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Having a fab time on the south island and packing loads in! Its so beautiful here!!
Since I last wrote we got the ferry over from Wellington- Picton.It took about 3 hours and the sea was nice and calm so all was good! Managed to catch up on some sleep on the way over aswell! Our driver was the legendry Veno who had toured us around the north island.....
After departing from Picton we went to Abel Tasman National Park where I decided to fly a stunt plane! This has to be one of the best things I have done in a while! Was a great experience and a real adrenaline rush. Once I was all signed up for the flight I was given a very sexy all in one flying suit. I quickly wrapped my bargain scarf from Jay Jays Store round my neck and got amongst the action. The pilot pointed out to me that there was a sick bag in my left knee pocket just in case. I told him I'd be fine, although I was a tad worried as I'd just eaten a massive lunch.......Within 2 minutes of take off the pilot let me have full control on the plane and I was doing barrel rolls. His instructions to me over the radio were very brief but quite precise "On the count of 3 push the control hard left till I say stop "....Hmmm I was a tad nervous as you could imagine......After doing several barrel rolls I was happy I had mastered the controls and there was no stopping me! We then progressed to doing loop the loop and some quarter turns. We next did some nose dives and hung upside down in the plane with my hands off the controls-Cool experience but again very scary so I was very glad of my tight fitting seat belt!
We visited a quite town near the Abel Tasman National Park known as Barry Town. Its population was said to be 7.Here sheep definatly out numbered humans in this quite sleepy town...We stayed at a pub where we had the most amazing Kiwi roast. I would say it was on a par with my Mums roast but clearly it couldn't be better! Great attempt though and nice to have home cooked food instead of our usual pasta or toast cusine! Around Barrytown we visited the beautiful coastline where we saw the pancake rock formations, blow holes and crashing waves. Some stunning scenery to be seen. That night in Barry Town we dressed some of the boys up as women...You have to make some kind of entertainment when the sleepy town has only a population of 7.It was a great night and many Jagerbombs later we were soon in party mode...A fab eve had by all and I even managed to serve behind the bar......Don't remember much about this part of the evening just saw Emma's photo's the next day!
After the overpopulated sheep town of Barry we headed south to Franz Josef Glacier where we stayed for 2 nights. There was a definite nip in the air here but our accommodation was warm and toastie so everything was fine.The accomodation also boosted a hot tube, this time however there was no beastie dog to chase us-thank goodnes! On our first day we went to the top of the glacier where we climbed amongst the ice. Had to wear these massive snow boats and attach grips to the bottoms. The scenery was lovely and the ice so white and pure that it almost blinded us! Actually had to wear sunnies the whole time!Loads of ice formations to walk through and under so got well amongst it! Had a fantastic view of the slopes below and the surrounding mountains-beautiful.
Heading west we took a tour to Milford Sound which is stunning Fiordland. Here you can see the famous Mitre peak and we took a boat tour from the fiord out to sea. Loads of sheer drop cliffs with waterfalls and snow capped mountains behind. We even saw some dolphins swimming alongside our boat and seals along the rock edges! Managed to get out my famous British flag and have some pics taken with it while the many Japanese tourists looked and pointed at me! I felt abit special though as many of them began to take photos and videos of me! My only concern was when one women handed me a piece of paper and a pen and requested an autograph???
Onwards from Milford we visted Stewart Island where we went on a great walk around the island out to its light house.Many different birds to be seen and again dolphins could be seen out at sea.Only wish the view from Bognor beach could provide this much beauty!!!
Have also maaged to to see the Haka proformed and go to an all you can eat buffet dinner.Here we maanged to eat 6 plate fulls of food plus sneak out sandwiches we made under the table for our lunch the next day- only a cheapie backpacker could get away with this type of behaviour!!!
Now its back to Queenstown to book ski lessons.Onwards and upwards to the slopes I say!
Tonight we hit World bar where apparently you drink cocktails from teapots...I will let you know what I think to this crazy idea once I've sampled a few....
Jen xxx
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