My time in Invercargill was a little dull to be honest. No, sorry, that's wrong, Invercargill is dull and it just meant that there was very little to do other than watch films and eat, which is precisely what I did. I found myself watching 'The Bodyguard' in the afternoon before heading to the cinema with Rob and Anna to watch '300'. The film was half-decent but the highlight of the evening was our game of 'Jack and Jason'.

Friday saw me leave Invercargill, much to one's relief, and head towards Dunedin. On our way we were supposed to stop off and see sea lions and penguins but the gale force conditions meant it was hard enough for us to stand, let alone a little penguin. The sea lions were also not playing ball and they too were somewhere out at sea. Once in Dunedin I set my stuff down, cooked and then just relaxed.

The next morning I was dragged, honestly, to Cadbury World. The tour was pretty cool and I decided that it would be rude if I didn't accept the freebees on offer. From Cadbury World I did a little window shopping before heading back to wrap up warm for the evening's entertainment; rugby!

This was the game I was looking forward to watching as it would be the one with the most All Black players. The game was between the local team, the Highlanders, and the Canterbury Crusaders who just so happen to have a certain Daniel Carter playing for them. If you've never heard of DC then just wait until September when the World Cup comes round. He's a bit of a rugby legend and it pains me to say it, but possibly better than Jonny. Unsurprisingly he ran the show. Not only did he score the first try of the game but he also kicked four penalties and one conversion on the way to a 38-3 scoreline. The other big names on show included Richie McCaw, Anton Oliver, Josh Blackie, Carl Hayman and Reuben Thorne. As in Auckland, at the end of the game it was possible to go autograph hunting and although only one of the big names did the rounds, I did see a few of the more famous players close up and I can definitely say I wouldn't like to get on the wrong side of them.

The Highlander's stadium is the Carisbrook, a small stadium that it is more commonly known amongst the locals as 'The House of Pain' and as the chants of 'Goooooo Highlandersss...... Welcome to the House of Pain' ran out around the stadium it was hard not to join in.

Sunday morning saw me up early and heading to the most photographed building in the whole of New Zealand; Dunedin's Railway Station. I thought I'd join the masses and took a photograph before making my way to the Otago Museum where a spectacular exhibition on Antarctica was being shown. After spending more than an hour browsing it was time for a quick refuel before visiting the town's Art Gallery where I was infuriated by people's definitions of 'art'. Some of the displays were just outright ridiculous and if people actually get paid for these kind of things, and I'm guessing the do, handsomely, then I am in the wrong profession.

Needing a beer to recover my composure I headed to Speight's Brewery and jumped on a tour. The tour was okay but the best part came at the end with the free tasting session. Twenty minutes later and having tried all of the six beers at least once, as well as one several more times, I stumbled out onto the street and back to the hostel.

The following day saw us transferring back across the province of Otago to Queenstown. After checking into the hostel there was only one thing to do to signal my arrival back in the town. yep, you've guessed it, Fergburger. I was joined by Rob and Anna and together we tucked into our burgers. They were just as good as the first time and after being right-royally stuffed on burger and fries, I rolled back to the hostel for a recovery period. Later on in the evening Rob and I headed out for drinks and we managed to blag free drinks in the land of the teapot, two double whiskey and cokes for filling out a questionnaire on our accommodation, before we shared a teapot.

Tuesday was the day Rob and Anna left to continue their travels north and after waving them off, I trekked up the path to the top of the Skyline Gondola for magnificent views out over the town and across to the Remarkables. At the top of the gondola is a luge track with two different routes and I felt it only right to try them out. It was so much fun and both are pretty fast. After doing each track once, I paid more money to try my hand at the advanced one again with the idea of filming it on my camera. What happened next was I couldn't control the sled properly with one hand and thus I crashed. It wasn't my fault though, I promise.

After ambling back down, I went to the hostel for a power nap before heading out to explore the shops and attractions. I decided against being a 'fatty fat fat' and stayed away from Fergburger, instead doing some food shopping and then heading back to the hostel to meet my new room mates. Now this is where I have to ask for forgiveness as Lord, I have sinned. The people in my room where off the Kiwi Bus (it pains me to admit this) and they were actually 'normal'! They invited me out for the night and so last night I became an honorary member of the Kiwi Experience. After getting cheap drinks in the hostel's bar we headed to the teapot kingdom where I blagged yet more free drinks by using the password for those off the Kiwi bus. After several free drinks I had one last teapot before dancing the night away. It was a good night but nothing could compare to the time I did teapots with the Stray crew, and that I am certain of.

And that brings me to today. After indulging in a Subway sandwich for brunch, I hired a mountain bike and set off to explore the many trails around the town. After walking up to the gondola, I slid my way down the 'Vertigo' mountain bike track. The ride was exhilarating and so much fun, even when my backside was hanging further back than my back wheel and I was pulling the brake as hard as I could. It was so so good. From there I headed along Lake Wakitapu to do a few more trails and to sit on secluded beaches watching the world go by. The sun was shining, yet it was quite chilly, but the views were magnificent and the experience was well worth the $30 rental.

The bike was safely returned and I embarked on a little retail therapy. After buying a new hoody top I made my way to the Internet cafe where I am right now, surprisingly. From here I am going to do the right thing and pay my last respects to the world of Ferg. That's right, another Fergburger is calling and from there I will retire to my room for some much needed sleep.

Tomorrow I depart Queenstown. I was hoping to head back to Wanaka but the Stray bus timetable has gone haywire and they are now only running a few buses in and out of Queenstown. Hence, I will not be going to see Shania Twain in Tracey's auntie's hotel, and that really hurts. Man, I feel like a woman. Instead I am off to do whitewater rafting before eventually arriving in Christchurch on my way back up to Auckland.

Although my time in Queenstown has been brief, I've had time to look into buying property here. Realising that it is tres expensive, I will try and find a young lady who already lives here, wish me luck. Hang on Ferg, I'm on my way......................