Almost the end....

Cant believe I heading back tomorrow... Gutting - its been fantastic!

Last night Maori dinner/ceremony was amazing, it was such a powerful event - the Maori people are so proud of there culture that it upset me to think that we aren't the same... It was such a good night!

Today I went Black Water Rafting... which it rafting on a black rubber ring through a huge underground caving system... had such a laugh.. jumping waterfalls etc... At one point we had to turn our lamps off and the ceiling was aglow with tiny green light - glow worms. It was like looking at the sky at night and sooo relaxing, just drifting along in complete silence looking at the 'stars'.

As its my last night - I'm heading into town with a few people off the tour for a goodbye drink and pizza... Seriously it is going to be gutting leaving... but then I'm looking forward to seeing everyone and going back for xmas!

Better go - see you all in the next couple of weeks.. if you hear on the news of any disruptions at Sydney airport its proberly me having a paddy fit and refusing to get on the plane ;-)

Rotorua

Hey - Currently in Rotorua, which is a huge natural thermal underground area.. there are natural area's of bubbling mud and huge columns of steam everywhere... and it stinks.. pure sulphur.. it honks so badly.. wow!

Earlier today we went to a Maori Village to learn about the Maori culture, really interesting saw a natural geyser (water stream, not chav) and saw my first kiwi bird - there actually really big.

Tonight I am going to a Maori Hungi a traditional dinner and ceremony where a roast pig or lamb is cooked in the ground for about six hours then served followed by a Maori warrior display - all seems like its gonna be fun!!!

Body Boarding @ Kawarau Gorge

Well Riverboarding was different... 4 hours of high adrenaline, Hard rapids, whirlpools and strong undercurrent's on the powerful Kawarau Gorge rapids - which are all labelled in the leaflet as fun.

It was hell - don't get me wrong I enjoyed it but I will never do anything Like that again - it really make you realise how powerful nature can be and when you haven't a clue how to handle it - it becomes scary. Afterwards the river was closed as the water level had risen 5ft! I'm still limping!

Anyway to make it better again I went a threw myself of another Bungi Jump - The Ledge - Brilliant and I have some great images to show you all!!!

THE JENNIE TAYLOR

Forgot to mention - was in Queenstown and only bumped in to Jennie from work... She's says hello to all at spinner... think she couldn't understand what was happening as a big brummie noise came bounding towards her... bought her a cuppa to calm her down and saw her off on the 3 day hike she was a bout to begin...

Wellington!!!

Hola - well I'm currently in 'The Windy City of Wellington'. There is no wind though, just glorious sunshine. I've extended my trip with Contiki, I had such a great time that myself and a few others have paid a bit extra to continue to Auckland. Spent most of yesterday travelling to get to Wellington, including a three hour ferry ride... which I slept most of.

I'm a little tired today as we have quad share bedrooms... (3x beds per room). One of the guys is famous for his snoring and last night I had the pleasure of being in a bed next to him...

UNBELIEVABLE...

the guy was a church organ - I've never heard such a large amount of noise coming from one person... it was freaky! In previous hostels - people in other rooms have complained that they kept them awake - FROM TWO ROOMS AWAY and I was right next to the sod! Wow!

Luckily he went out at 7 am and I was able to have lie in to catch up on sleep... every person who's stayed in a room with him has a sound recording of the noise... Ill play it to you when I get back!!!

Having an easy day today, Wellington is lovely, but its been a bit of a shock being in a city again... heading back out into the wilderness tomorrow and going to do some caving, which looks fantastic!!!!

Its dawned on me that I fly back to the UK on Thursday - I cannot believe the six weeks are almost up!!!