We done the Grand Adventure backwards, so from ******church to Auckland. It was awsome! The scenery is just amazing, and the people were great! Our bus driver was (short) Kev, and out tour guide was Kathy! A great bunch of people aswell! I would reccomend doing the parasailling in Lake Taupo! That was my favourite place. There were about 50 people on our tour. Boat ride on the Milford sound was excellent, the mountains are increadible! As long as you dont get sea sick! I done 2 Lord of the Rings tours in both Wellington and Queenstown. They were the highlight of my tour! The volcanoes in Tongarriro national park were an amazing sight! We travelled up the desert road past them. Rotorua was awsome, but it doesnt smell as bad as what some people make it out to be, unless you are standing right next to the steam. I would reccommend doing the mud bath, thermal pools and then an hour massage at hells gate (the full package). Waitomo was our last night and there is only one pub. Loved waitomo! Only downside was Auckland,  me and a friend stayed in the Auckland Central Backpackers. I would definately reccomend not staying there! Definately find a different backpackers! If you want to know why just message me. So I would definately suggest that you go to New Zealand and do either the Grand Adventure or Explorer! I loved it and I am going back as soon as I have saved up!

I just realized that I accidentally addressed the last email to Clarissa instead of Carissa!! Im so sorry! hope i didn't offend you!

-Amber

i did the grand adventurer in january 2005 as well...except that i had Phil (with his addictive laugh) and PK (best bus driver in the world EVER). queenstown was the highlight for me...all that fun and not enough time to do it all...

we had some on board entertainment in the form of a crazy brazillian...who would sing with no inhibitions, as well as some crazy american boys but they know who they are so i wont mention any names.

i enjoyed south island so much more than north...i dont know why...i just did...maybe it was the nice open spaces or something weird like that but, nevertheless, it was a fantastic trip...soooo many memories...especially in taupo with the bad taste party on the boat...man that was a crack up!

oh and i know what you mean by the ACB...i had a couple of friends stay there, and they said that it was very dodgy...i stayed at the New President hotel on victoria st west...and it was pretty damn good. cheap, clean, had an ensuite, kitchenette and tv...highly recommend getting it if you can...then again it was a hotel. but i did have other friends that stayed at base, and that seems a lot better than ACB. so in other words, ACB = bad, Base = good, New president= better if you have the money.

anyway, i'm definately going back again when i get the chance and have the money!

also forgot to mention that i did zorbing in rotorua...you've gotta do that...its soooooooooo much fun...but its not on the optionals list (which it should be!!!!)...so just go to the info place in rotorua, and they can help you all out