Spent the morning in Wanaka at a cafe. Shopped with Jemma for a bit (she bought some Uggs), I did not buy anything.... Stopped at the 45th parallel-half-way between the equator and the South Pole. Aj hackett's-famous bungy jumping site-and no, not planning on jumping! Queenstown-16000 population. Swells to about 100000 population with tourists in summer months. Has over 300 pubs/bars and nightclubs. Similar downtown area to Taupo. Queenstown has been exploite...

Wanaka-I love it here! Left Franz Josef this morning in a downpour and as the day has progressed, the sun has once again returned:) Happy girl! Glacier fed lake in the centre of town and surrounded by mountains! Reminds me somewhat of Kelowna in the Okanagan-only better! Only have tonight here, but again, gratitude for seeing this place no matter what:) Stopped at another waterfall today along the way. Forget the name of it-whoops! My blessing today was sitti...

Aahhh...Franz Josef does not disappoint! Had a good sleep last night. Opted for a different hostel altogether-again, great decision. Cleaner, quieter, cheaper and has more character! Found 3 bunk mates to share a 4 bed with ensuite...treat! Also, a mini fridge and hair dryer (small appreciations)! Had breakfast at 4 bean cafe with a long black (delish) and then off for the helicopter ride to see both glaciers as well as Mt.Cook and Mt.Tasman:) Brilliant experie...

Slept in this morning. Our accomodation last night was an old mining hotel-has not been refurbished so has tons of antiques and memorabilia in it still. Quite run down-supposedly that's supposed to add to the 'authentic' west coast culture? Money making scheme for the owners perhaps.... In NZ, most coffee shops don't typically open until around 8am or later! Most stores close well before 9pm. A few more random things about life here. Things don't seem as hurried...

New bus today; new driver Seagull and as requested-new energy:) 90 million possums especially on the South Island-introduced by Europeans. Have destroyed trees-eat all the leaves. Out of control-government trying to control them. Bullah (sp) gorge-largest river flows out to the west coast. Franz Josef-11km long-1st 200 meters has separated from rest of the glacier in the past 8 months. Crevasses are 7 meters deep. Glacier constantly changing every day. Ice cav...