Enroute to Abel Tasman, we stopped twice. First stop to buy some local honey from a bee farm, second stop was not quite as exciting. We were enticed in by a huge roadside sign "Abel Tasman Skydiving". This was at 12.30, and by 1 we were jump suited up, harnessed in and sat in a plane preparing to hurl ourselves to the ground. The whole experience was organised with Formula 1 pitstop precision - they certainly did not waste any time hanging about. In hindsight th...

Muruia Springs enroute were Japanese, really smelly (like rotten eggs), black algae floating in them and baking hot, not the most pleasant experience and whilst sitting in them we did question what we were doing. To prove our point further though once showered and sat in the coffee shop in walked Sean on his way back from an interview!! With a speeding ticket in tow, clearly he was in a rush to get back to us. Only joking apparently he was looking at a plane! So...

We stumble out of bed just in time for Hot Springs to open. We then spend the next few hours running from pool to pool and pampering ourselves. Three of the twelve were really stinky sulphur ones, one of them started to eat Fiona's ring (silver gets tarnished by sulphur), but all was good as the friendly staff at reception were prepared for such an event and cleaned it up nicely. Then, as normal, Todders and I fill our boots with the shower and charging stuff, wh...

Brent turned out to be a nightmare from minute 1, and had a few errands to run before we could leave town. Saying goodbye to his work colleagues at Rippon Valley actually turned out quite well for us, as the views overlooking Lake Wanaka were stunning, and there was a giant deckchair for us to entertain ourselves with. Waiting for him to buy $60 worth of Colourslide film for his camera, was less amusing. Eventually we got on our way and embarked on a very nice d...

MY BIRTHDAY!!!!! Wanaka, as much as it is a lovely little town, was a bit of a washout. It rained, and rained, and then rained a bit more. Fortunately, we had treated ourselves to a posh campsite, complete with sauna and spa. After our Skydive was cancelled, we decide a lazy day is in order. We did make it to the cinema which had sofas and amazing half time homemade cookies. However, we chose to watch possibly one of the worst films that I have ever seen. Expec...