26th December 2003:NELSON
A day to remember! Up early and off to the airfield. Got kited up, hopped into the plane and off we went to 13,000 feet. I have never been so excited but petrified at the same time. It was time to tandem Skydive Abel Tasman National Park! 50 seconds of freefall at 120mph/ 200kmph - a truly awesome experience. Words cannot describe it. If you ever fancied jumping out of a plane I suggest you give it a go! The only downside is the very sore thighs I had from when the parachute was pulled and resistance kicked in - I don't think the straps had been done up tight enough, because boy did it hurt!!! Called home to wish everyone a Merry Christmas (no - I wasn't a day late, think of the time difference...!) and then told them what I had been up to!

28th December 2003: CHRISTCHURCH TO FOX GLACIER
Our day began with a drive across the Canterbury Plains and the Southern Alps via Arthur’s Pass, a region of snow capped mountains and panoramic scenery. Next stop Hokitika, famous for it’s greenstone. I decided that the greenstone was too expensive so opted to buy a bone necklace instead. On to Westland National Park, whose main attractions are Franz Josef and Fox Glacier. Went on a glowworm hunt tonight, but it wasn't dark enough, and I decided I had had enough when the mosquitoes started biting...

29th December 2003: FOX GLACIER TO QUEENSTOWN
A guided tour of Fox Glacier was a great experience as we walked up frozen rivers of ice with our crampons on. We were told to wrap up warm, which was fine, except the climb made us really hot and sweaty. Continuing southwards, we climbed Haast Pass and on to Wanaka and the Southern Lakes. Our destination today is Queenstown.

30th December 2003: QUEENSTOWN
Queenstown is of course the home of bungy jumping and there are many jump sites from which to choose. Personally? I prefer to watch, and even that isn't enjoyable! Decided I would try something a bit different, so off I went tandem hang-gliding. After having had so much fun on my first skydive I decided it was time to indulge in a second. An afternoon at nzone soon reminded me of what fun it was to jump out of a plane from 12,000 feet! Did some cool spirals and stuff on the way down, but my thighs were still sore from my previous skydive, so it was pretty painful.

31st December 2003: MILFORD SOUND
We took in some of New Zealand’s finest scenery as we passed the beautiful township of Te Anau as we travel to Fiordland National Park and the incomparable Milford Sound. Here our scenic cruise took us past towering tree-lined cliffs and spectacular waterfalls. I personally think the day is overrated. A 5 hour drive to see scenery very similar to that that we had seen over the previous days, and similar to Scotland is not really my idea of a productive day. Had a few drinks at the bar before heading into town to see in the New Year with a local firework display.

1st January 2004: QUEENSTOWN TO LAKE OHAU
Up this morning for a trip on the Shotover Jet - a jet-boating experience on the Shotover River. Those guys can drive - we were within inches of hitting the rocks! We negotiated the Lindis Pass on our way to the township of Omarama which claims to be New Zealand’s best spot for hang gliding. Our accommodation was at Lake Ohau, where our lakeside lodge had stunning views of Mount Cook.

2nd January 2004: LAKE OHAU TO CHRISTCHURCH
Today I opted for a scenic flight over Mount Cook and the glaciers. The aeroplane was tiny with just 16 seats and there was plenty of turbulence. We passed the very beautiful Lake Pukaki and the equally beautiful turquoise coloured Lake Tekapo. We crossed the fertile farmlands of the Canterbury Plains before finally arriving at Christchurch - the end of our trip. Time for a farewell dinner with my latest bunch of friends.