Despite my first trip to NZ being in winter, I was still struck by the cold when I arrived back over four years later. I felt freezing, even though spring was supposedly just around the corner.

I therefore decided to try as many different methods to get warm as possible, with some interesting results. I could tell you about drinking chilli hot chocolate, shopping for merino wool, wearing all my clothes at once, hiding in my sleeping bag and stealing sheep to cuddle, but that wouldn't be half as interesting. Instead I'll focus on my hot water adventures.

My first experience was perhaps the most enlightening... Nude Night at the Palm Springs hotpools in Helensville. After a day being almost blown away on the beach, my friend suggested we take a trip to the pools to warm up, have a couple of glasses of wine and catch up on gossip. I readily agreed, being generally up for most things that involve being warm, gossip, drinking wine...oh, and of course, getting my kit off (errr, actually joking on that last one).

We arrived and walked in. There was ominous looking black sheeting surrounding the pools so you couldn't see in, and notices saying that clothing/nudity was not compulsory - "Don't be shy"! Despite the fact I did actually know it was Nude Night, I was still a bit taken aback as we entered the pools and were surrounded by naked bodies of all sizes. I didn't know where to look, and scurried off to the changing rooms to get changed - which basically involved removing my clothes. We poured some wine for Dutch courage and got in the first pool.

I looked around and was struck by the imbalanced gender ratio. There were so many more men than women, particularly those of the older generation. No matter how hard you try, you can't help but check out the people of all shapes and sizes as everyone sits, swims and wanders around starkers - especially people who look like they're wearing clothes, but aren't (not the most pleasant image admittedly).

I had to really resist the temptation to giggle uncontrolably and make comments about the different bodies on display. It's funny, but in that situation you do lose your self consciousness and it is kind of liberating. It doesn't seem to matter what people look like. There were some amusing moments, and we made sure we steered clear of the hidden hotpools, where there are apparently all kinds of funny goings on... Needless to say, we had some interesting conversations on the way home!

The next stage of the hot water tour took place down near Lake Taupo. Wearing our bikinis under our clothes, we staggered down a path in the rain, my friend promising me the most fantastic experience. I was a little unconvinced at this stage, being as it was very cold, and raining, and there was no sign of any nice looking water! All of a sudden there was a gushing river in front of us, complete with beautiful rocks, plants and waterfalls, with steam rising from the surface. I got in with glee, and it did not disappoint - after a while I had to stand up to cool off for a bit! Highly recommended for any travellers down that way...

We finished the tour at Hot Water Beach. Here, the idea is to dig a hole in the beach, through which hot water rises due to thermal action under the earth's surface. What a great idea! Unfortunately, the quest for hot water defeated us in this instance. We arrived at the wrong time of day for this kind of heated action. Instead we warmed up by chasing each other with seaweed up and down the beach, which seemed to work pretty well! So, if you're cold in NZ, take the opportunity to find some natural heating to warm you up...