Kia Ora from New Zealand!

We have been here for a week now during which time we have traveled from Christchurch on the east coast up to Nelson, which is at the top of the South Island.

Last Monday we were up way too early in order to get to the airport for the short hop over the Tasman Sea from Sydney to Christchurch. We flew over the Southern Alps which looked amazing even from 36000 ft. The first thing we noticed when we arrived was the cold! It is coming into winter here in the southern hemisphere so dont even think of asking us where our tans are when we get home! We had a quiet evening at our hostel which was right on Cathedral Sq, the main area of Christchurch. We are travelling round NZ on a bus pass with a company called Kiwi Experience so the next morning we jumped on one of their big green buses for the journey north to Kaikoura, which in Maori means 'place to eat lobster'. Or something like that. It is situated in a bay with the beautiful Kaikoura Ranges looming behind it. We spent the bulk of our time here on an excellent whale watching trip, where we encountered Sperm whales, seals and albatross. Sarah unfortunately didnt bring her sea legs so she encountered the inside of a sick bag for most of the trip! Apparentely she is known as Spewy Sarah Christie to her friends. Bless.

We were soon on the road again to Nelson following a quick stop in Picton to drop off some passengers who were getting the ferry to the North Island. We were only planning on staying in Nelson for a couple of nights but the last 2 buses didnt have any room so it will end up being 6. We dont mind as we are staying in the nicest hostel ever. It is attached to a bar and restaurant which does a nice pale ale but more importantly does a backpacker special 2 course meal every evening for only $12. Lamb Shank, Roast Beef etc, just when we thought it was back to noodles for 5 weeks!

All this fine dining had to be worked off however so yesterday we had a day trip up to the Abel Tasman National Park for a hike, or tramp as they call it in these here parts. We caught a bus up to the edge of the park, however there are no roads so the only way to access the park is by water taxi, which we took up to a place called Bark Bay. We then did a 3 hour hike along the track to Torrent Bay. This part of the route is considered the most beautiful and it didnt disappoint. It was then back on a water taxi and a bus back to Nelson. Before you ask, no, Sarah held it together on the water taxi thankfully!

Tomorrow we are heading down the West Coast to a town called Westport.

Until next time

Blair and Sarah xxx