Tuesday 7th December 2010 (Wanaka – Queenstown) Starting the day at Puzzling world, it was lucky we weren’t hung over, as this place messes with your head. We started in a 3D maze in which you had to reach all 4 corners, but with various staircases adding to the dilemma we gave up after 3 corners, concerned we might run out of time and miss out on everything inside. We really loved the illusion rooms with one where you can make yourself look like a midget, or giant by standing at opposite corners of a room, and lots of things that appeared to roll uphill as the room was on such a slope! Stopping next at Kawarau bridge bungy, the 1st commercial site set up by AJ Hackett in 1988, only 1 person was booked to ... read more

Saturday 4th December 2010 (Mahinapua – Franz Joseph) Today we had an insight into life in the New Zealand wilderness at the bushman centre watching a DVD about the deer industry, although all we really wanted to do was feed the animals. We walked around the strange museum with booby trap water sprays everywhere. Our final destination today was Franz Joseph, where we booked ice climbing for tomorrow morning before being whisked off Kayaking on Lake Mapourika. Wayne our guide was really laid back and the whole experience was relaxed and enjoyable, floating though still rivers with a bit of a hard push at the end against the cross winds. We got back to our hostel just in time for a dip in the hot tub before dinner. Sunday 5th December 2010 (Mahinapua – Franz Joseph) ... read more

Thursday 2nd December 2010 (Nelson – Westport) First morning with Kane and it was time to break a few hearts. We were booked on the bus over a week ago, but those on the reserve list sat nervously awaiting their name. Almost all got on but a couple had to get back off when there were others on the list above them at the second pick up. A packed bus set off and then we were treated to the Kane wake up with a DVD of “Good Morning” from “Singing in the Rain”. An amazing stop today at Lake Rotoiti, a huge lake surrounded by mountains, where we jumped off the end of jetty into the lake! There where large eels swimming around the jetty putting some off jumping into the water! Next stop was yet ... read more

Monday 29th November 2010 (Wellington) Today we were shopping, not for your usual NZ items such as Jade or an All Blacks jersey, but for Smurf costumes to celebrate Rita’s Birthday. 9 of us scoured the various cheap shops and charity shops where we bought lots of blue face paint and white outfits with pillowcases for hats. We managed to sort our costumes out before the others, so we hit Te Puia museum an hour before closing, where we saw the giant squid and whale skeleton. Time to paint the town blue... A dozen of us got ready in the Irish girls’ room, which after an hour or so had a blue tint we all hoped management wouldn’t notice. Smurfs hit the hostel bar with many amused looks from the people around and after several drinks ... read more

Thursday 25th November 2010 (Waitomo – Taupo) Walking around more caves in the morning helped to wake us up and after a long day on the bus we arrived at the Huka Falls which had an immense force as the water ploughed over the edge and created a really beautiful sight. Joanne was picked up for her Skydive, and managed to get Richard a space to watch. They showed the group a video and we all decided to jump from 15,000ft (even Sharon who was petrified). As Joanne had sky-dived before she decided against the pricy photo/video package and enjoyed the jump even more for just taking in the experience and the views instead of staring at a photographer for the whole of the free-fall. Back on the ground her trusty photographer (Richard) and videographer (Joe) ... read more