Hi y'all!

Well we have now been in LA for just over a week, the flight from Fiji was a bit hairy, we had about 10 searches and were allowed no liquids and you have probably heard all about it on the news.

Enyway 10 hours later we arrived in LA, we first went to Santa Monica and had a ganders around there and then we went to Hollywood and had a walk down the strip with all the stars on the pavement, and we went to Graumans cinema, the one they always use for premiers. It is a well nice cinema, (I wonder who sat on my seat before me?!) We saw snakes on a Plane, not sure if it out back home - I don't think I would recommend it, its weird, funny but not for the right reasons. Ok enough of the reviews.

We then went to Anaheim - where? - DISNEYLAND!
It was good, happy, smiley, NICE. Very enjoybale though, we went on all the rides, I think the Alice in Wonderland and Peter Pan were my favourites, and I met loads of celebs, Mickey and Minnie to name a few.

We also went to Disneys California Adventure, cos as if Disneyland wasn't enough they built another theme park next door. It was good but obviously not as good as Disneyland.

After a couple of days there we came back to LA and now we are staying in Hollywood just off Hollywood Boulivard.
And yesterday we went to Universal Studios, also very good and we saw Wisteria Lane and they were filming! (but we didn't get to see much, just drove past it on the tour)

and thats that, we will be flying back to the homeland tomorrow.
Its weird but heres a poem:

So that was my blog
A journey travel log

A snippet into my mind
Lots of stories you will find

Well done to all how followed and read
The ramblings of my dyslexic head

Sorry once more for all the gaps
We had a few mis-haps

But for all the bad, there were 1000 good
I hope with this blog you have understood

I wish that you have enjoyed it
And that it was good and fit

And now I am coming back home
No more on this will be shown

xxx

Well we are back on the main land, the island hoping has been wicked.
We went to 4 islands in the Yasawa Group to the west of the main land. It has been good to experience some proper "Fiji Time."

We spent time on the beach, snorkelling, diving and eating and drinking and I am (not) sorry to say that is all we have done.
Ah but lets not forget the BULA Dance, I shall save that for you when we get back.

We are flying to LA tomorrow evening, and will be landing tomorrow afternoon!!! Ruddy date line.

So the next time I shall be writing to y'all we shall be in Arnie's state - ve vill be back - YAH

Guess where we are....Fiji!

I know haven't updated this for ages but we havne't actually been up to much, we went on the glacier which was incredicable even though it rained hard all day. we got down to Queenstown and learned that we have run out of money - oh-o.
So we started to head back up north making a few stops on the way. We dropped the car off in Auckland then went back to Kerikeri to work for a bit.
We did for one week, there wasn't much work around just odd days and it was poopoo being back there working so we thought sod it, lets go to Fiji so here we are.

Its hot and sunny and tomorrow we are going island hoping, we are going to 4 island spread over 24 days.

Its gonna be a tough month but I think we shall manage.
I don't think there is internet access on them, just huts on beaches, so if you don't here from me (which with my record wont be anything unusual) you know why.

Hope all is well whereever you are.
They were talking on the radio in NZ about the heatwvae back home and the DJ kept saying about the poor pink pomms!

laters potatas
:o)

And I also forgot to tell you about Jin the otter.

About a month ago she escaped from Auckland zoo, it has been all over the news here, with appeals for sightings and allsorts.

Well today the managed to catch her and she is on her way back home! Huzzzzah!
Apparently she is a bit thin, but doing well.
They put down otter poo and food to attract her and catch her.

Its all been a bit exciting since we have been here.

Oh yeah I forgot to say, I got a haircut. Its'lright, better than it was anyway.

I am at the MOST COOLEST tinterweb place, its a converted red double decker bus! And the old seats have been made into the seats at the compooters.

We are now in Franz Josef, a township near a glasier. Tomorrow we are going for a climb on the glasier...should be....cool!

And for some reason I keep humming Franz Ferdinand tunes, can't think why though.

Yes so the last time I wrote we had just been white water farting, we left Rotorua on the 24th and headed a bit further south to a place called Taupo, which is a town on the northern tip of Lake Taupo. Its the biggest lake in NZ and it is massive, it was caused by a meteor or summit like that. We checked into a hostel and then went for a walk. We walked down the Waikato river and past a thermal park then to the Huka falls. This is a part of the river which goes from being 10m wide and 4m deep forced into a channel 4m wide and 10m deep. Its so noisy and creates such a force that it is used to create 15% of NZ's power!!! Then we walked even further to the Craters of the Moon. It is another thermal area, that does look like a alien planet, there were bubbling mud pools and steaming craters. We then started the long walk back, we didn't think it was going to be that far so we didn't take anything to eat or drink, but we ended up being out for about 5 hours and walked over 10km, ah well. When we got back we treated outselves to a pizza from Hell....we didn't die though! We found a pizza take-away called Hell!
We walked down by the lakeside and ate our pizzas, BUT within 2 seconds of sitting down we were surrounded by ducks, there must of been about 20 and they did not stop quacking at us. It was well funny though, just us watching the sunset over Lake Taupo surrounded by quacking ducks!

The next day we went s-k-y-d-i-v-i-n-g! (aaagggggggggggghhhhhhhhhh)
We got there and they were running a bit late, but it was cool, cos we got to watch a couple of groups get ready and go up the plane. Then it was our turn.
We got into the jump suits and had some harnesses put on and then we watched a 5 minute video about what we were supposed to do and then we meet our Tandem Masters. Mine was called Benny and Garys was called Kane (who also pointed out that my nail varnish matched my jumpsuit! - always an important factor when throwing yourself out of a plane) and then that was, it we were getting on the plane. We went up to 12,000 feet, as we were going up I was thinking right we must be mearly there, at the least half way and then Benny tapped me on the shoulder and said we were at 1,000 feet - omigod we still had 11 times that to go!!! It took about 20 minutes to get the 12,000 feet. I was first on so last off, Gary went just before me, I know it sounds silly cos I could obviously see how high we were but it wasn't until we started sliding down the plane to the door that it REALLY began to sink in how high we were. It was at this point I started screaming. Then we went to the edge and dangled my legs out the door, then I had to look to the left to have my photo taken - NICE, I'll just dangle my legs out of a plane, stop screaming and smile for the camera!!! I don't remember but in the photo I am smiling.

Then I tipped my head back and we rolled out and that was that.
I can't explain the feeling I felt, everything, fear, excitiment, adrenalin, happy, scared and the whole time I screamed. We free-falled for about 45 seconds, 7,000 feet and then at 5,000 feet Benny opened the parachute, then we glided down for the last bit. This was definately the best thing I have ever done, it was SO-MUCH-FUN. All in all it took about maybe 3 minutes to get down. I was shaking so much when we landed, my legs were quivering for ages after. We got the photos but unfortunately I can not get to the cd drive on these pooters :( but as soon as I can I will put them photos on.

We didn't do much for the rest of the day, just relaxed.
We got up at 2am to watch the football, we went down to this pub which said it would be open but it was closed so we went to this karoke bar next door that was open and had some people in England shirts smoking outside. We asked them if they would be watching the game and they said we could go back to their hostel and watch it - Safe. Then we went into the bar and bumped into a girl we meet in Kerikeri, which was nice. We watched the football and then went back to our hostel and slept.
A bit later on we went for a walk around Lake Taupo and just flaked out in the evening and watched some films at the hostel.

The next day, the 27th, we checked out of out hostel and then did a bunjy jump. They had special offer on if you did a jump before 11am. It was over the Waikato River and it was 47m. We decided against being dunked in the water cos it was freezing. Gary went first and took a couple of countdowns, then I went and managed first time. It was also very scary and again I screamed the whole time. Even though you are doing this on your own I still think the skydive was scarier. after the jump a dingy comes over with a couple of guys and they pull you down and then drop you off by the cliff then you have to walk back up!!!
It was lots of fun though.
Then we drove round the lake south to Turangi. Its a funny little place, we checked into a weird hostel and then booked a trek for the next day. Then we drove back to Taupo to go to the supermarket to get supplies for the trek, mainly chocolate.

28th - we got up at 6 to get for our trek along the Tongariro Crossing. A walk through a range of mountain one of which is Mt. Doom (in some film about elves and short people and a ring.)
Normally in the summer this walk can be done on your own, but now it is all covered in snow and difficult.
We got picked up at 7 and drove to the start of the track. We were given trousers and boots and cramp-ons. We set off at about 8am. The guides were really friendly as were most of the group. The first part of the walk was flat and easy and then we got to a bit called the Devils Staircase and started going up. It was called the Devils Staircase for a good reason, it was hard going, but we managed it. We stopped for regular brakes. Then we got to a bit that was very steep and all ice. We now had to put on our cramp-ons. These are bascially big metal spikes you attach to the bottom of your boot or as our guide described them 'blenders attached to your feet'
Then we trekked up to the Red Crater. It was hard work and really tough but once we got there the views were stunning. We stopped at Red Crater and has lunch, this was a thermal spot so even though we were at one of the highest points there was no snow and it warmed our bums as we ate lunch!

Then we started off again, but this time over the other side and down. And cos of the snow there was no walking down the mountain, nope...we slid down on our bums!!! This was definately, aside from the stunning scerenery of course, one of the highlights of the day. We walked a bit more, slid down a bit more and eventually got to the bottom and walked though soem forrests before we got back to the coach. All in all we walked 17km over about 7 and half hours. Then on the way back they gave us beer and chips - Select!

The next day, the 29th we drove to west to Waitomo and went on a caving tour.
We decided on doing a trip called 'Haggas Honkinh Holes' still not too sure of the name.
Anyway this was bascially lots of abseiling and caving, wearing wetsuits, waterfulls, dark, hard hats with lights, ducking, diving, crawling, climbing and glow-worms.
We got changed and had a bit of training and then did our first abseil, 20m, it was well scary. There was only 4 of us in the group with 2 guides so I was pleased about that. And the two guys on thw trip we met in Taupo when we watched the football.
So the first abseil went ok, I was well tired by the end of it though and I was holding the rope so tightly that I took a chunk of skin off my palm :(
Then we had to do 2 more abseils down waterfulls. It was hard work but lots of fun. We had to do a couple of crawrl through bits and a bit of climbing too. At the deepest bit we were 80m underground! We turned off our lights and saw lots of glowworms, they do not have bum-holes and use enzymes to burn there waste and create the light, which they use to attract other bugs to eat! Clever. They were very pretty though, a lovely bluey light.
We then did quite a big climg up and then stopped for a drink and chocolate bar and a chat, which the guides bought down. We were underground for about 2 hours, this was also a lot of fun. When we came to the top of the cave, I didn't realise that the stars were actual stars, I thought they were glowworms - doh!!!

We left Waitomo on the 30th and drove to New Plymouth. We decided to go on this off-road route cos we thought it would be fun and it was recommended a nice drive. We got about half way there and realised we were running very low on petrol. It will be ok though we thought, the next town will have some.
We got there and there was no garage and the next town wasn't for about 50km, bugger.
We asked a lady from the camp-ground/local shop and she said there was nothing, but then she sold us some of her own petrol!!! Which was very nice of her and it got us all the way there, phew!
We eventually got to New Plymouth and had a look around Mt Taranki. Unfortuantely there didn't seem to be any guided tours and we couldn't hire any boots so we decied it would probably be for the bexst if we didn't hike up this mountain.

The next day, 1st July, we drove to NZ's capital.
What back to Auckland? I hear you cry.....But no!.....Wellington is actually NZ's capital!!!

Sorry, yeah we drove to Windy Welly as is nick-named, because it is well windy. We didn't do much, had a wander and went to the pub and watched the football. It was a long night cos it didn't start till 3am but we made sure we would make it by drinking a crate of beer before we left our hostel!! We found an English pub called the Coutney Arms and watched it there, it was PACKED, but good fun. But thats enough about that.
Didn't do much else, just relaxed and wandered the city, we went to a LOTR exhibition at Te Papa, the national museum, then we went to The Empire cinema and watched the Return of the King, the cinema where the world premiere was held and it is the largest screen in the southern hempishere.

Then yesterday we got the ferry to Picton, it was very rough weather and the ferry was horrible. But we made it and now we are in Nelson wondering what to do in the South Island.

did you know that for every kiwiw person in New Zealand there are 14 sheep.

I know I said I would update this today but I under-estimated how far we had to drive today, sorry.
Oh yeah and we stopped at a garage and bought some milkshakes and I didn't think to look at the best before date.

We drove down the road and then opened one and it went off in January 2006!!!

Bugger.

I went into the bakers the other day and decided to get a double chocolate chip muffin, it looked yummy with some good sized chunky choc chips on the top.
Well can you imagine my disappointment when I bit into the muffin and learned that there were no more chunky choc chips - what is it with muffins that do that? Get you looking forward to more of those chunky choc chips and then you have to live with the fact that there aren't any more and you have already eaten the top layer so you can't even save one for later :(

Rant over.

so what have we been up to? Heres x words (I can't be arsed to count how many I have used, plus there are quite a few so it wouldn't sound that cool anyway,) but here are some clues:

Skydive, Bunjy, Mt Doom and 80m underground caves with glowworms.

I will explian more tomorrow, promise. We have been staying in some small towns and we have been well busy so I have just been jumping on the pooters in our hostels and they are well expensive for time, so tomorrow we are going to Wellington, so I will find a internet place there and spend ages writing in detail about of the scary stuff we have been up to, plus I will sort out some photos.

One more thing,
when doing bingo calling I can now say:

"I've done a sky DIVE......fifty FIVE"

hahaha
true story.

Well its been a fun few days, we watched the football, it was dark and early and cold but they had a lovely big fire so I stood in front of that, after it had finished we left Tauranga and headed south to Rotorua. It only took about an hour to drive.

We checked into a hostel and then we went zorbing. This is where you get inside a giant inflatable ball and then get rolled down a hill. Kind of like being in a huge hamster wheel. We both went in one and weren't strapped in and had water in the zorb with us. It was so much fun. (as you may or may not have noticed I have now got advertising on my blog so I can put photos on for free - once I get to a cheaper tinterweb place I will sort out the photo situation.) So yeah zorbing - excellent. And just before we went up the hill, the staff guy pointed out to me that I had my t-shirt on inside out, how cool am I?

we just spent the rest of the day relaxing.
Then yesterday we went white water rafting on the river Kaituna. It was wicked. We went over 3 waterfulls, one was 5 and half metres!!! and I think about 14 rapids. This was also so much fun, but kinda scary too. It was a grade 5 river which I think is the hardest you can do as a humble random. Oh and the day before the boat flipped on the big waterfull, luckily it didn't for us. (they did tell us what to do if it does flip though)
For one lot of rapids Jimbo, one of our guides, made us stand up! And for another lot he made us get out of the boat and hang on whilst we went over the rapids and he dunked our heads under a mini waterfull!
We did lots of chanting and shouting and the guides also said a couple of Maori prayers before we went on the river and just before we went over the BIG waterfull.

After the white water rafting we went to some hot pools. We just went to a natural river and got in, it was so warm compared to the air temp. there was steam rising everywhere, it was beautiful. We went to different bits along the river and Gary floated down stream and over a mini-waterfull.

because of all the hot rock activity in the area it smells of farts all the time, the sulphur I think.

Today we have had a lazy day and tomorrow we are going further south to Taupo.
(where we are going to be doing a skydive!)
:)

Hello me again,
Well today we had a look around some Op shops or as we call them charity shops to try and find some coats cos its cold and wet here, but with no luck, so we drove down the road to Mt. Maunganui and climbed up the mountain.

Its not really a mountain, but a really really big hill, 232m to be precise. And sheep live on it.
So we walked up, looked at the fantastic views and they were very good today as it was a clear sunny day, then we walked down and went to the pub and had a pint and some potatoe wedges and played giant chess.

Then we came back to Tauranga and had a look round the shops and both managed to find jackets which are nice, warm and cheap! Then we went to the cinema cos its cheap all day on Tuesdays and watched Cars, its alright, a good film but not one of Pixars better ones.

and now we are back at the hostel, gonna be having an early night cos we are getting down to the pub for 7am to watch good old Ming-e-land kick a ball around. We have decided if they get through to the quarter finals we are going to buy some England shirts. Gary has already shaved his head so might as well go the whole hog and look the part!

Come on England
(But it is only a game)
;)