Melbourne, Australia - 17th to 22nd December 2011 So once again I find myself back in the place I fell in love with 3 years. After hunting out some of the local hostels in the St Kilda area I've booked myself into the Habitat HQ, and as a little treat I've booked a double room. At $100 a night this is only a one off treat! Melbourne is my chill out time, so I took to wondering the city and wasting the day away on St Kilda beach. Upon seeing the mouth of Luna ...

Rangitata to Christchurch - 16th December In the morning I made my way from Rangitata to Christchurch. I've only a day in Christchurch before flying out later that night, and in the nicest possible way, thank god it's just that. I never understood the sheer scale of what happened to Christchurch and upon seeing it with my own eyes I was numbed. There was an uncomfortable but at the same time peaceful feel about the city. With most of the CBD fenced off there w...

Mt Cook to Rangitata - 14th to 15th December 2011 So today it's all change. Our trip from Mt Cook to Rangitata was as miserable as our mood. After saying bye to Team Sweden in Christchurch we both continued to Rangitata. Rangitata is renowned for its beach and dolphins, for which I was really looking forward to after being blown out in the Bay of Islands. But this was not to be, so instead myself and Georgie checked into separate hostels (there is a reason for...

Queenstown to Mt Cook - 13th December 2011 Mt Cook is what it is and that's about it, but equally amazing. After a little walk to up to the mountain Gerogie and I had just enough energy to cook some dinner and head to our beds. Nothing much more to report. It's also the penultimate day before we are both parted, so understandably Gerogie is now very emotional apart my pending departure ;-)

Franz Josef to Queenstown - Friday 9th to 12th December 2011 Today we're heading to Queenstown via Lake Matheson (Mirror Lake) and down through the mountains to Hasst pass and Makarora, passing by the lakes Wanaka and Hawea. We also stopped off at the world renowned bungy site (A.J. Hacket) where Sarah and some of the gang took to the bridge to face their fate. I can't see the attraction in this to be honest. Seems a lot of $$$$ for a few seconds of terror. Onc...