Vinegar Tits

After being stationary in Sydney for three weeks, we were both extremely excited to be hitting the road again. We have five weeks to explore New Zealand and intend to fit in both the North and South Islands. Our first stop was Christchurch, the only big city on the South Island, we landed there late Sunday night. Feeling a little bit lost without our Eric we headed to our backpackers - Jailhouse Accommodation. Now those of you in the know about Ed's unusual relationship with Prisoner Cell Block H will understand his reasoning in booking us into a converted historic Jail. Our room was a tiny cell with bunk beds and the original jail door. 'He used to bring me roses' was still being sung well after lights out!!

Our time in Christchurch and the South Island was actually short spent, we intend to spend the last three weeks of our trip in the South. So the next few days were taken up with organising transportation:

It ain't no Eric but the spelling mistake on the back made our day!

and getting to the North Island.

Our first stop was Tongariro National Park - home to the famous Tongariro Crossing - New Zealand's best one day walk. The crossing circumnavigates Mount Ngauruhoe, an active volcano best known for its cameo as Mordor's Mount Doom in the Lord of the Rings films. Waking at 5am, I'm still flinching as I write that, we set off on the most spectacular walk we've ever done. Taking seven hours to complete, we climbed the side of a mountain to walk in the clouds, then round the rim of a volcano and finally down to beautiful lakes created by volcanic craters. These photos just don't do it justice.

Me and my Ed took our roles as Sam and Frodo very seriously N.B. We don't want any ring references thank you Jake.

In an adrenalin infused state, Ed then drove us on to Rotorua, to experience Maori culture and geothermal activity!

Known as the Sulphur City, Rotorua lies on a fault line making it an active volcanic area. Here we visited a Maori village and saw the Haka being performed. This is the tribal dance used by the Maori to frighten their foe before battle. Today it is most famously used by the New Zealand rugby team before every match. The Maori singing and dancing was great, although we must admit to getting even more enjoyment because of the little girl at the front who forgot all the words and moves halfway through. We also have video evidence of her attempting to join in with some poi swinging and failing miserably - very funny.

After soaking the night away in a mineral spa under the stars we set off the next day to visit Waiotapu - a compact thermal area with lots of unusual volcanic activity, including a champagne pool, bubbling mud, mineral terraces and a spouting geyser. I must admit it was actually pretty incredible - again photo's just don't do it justice.

Being a country famed for its outdoor activities we are now heading to Waitomo Caves to abseil into black depths and jump off a waterfall. The boozesome twosome have also made a momentous decision and decided to join in with the healthy New Zealand outlook. We are jumping on the wagon for a month of no alcohol. One week in and desperate for a beer!