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Right, this is going to be the last post from New Zealand so best make it a good 'un!
The day after our bungy in Queenstown, we decided it was time to chill out for a bit and headed off on our Milford Sound trip. We had a nice long bus journey to get to the sound, which actually ended up being the best part of the day. We saw some really awesome scenery, loads of huge snow-capped mountains, fields full of deer (I had no idea before then that they keep deer in NZ like they do sheep, very odd!), gorgeous lakes and loads of forest. Little bit of everything, really! We also saw the mountains that were used as the Misty Mountains in LOTR, anything with a reference always makes us happy! We also saw some hanging glaciers and a huge lump of snow that apparently had been there since last winter, quite an achievement!
The cruise itself was cool, infact very cool! It was pretty chilly as we were very far south but it was beautifully clear and we got some really good views. The cruise took us right out into the Tasmin sea, and we got to see one lonely and rather cold looking seal! There were loads of waterfalls which were very pretty, so yeah, nice place!
On Saturday, we stayed in Queenstown and had a pretty chilled out day because it was cold and rainy and we didn't really want to venture outside! We went into town hunting for something decent at the cinema, then gave up and vegged in the hostel with books and magazines. We did manage to brave the weather later in the evening for another Fergburger, which just shows really that we will do anything for food!
Sunday was time to finally leave Queenstown, home of the Nevis bungy and the Fergburger (sad times!) and head to Dunedin. It was a very different town from most in New Zealand, a lot of older buildings and felt a lot more British. It is apparently called the 'Edinburgh of the South' but having never been to Scotland I couldn't really comment! There were a lot of Scottish shops and street names though. We were very cultural and paid a visit to the Cadbury's chocolate factory! Since it was the weekend we didn't get to see that much of the factory as it was closed, boo, but we did get some samples of rather odd New Zealand chocolates, like the legendary chocolate fish (pink marshmallow covered in chocolate) and chewy banana and caramel bars. NZ has some quite exciting Cadbury flavours which we quite wanted them to give us but they didn't, boo, like rocky road bars which are pretty yummy.
After a brief one night stay in Dunedin, we headed to the teeny town of Lake Tekapo, stopping off at the world's steepest street just outside Dunedin. The bus driver encouraged us to walk up it, which we did, and there was a pretty good view from the top so yes, it was a very steep street! Felt quite sorry for the people who live on there, but I guess it's there choice! Just hope they are hybrids with legs of a mountain goat. On the way to Tekapo we also visited the Moeraki boulders, huge rocks on the seashore which were perfectly spherical and came up to at least my waist. Very odd to see as they do look a bit like they've been put there by aliens!
When we got to Tekapo, we went to see the church of the good shepherd, which must have the best surroundings in the world as you can look straight out of the window onto Lake Tekapo and the Southern Alps. It was a gorgeous day when we got to Tekapo, there was snow everywhere and the mountains were completely covered which made for some pretty awesome pictures! We spent the afternoon visiting an outdoor ice rink, which was pretty weird as it was just me and Gaelle on it! Not quite the same experience when you're not constantly dodging people and watching the scaredy-cats holding onto the side! We spent the rest of the afternoon curled up on the sofas in the hostel next to the much appreciated log fire. Not a bad way to spend an afternoon :)
Which brings us to Christchurch. We got here yesterday afternoon and spent the afternoon visiting the museum which was cool, especially the antarctic exhibition they had. We also spent a lot of time walking around, getting a bit lost, but having a good look at the town! It's an extremely pretty place, full of as much history as NZ gets! There are some very English-looking old buildings, including a school which has a bit of a Rugby school vibe about it, though obviously not nearly as good! It's got a very pretty cathedral, botanic gardens which I'm sure are even more impressive in the summer, and enough rugby pitches for each New Zealander to have their own!
Today we are having a bit of a sort out day, as we fly tomorrow. My phone has finally decided to give up on life so I need to go hunt out another one, do some posting and some packing and generally sort out everything I've been too lazy to do until now! The life of a traveller is not always glamourous! :p But with that said, we are flying to Fiji tomorrow where iti will be nice and hot, even in their winter! Definitely looking forward to the change of weather and pace, Fijians are meant to be pretty laid back and I am definitely in the mood for that right now! So not sure when I will update again but will keep you informed ASAP :)
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Christine C Enjoy your last day in NZ, get rid of all your winter clothes and good flight to Fidji !