So again a lot has been happening since we last wrote. Feel like we haven't stopped as been travelling so much, we have come to love buses!! From Franz Josef we went down to Queenstown passing many beautiful lakes on the way including Lake Matheson, better known as Mirror Lake as it makes a gorgeous reflection of the mountains and trees in the water. Walked round a tiny bit of it but didn't get far as it was huge. Another stop on the way down was the Kawerau river where the very first bungy jump was opened off a bridge there. A baby in NZ terms now but it looked damn scary to us as we peered over the edge. We didn't get to see anyone jump as was too late in the day but they showed us videos of how it all started and some of the crazy jumps these people have done and it was enough to put us off. Dark by the time we arrived into Queenstown with snow everywhere so couldn't appreciate the view it's meant to have. Stopped off to book our skiing and pick up our gear. Got kitted out in lovely waterproof clothing, gloves and goggles. Oh this should be amusing!!! Went out that night as we had been given lots of freebie vouchers. Loads of us from the bus were going so got quite a group. Tried a couple of bars first before moving onto the World Bar famous in these parts for its teapot cocktails, yes just as it sounds. You get a teapot full of some delicious cocktails and either drink from a straw in the spout or in some cases pour into shot glasses and down. A very amusing time was had by all and we even became famous ourselves with our pictures going on the screens in there. A few drinks, a bit of a dance and we were ready to hit another famous local place on the way home - Fergburger. Gigantic, can't even begin to explain!!!!

Next day we headed up to Coronet peak then dressed in our sexy outfits with as many layers underneath as we could manage. Was packed up there esp as it only one of a number of slopes around, ski and snowboard season def going strong. Was so white up there it was unreal, and oh so cold despite the layers. Had to go get more kit in the form of boots, skis and poles and we were away!! Our first lesson was just how to stand, move down very gentle slopes and stop (hopefully). We weren't too bad at this esp Jen having had ooh so much experience with a weeks skiing holiday way back in the past. Was quite good fun though. thawed out a little at lunch and stocked up our bellies ready for round two. this is when things became slightly more amusing-for Jen at least. We started doing bigger slopes and changing directions. Again Jen very good at this and coped very well, even doing the limbo moves as we tried ducking underneath objects put in our way. Liz however started losing any sort of control and fell over twice, on the first occasion not stopping in time and going straight into a queue of people and felling a youngish child in the process!!! Cue Jen hysterical laughter but luckily she didn't get camera out in time!! We did have a good day though and it went really quickly. the only disturbing part was seeing all the little tiny kids whizzing past miles better than us, sickening!!

After Queenstown we were to head to Dunedin. A big student town with not a lot going for it except....the Cadbury factory. Yes we went on a tour there and yes Jen was overwhelmed with excitement. Mind you it paid off being honest because she got extra free samples for admitting just how much chocolate she is capable of eating . Tour was good fun, we decided we'd def like to work there for a week or so just because of the smell, absolutley gorgeous. We saw a bit on how it's made and packaged, with a few free samples on the way. then we saw 1 ton of liquid chocolate fall in front of our eyes in a waterfall they have constructed. Oh how we had to resist just reaching out... We bought one or two items in the shop afterward. Simply because we couldn't believe the amount of flavours they have here. So many more than England it's ridiculous. It was very hard picking what to try but boy was it a good kinda problem to have!!

From Dunedin we worked our way up to Lake Tekapo. We stopped on the way to see the world's steepest street. Yes it was horrendous but yes we did climb up to the top of it and got some good views. We also stopped to see the Moeraki boulders on a beach somewhere. Apparently renowed for their unique shape, just looked like a bunch of round rocks to us but I don't think we were fully appreaciative due to the numbness in our fingers and toes. Weather def getting colder!! Another stop was to get an amazing view of Mount Cook and the lakes in front of it. Truly was beautiful we just wish our cameras could capture exactly what this place looks like but they just don't come out. On arrival at Lake Tekapo we were taken to the Church of the Good Shepherd, only for a minute just to look at the view basically. It's set on the edge of a point that kinda hangs out over the lake and the window looks out on the lake and mountains. A very good view for weddings we were told, cue picture!! Tekapo was a tiny little place but went for a walk round the lake and through the village for a bit anyway. Bloody freezing was the outcome of that one!! So warmed up in front of the hostel log fire for the evening in preparation to go ice skating on an outdoor ice rink that had recently opened for the season. This was quite amusing, us two and two other friends we've met haeded up there and again Jen showed her prowess for winter sports while Liz struggled to let go of the edge. Neither of us fell on our arse though which we were quite smug about. Again had a good time and kinda warmed up a bit too amazingly!! Then we all went to 'town' for a drink to the only bar there is which we then discovered was full of rugby fans watching a match. Needless to say we stopped lobg enough to enjoy some really good wedges then went back to the hostel and settled with fire and video!!

So today moved onto Christchurch. Travelling through the Canterbury plains on the way!!? Was quite a short journey luckily with a couple of stops including one very exciting one at a cookie factory!! We were very restrained though we must say!! Liked the look of Christchurch as we arrived and then went to explore. Staying right by the cathedral which very small by Canterbury standards but its quite cute here. Looked round a few shops and stopped for a Starbucks. Now just preparing for our final night in New Zealand before flying to Sydney tomorrow. Another country, weird, we can't get our heads around how many places we are going to!! Sorry bout the lack of pictures but no where will let us add them on at the mo so you'll have to wait till we get back. Hope you still enjoying our tales and feel free to comment. Liz and Jen xxxx