Hey Guys, here's the latest instalment of JB's World Tour,

Been on the south island since wed 04/06/08. Stayed over in Nelson, where we shared with Dee, a german girl from near Frankfurt, via a vineyard for wine sampling. I'd been suffering a tummy upset, (I had been cooking for myself!)so just lay low for the evening. Next day we travelled through stunning scenery to Westport. A small town that has a thriving fishing industry, over 50% of the worlds Hoki is shipped from here. Mullet haircuts & wellies seem compulsery accessories for men here! Next day on the go again, had a great walk at Lake Rotoiti watching out for Possum traps! Have had to buy 2 more pairs of thermal socks, its got seriously cold here.

Friday 06/06/08 was Les' Pub on the shores of Lake Mahinapua (maa-he-naa-poo-a). Les is 83 years young and was the kife and soul of his 'P' themed party having already BBQ'd 50 steaks for us! His bar is decorated with over 3500 polaroids of backpacker partys. check-out the pics !~ I also have to own up to showing the Welsh guys how to headbang!!! OK thats enough on that, I had drunk 3l of beer by this time.

We had a very entertaining stop at Pete's Bushcraft Centre. It featured in Billy Connelys world tour of NZ.and I was almont tempted to try his Possum Pie. The heavy rain on arrival in Franz Josef Village kinda spoiled our view of the mountain, but next morning we had fantastic blue skies. Natalie, Dee and I joined 19 others for a fabulous day on the glacier, 15 mins scenic helicopter tour up the mountain and over 3 hours hiking up, over,& through the glacier. check-out my pics, they dont do it justice. Yep, I had a fall but it just made the others laugh. Dee helped me touch up my hair and we had dinner out at a sports bar, euro 2008 is on & Nats and Dee are fans.

Today we climbed up and over the southern alps, amazing, its so like Norway. We're staying in a hotel tonight, theres no backpacker hostel in the small town of Wanaka but in a few weeks it will be hotching with skiers when the season opens. I'm booked for beginers skiing in Queenstown, we get ther tomorrow for 2 1/2 days.

catch ya all later, keep leaving me messages.

lots of love Janet. xx