Rotorua always strikes me as an unashamed tourist town, its natural wonder a mecca for tourist operators. So I was stoked to find some untapped natural hot springs flowing through native bush.

Without a bit of local knowledge you probably wouldn’t find Kerosene Creek, down an unsuspecting metal road near Rainbow Mountain. To get there follow State Highway 5 south from Rotorua. Turn down Old Waimate Rd, first on the left after the State Highway 38 turnoff. Follow this rough dirt road for one or two km until you see a parking area. There are several spots you can hop in the stream, including 2 baby waterfalls. For hours we lay in the thermal warmth without seeing anyone. No walls, no cost, just beauty.

I stared down from the platform into the 35 metre chasm. The cave walls narrowed quickly like a funnel, beyond which I could see only darkness. I was surprised by the boldness in Katrina’s voice volunteering to be first. In full wetsuit and hooked up in her harness, she silently disappeared down the hole. I was next.

Putting my trust in my rope I convinced my feet to leave the platform. I hung for a moment before feeding the rope through, beginning my descent. The cave entrance converged faster than I had anticipated and was smaller too. Brushing the cavity walls I descended and saw the cave opening out again like an hourglass. With growing confidence the guide encouraged me to bound out from the rock. In four more decent leaps I joined Trean and the guide on the floor of the Ruakuri Cave. The other cavers all descended. Phase 1 complete.
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To all those people who know me, you warmly invited to my leaving party at Khuja Lounge on the 11th of September. It’ll be a pretty cool night and the last time I’ll be seeing most of you for some time. And if I havent caught up with you for a while it’s a good chance to say hello, goodbye

Click here to view invite

The landscape is blanket white. Some pertruding rocks suggest the boundary of a car park. ‘This’ll do’. I pull up in Baby Blue’ (my light blue Toyota Corolla), parking on a gentle slope. ‘Enough time’ I tell myself.

Baby blue is already lightly powdered in white. I grab my gear and head for the main doors of the Auckland International Airport terminal. Mt Ruapheu is not the best place for an airport. Im not the only one out here, Meg and Jack White are running up and down the slopes screaming like kids, some other punks are hanging round the cars with their frosted mohawks. Im a bit worried about leaving Baby Blue in the carpark for a year..

The sliding doors of the terminal open and the warm glow of the lights welcome me inside. (I think I checked out Artport, my old work) But reasonably briskly I move through customs to airside. No problems, Im not a terrorist.

The plane to Amsterdam is boarding shortly… A little bit apprehensive I check myself for the umteenth time. Got everything? this-check that-check…
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testing 1,2… (taps screen) testing 3, 4 (clears throat). Ahhem.

Hi there, this is my first blog entry at the untitled-project. A lot of you who are reading this will know me personally. Ive set this blog up so I can speak to you all at once about.. well whatever I choose! Over the next 6 months Ill mainly be blogging my travel tales through Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, India and Nepal, letting you know how Im faring in this big wide world. And letting mum know Im ok.

Current Status:

• Tickets - bought
• Insurance - Purchased
• Pack - er stolen
• Itinerary - uncertain
• Visas - mental note, must get visa’s
• Travel Buddy - na

Yep Ive got a few ends to tie up still but Im in loose control of everything. Further status reports to follow.