South Island...........Ferry docked in Picton and after lunch we drove to Abel Tasman along the coast. Probably the shortest route but the windiest road I think I have ever driven. I got bored after only an hour and we swapped. We normally drive for at least 3 hours each! Stayed in Marahau which is a tiny village used as a gateway to the Abel Tasman National Park. We stayed at Barn Backpackers, and again it was a top choice. We had huge handmade bunks set up in a small barn (queen size beds by the way) with a kitchen, lounge and veranda. Was so quaint. Up early again to go Kayaking. Our guide was wicked, a kiwi speaking Canadian with a false leg called Nate. I'm sure he said ey? at the end of his sentences more then the Kiwi's do, was very amusing. He let us take our time though and we amused him with a few stories and also the fact that me n Sevo had the giggles the whole morning. He said he never had to look back to check on us cos he could always hear us! lol! We Kayaked north from Marahau, explored tidal inlets, secret coves and bush-clad islands (Yes I may have pasted this from their website!!). Stopped for morning tea on one of the gorgeous beaches, before continuing on to the sanctuary of Watering Cove. Nate told us about the tales of the Maori and European explorers and pioneers who came to Abel, not that I can remember much, apart from the guy that Abel was named after didn't ever actually set foot on the land!!!! Then had a BBQ on another beach and swapped our kayak for walking shoes to follow the path the settlers took to Anchorage Bay through the forest with views of the coastline. We then sunbathed for a couple of hours on Anchorage beach and returned by water taxi to Marahau. Checked out the next day a bit later than usual and continued to Arthurs Pass National Park. Arthurs Pass is actually NZ's highest altitude town. The road trip there was spectacular, although the clouds hid a lot of it but we did get to see viaducts, bridges, rock shelters and waterfalls redirected into chutes over roads. Oh, and we also nearly ran out of petrol going up the steep road!!! We opted to do the Bealey Creek trail the next day. It listed it in the info centre as a 3-4 hour walk, so we thought that would be plenty for us not so fit peeps!! So, we walked up this track as far as we could, but we had only been walking for about an hour so were a bit mystified as to why it had ended. We thought (remember we had 2 quite intelligent brains here working together) that we would climp up a small slope of rocks to see if there was a track at the top that we could follow. About half way up we realised that we had underestimated the steepness and looseness of the rocks on the slope, but also figures we were already half way up so might as well carry on. When we got to the top all we could see was dead trees and bush, it was a bit like a tree graveyard. No visible track and when we tried to walk on it we weren't actually walking on the ground but about a metre above ground balancing on bush and dead tree. So we deducted that it would actually be safer to climb back down the way we went instead of getting lost in the wilderness. Only the problem was, the rocks/gravel were really very loose and we couldn't get a footing, so we had to slide down. To our surprise it was absolutely hilarious and we ended up kind of surfing down this slope and invented a new sport called Rock Surfing (all rights reserved etc....)! I can just imagine my Mum and Dad now nearly having heart failiure, but just be grateful that I don't tell you about all the brilliant ideas I/we have had since being away!!!! After our fun filled day in the sleepy town of Arthurs Pass we headed to Fox Glacier. Sevo participated in a day hike in the glacier, but I didn't fancy it and decided to spend the day updating stuff and also to save my money for things I'm gonna need in Melbourne. When she returned from her hike the weather was amazing so we decided to get down to Lake Matheson and try and get the awesome pics that I never managed to get last time. Unfortunatley it was too windy when we got there so we didn't get the reflection but we did get some nice pics anyway.
Left in the morning, via the Lake Matheson cafe for a chocolate brownie (perhaps the best I have ever had) , for Queenstwon, home of the Adrenalin junkee activities. Didn't participate though. The one I did in Taupo last year was so good and I'm quite happy to just remember that I think. We eventually had a night out! I know, I had been sober for over 2 weeks, amazing. Had a wicked night out, and met some funny people, also managed not to spend much money. I love being female. Stayed in Q'town for 2 nights, needed a day to recover. On our second night we ordered Pizza from 'Hell', a restaurant chain in NZ that do amazing pizza. We put our left overs in the fridge to have for lunch on our way to Milford Sounds tha next day and when we collected it in the morning some ##%^**":<#$% person had obviously had the munchies in the night and eaten most of it. Also Sevo managed to get her credit card stuck in the slot of a card phone booth, so it wasn't a good start to out last full day together. Retreived the card with a pair of tweezers by the way. Arrived in Milford at about 3pm and then went on a crusie at 4:30pm. Was very chilled and only about 8 people on the boat. Scenery was stunning. Hard to describe so you will have to wait to see the pics or google it. We than went to the one and only pub called the Blue Duck for a few drinks seeing as it was our official last night. Met up with a Canadian guy we had met on the cruise and another guy from London who was sharing our room. Played some pool and got out butts kicked by a guy with a broken arm, we hung our heads in shame!!!
So, I am now on my own in Q'town again. Had to stay here another night as no buses went straight to Christchurch from Milford. Said our farewells this morning as I boarded the bus. Tears were flowing freely. Really miss Sevo already. It's going to be hard considering we were together 24/7 for 9 months. I think this may be the last postcard I put on here! Oh my god! Sevo has the Pics from NZ so when she posts them to me in Melbourne I will put them on too, but they will be the last. I will be back to work and leading a normal life again - sort of.
So goodbye for the last time from my website. It has been great fun writing about my antics on here and I hope you have enjoyed sharing them. Was hoping I would write something inspirational and moving but I seem to have writers block, so I will leave on this note 'man with one chopstick go hungry' and Careful.........