown in New Zealand last time so I shall start from there. First things first, it was amazing! I had the best 3 nights ever in Queenstown and could probably of stayed another 3 on top. The first day we arrived and went to the first commercial bungy jump site called the Kawarua Bridge. Its 43 metres high over a river. We watched a couple of people jump which was fun, and it totally reaffirmed that I wanted to do a jump so I booked a jump for the next day. Later on we checked into our hostel and explored the town. It's a really beautiful place, its on the edge of a giant lake and has mountains surrounding it. Plus we had clear blue skies most days which was fantastic. At night we checked out some of the local bars and meet up with all the people from our bus. Needless to say it was a very drunken affair, but I great night nonetheless.
The next day I woke up fairly earlier for my jump. I had booked the Nevis Bungy Jump, which is the biggest in New Zealand and the 3rd highest in the world coming in at 134 metres from a suspended platform in the middle of a valley. You'd think I'd be crapping it, but I felt pretty calm. There was a 45 minute bus journey to the place (delaying the agony probably) and then they take you over to the platform in what can only be described as a bucket which could only hold 4 or 5 people at a time. We jumped in weight order so, of course I had to go last (I knew I should of eaten more cereals that morning!) I was probably there for about two hours watching everyone jump before me! They had a glass floor so you could watch people and everyone was trying to keep each others moral up, it really felt like you were about to face your own death. As more people jumped they were taken back to the land, so by the time my turn arrived there were only 4 of us. They strapped my legs up in what looked like a gyno/dentist chair and then clipped the rope on. At this point I had a million thought running through my head, and I'm shaking slightly even now thinking about it, but mainly I wasn't sure if I was able to jump off, because you weren't allowed to just fall cos you might hit the ropes underneath. But i shuffled over to the edge and they counted down from 3, and just jumped as far forward as possible and watched the ground race towards me. It was the biggest rush I have ever felt. The wind was pulling my face back and the recoil sent me flying upwards. The scariest bit was probably at the end when you have to pull a rope to release your feet (your in a harness) so its more comfortable to pull you up, but you can't help but think 'what if i just fall?!?!?' They pulled me up and I could feel the blood rushing through my fingers and my heart was beating so fast but I wanted to do it again! If you ever go to New Zealand, it's the one thing I believe you have to do. Plus the guys who were running the jump site said I did the best jump of the day which soothed my ego quite abit.
Afterwards I just felt tired after all the adrenaline, so only went for a walk and looked around some shops. In the evening we went and tried out the world famous Ferg Burgers which was delicious! They are basically really big, freshly made burgers and worth every cent! The next day was my last day in Queenstown so we decided to do some really cool stuff. At about lunch time we took the gondola up the side of the mountain to check out some amazing views. I got some great pictures and a real sense of how amazing the south island is. I really doubt anything could top it. Also on top of the mountain was the luge track! And not just some crappy, slow track. This was fast and very dangerous (I nearly went off the track and half way down the mountain at least twice). Anyway between me and Luke and I kicked his arse 3-2 and took home the blagging rights ;) That evening we decided to go to the Hot Pools. We had a mini van picked us up and drive us on to the side of a mountain where the pools were. We had our own private pool between the 3 of us (me Luke and Mary) overlooking a valley and looking up at the stars for an hour. It was a really good way to end Queenstown. Afterwards we were going to go out but by 10pm I was so tired I just went to bed.
Next morning went to get on my Kiwi bus to Christchurch. Everything was going fine and I said goodbye to Luke and Mary, untill I check my wallet and my credit card was missing! And this was with 15 minutes before I had to leave on my bus. At the time I just remember feeling sick. I checked everything with no avail, all I had was $20. No back up card because that was waiting for me in Auckland, I was completely f***ed. Luckily Mary (who really should be knighted for this) gave me $100 to live on till I get to Auckland. I still have no idea how it went missing but it did. $100 might sound alot but its only 50quid in british money. Plus accomodation is around $25 a night, so I basically was living on 80cents noodles and stale bread for the next 4 days. As much as it was a horrible situation to be in, in a way it was quite interesting to see if I could get myself across the country on such a small budget. The first night I stayed in the Coachman Backpackers in Christchurch which was brilliant. The next day I had to get a bus from Christchuch to Picton, then a ferry from Picton to Wellington, north island. Luckily I had already paid for the extra transport before my card went missing. But it was the most boring journey of my life. In all in took 9 hours, with no one to talk too, no music (lost my headphones) and no books to read. Got to Wellington around 9.30pm and had to find my way to a hostel where 2 girls I had met before, Jen and Jenine, had saved me a bed. I managed to do fairly easily, no thanks to the evil shuttle bus driver who said there was no buses there so I would have to get a taxi with him for $10...a*******! I got a bus for a dollar in the end (which made me very happy) The other thing about the money situation which really sucked was that I didn't get to see any of Wellington cos I couldn't afford to stay any longer or do any activities. So I didn't get to see any of the north island practically. But at least it gives me an excuse to come back right? The next day the 3 of us got on the bus to Taupo. I really wanted to do a sky dive here but once again lack of funds stopped me from doing so. The next day we stopped in Rotorua, one of the main places I wanted to go, because you can go to a traditional Mauri dinner and see the thermal springs. But once again no money, so went straight up to Auckland.
I was abit scared as to how I was going to find where I was staying with some of my relatives. But I managed to find the bus stop thanks to a local woman who lovingly described her home city as 'a bloody circus'. It was a 30 mintues bus ride to the north shore of the city but I managed to find the house. For the next couple of days I mainly used the time to chill out, do some washing and eat some nice food. Kim and Mike were great and even let me use their spa! Ed and Frances both have Kiwi accents now but I'll forgive them :P They showed me the video of Graham and Margrets 50th Anniversery Party. All I'd like to say is Mum and Dad, I think you might need a little practise with your dancing. It was really nice just to see all your faces again, even if it was on a tv screen. I met up with Mary for one day and she showed me round the city and we went on a boat across the harbour at night which was awesome. The next day it was my flight off to Australia! Kim kindly dropped me off at the airport, and I did my usual routine of wondering around aimlessly untill I had to go to my gate. I arrived in Brisbane 3.5 hours later (this is the 22nd May now) and Chris, Robin and Steph's plane landed about 15 minutes later. And we headed off into the city to get a bed and sort out the next 5 weeks.
I'm actually in a placed called Mission Beach now. Which is a bit south of Cairns in the north of the country on the east coast. I shall update you soon with whats been going on in Oz. Speak to you soon

Woody x