Arrived in Christchurch feeling a bit scared as anyone does travelling on their own in a new country does... went out and explored Christchurch. Not a lot to do here for backpackers - stayed in the main square on Christchurch called Cathederal Square, so called for the huge Cathederal right in the middle and a clock tower. Went and did a bit of shopping and had some dinner - was going to have an early one as had to be up very early to get on the Kiwi Experience bus in the morning... but as I got back to the hostel, I bumped into Myles (The guy i kept bumping into in OZ!) and spent the evening catching up with his travels in the bar below the Hostel called Saints and Sinners! Great to see him again and catch up! In the morning, I got on the Kiwi bus to go to Kaikoura. Talked to a few people on the bus, all seemed nice. Kaikoura was a very small place. Famous for its whale watching, and dolphin watching. Decedied to pass on this as you could do a 2 hour walk along the coast to a seal colony, which I did. Beautiful scenary, and amazing to see the seals just lying in the sun. In the evening, went to have a drink with Myles who was also in Kaikoura, he was heading to the North Island the next morning, so last chance to see him before back home. Went to bed at a reasonalble time, to get on the bus for Nelson. Arrived in Nelson late, but was worth the long journey. Stayed in a really nice hostel, where we got a roast dinner for only 10 dollars! Bargin, and everyone was very happy. Most peoples first roast since they left home!!! Yummy! We then went beer tasting, and went out into Nelson for the evening for drinks and pool. Long night! From Nelson we took a long journey down to Westport - one of the adventure capitals of New Zealand! Stayed in an alright Hostel, owned by a really strange guy... bit of a nutter. Just chilled out by the fire with some people off the bus in the evening. The next morning, 6 of us went jet boating in the nearby river!!! So amazing! In a boat with a 900hp engine attached to it! Spins, hairpin turns, 20cm away from the rock faces and in 10cm of water!!! Such a good laugh! We then got on the bus and moved on for Lake Mahinapua, home of the famous Poo Pub Party!!!!!!

We all decided that the theme of the party would be bin bags... so everyone made their costumes out of binbags. Some amazing costumes including cows, fairy's, maori warriors, superheroes and my amazing tuxedo!!! Everyone looks great, and much was drunk and fun had! The next day, everyone got up early a little bit hungover! and we moved on to Franz Josef, one of the most amazing places i've seen ever!