>hello there everyone,
>
>well its been a while since i had time to do a journal entry on my
>website so i thought i would let you know what i have been up to in
>New Zealand so far...
>
>I arrived in the North Island yesterday and it has alot to live up
>to...The south island was just amazing.
>
>We arrived in Christchurch on a lovely sunny day which is always a
>plus. Its a nice enough city but we were glad to get moving. We
>booked a Magic bus trip, which basically takes you arround sorting
>out activites and accomadation. on such a tight shedule we thought
>it was the best option, and so far its been great and we have met
>some lovely people along the way, all ages and nationalities.
>
>We set of ont he transalpine train across the middle of the island
>to Greymouth. it was such an amazing start...i will prob go on and
>on about how beautiful this country is in this email...but it really
>is!There was not alot to do in Greymouth, but we did stay in a
>cracking little hostel...it had animal themed rooms..we thankgod
>were not in the dog room, but the sheep room!
>
>From there we took out first magic bus to Franz Joseph Glacier. On
>route we stopped at a small town called Ross where i tried my hand
>at gold panning..didnt make my fortune tho. At franz Joseph we did a
>helihike. We took at chopper to the top of the glacier, which gave
>amazing views. We wandered around the ice for a couple of hours
>climbing through holes and sliding down. it was fantastic...
>
>Left franz Joseph with a stinking hangover and procedded to
>Queenstown. This place is quality, such a lovely little town. The
>adventure capital of the world. there is so much to do and see and
>so much money to spend. Vanessa decided to do a Bungi jump, think
>she will safely say she wont do that again! i did a paraglide which
>was lovely and relaxing, with great views over the town. We did a
>fair bit of drinking in queenstown...but it has to be done and plus
>some of ness's fellow jersey people were there to.
>From Queenstown we did a day trip to Milford sound. it was was
>stunning, i dont think the photos do it justice at all!
>
>From Queenstown it was to Dunedin, Dunedin has the steepest street
>in the world and boy was it steep!!!! Close to it is the Moeraki
>Boulders, a group of perfect circle shaped rocks on the beach. No
>one konws why or how they got there...quite impessive. The drive
>after this was magical...the water in the rivers and lakes was an
>incredcible blue...i just cant get over how blue and clear the water
>is. We stayed the night in Lake Tekapo. Had a group bbq and relaxed
>in yet another lovely hostel. Nearly all of them have spa's so i
>have been treating myself to a SPA a day!!!
>
>We returned to Christchurch breifly, I had my nose peirced by a very
>dodgy charachter...it will be a tattoo next!!! It was then onto
>Kaikoura, We had such a lovely few days here. on the first day Richi
>our driver took a few of us out fishing. Although i felt pretty seasick throughout it was great fun and we caught crayfish(Lobster) which was then turned into thai curry...not bad hey! That night we even came second in a pub quiz..impressive i think! The next day we went whale watching which was incredible...we saw 3 sperm whales and lots and lots of dolphins and seals.

Then it was on to the north Island, we arrived in wellington by ferry yesterday. It has alot to live up to, but we have some great plans for the north island. I am loving New zealand. i could def live here. So not long now...of to Fiji on 6ht feb then cook islands for a week and Thati for a week. Bach home 6pm on the first march.

I will see you all soon, there are lots of new pics on the South Island album.

xxxx
>