Hey everybody, sorry it's been so long since we updated the blog but we're having too much fun to spend all our time writing about it!

Since I last wrote the blog we've been pretty busy in NZ! On our way to do the Tongariro Alpine Crossing (bloody hard work but some great views) we stopped off in Taupo (again!) and Lois had the bright idea of skydiving!! It was awesome! Even though Lois burst into tears at least three times while we were waiting to go up in the little pink plane she thought it was amazing and she actually wants to do it again!! I'm not so sure.

Following my little sister's advice we drove down the very scenic (and unsealed) Whanganui River Road on our way to Wellington. That afternoon the camper broke down!! While we were having the van fixed we spent a couple of rainy grey days in Wellington - we didn't like the place!

Onto the South island, we started with some more wine tasting in Marlborough. Making our way up to Abel Tasman we stopped in the very pretty Nelson for some more cruisy time visiting a Sunday market and eating some awesome ice cream! We did a boat trip along the coast of the Abel Tasman, seeing lots of seals and a little blue penguin - Lois was very happy! The place was quality and we were lucky enough to have great weather for sitting on the sandy beaches.

After the suffering on the Tongariro crossing we decided to opt for the lazy route when we got to Franz Joseph, so we did a heli-hike on the glacier! Proper quality!! Riding in a helicopter is a weird experience - but bloody good fun and there were some amazing views (that seems to be the theme on the South Island).

Next stop before Queenstown was Wanaka where we went to a wicked cinema that had old sofas for seats (and pizza in the intermission). When we arrived in Queenstown it really felt like home - the rain didn't look like it was ever going to stop! My highlight in Queenstown was Fergburger (amazing as anyone who's visited Queenstown can tell you) and Lois loved drinking cocktails out of a teapot in World bar.

We then travelled south to Milford Sound for a cruise to see the fantastic scenery (even more of it) before driving around the south coast. We saw sea lions playing on the beach, little penguins coming onto the beach, many seals, and the world's smallest dolphins (hectors - which are only found in NZ) on our drive through the Catlins and around the Otago Peninsular.

At Lois' insistence we drove up to Kaikora to swim with wild dolphins and go whale watching. After getting up at 5am to go swimming with dolphins we were told there was a 10 metre swell and that it probably wasn't a good idea to go swimming! Fortunately we had more luck with the whales and saw a huge sperm whale (and now we know how they got the name).

To make up for the dolphins Lois arranged for us to swim with some wild hectors dolphins in Akoroa (just outside of Christchurch) - it was a bit rough again but it was quality swimming with the tiny animals - they are so small and there were loads of them swimming and jumping around us.

Back to Christchurch to get rid of our crappy camper at last!!