4th Feb, wow sorry I havent written for ages, I have been loving every minute and really getting in to everything, meeting people and just all the travelling, shame its nearly coming to an end.
So today we got the bus to Abel Tasmin, which is absolutly gorgeous, it was a short boat cruise then a 4 hour walk. Along the coast line it was just incredible. We had a stop for lunch on the beach and then another beach for a sunbath - the weather was fabulous ! We loved it. Then in eve wen out for dinner with a girl Sarah who has been with us for a while, and we just left her today :(
Next day we got the bus to greymouth, there is amazing scenery on the way, we stopped at the pancake rocks and had some lunch at a seal colony. Not much to do when you get there, so we went on the Monteiths Brewery tour. Was such a great night, there were 5 of us, a lovely lady we met Sam had joined us, really good, got to try their 7 beers then pull a pint of your favourite. We were a little merry leaving the pub ! Included in our ticket we got free dinner, so went to the pub for a delicious pie and mash :) ooh I forgot to mention, when we arrived at the hostel, a box from the bakery arrived, which happened every day when it closed, so we had cream buns ! YUM! Next day we got the bus to Franz Josef and we panned for gold on the way ! Bit of a rip off though as the pan is already set so no hope of really fiding v much, but it was fun and met Brian from Florida who weve spent a few days with. We then went to the Bushmans centre, think you may have seens pics on facebook of this crazy place, the guy was a nutter ! We watched a video on how they used to catch deer years ago - by flying over in a helicopter and jumping out on to their backs !! We then arrived at YHA and met a few guys in the kitchen for lunch. In the afternoon we all just chilled out and watched a film and had the hostels free popcorn :) In the eve we went out for a quiet one as our hike was the next day.
So, what a day !! I was a little nervous about this anyway as im not the best climber, and boy was it challenging !! I cried once (to myself) fell over, needed a firemans lift and absolutly loved parts of it !! It was a steep climb up what was a glacier covered in rock, not feeling so comfortbale, and liking the leader of the slowest group, we opted for that team. The leaders have to basically carve out the steps you walk up so the more teams having gone over it, the bigger the steps got !! :) There were tight squeezes and well, was just so challenging. Amazing views and quite an experience !! Not sure id do it again ! ;) We spent 7 hours hiking on the ice so our efforts were rewarded with the hot pools. ! A gorgeous little spa consisting of 3 hot pools, was soooo nice !! We then went out for dinner with Sam & Pinar, were all so exhausted though so bed shortly afterwards.
On the 8th we got the bus to Queenstown and were so surprised how lovely it was. We were expecting a big city but it was a small quaint place with lovely shops and cafes :) So we loved it ! The air con on the bus wasnt working though so the journey wasnt the best. On the wat we stopped at the home of the 1st ever bungee - by A J Hacket and watched a few crazy people jump !! I was beginning to be tempted but have heard of peoples eyes being dislogded, ill just watch thanks !!
We also stopped at a lovely fruit market and got some yummy treats. We just spent the rest of the day wandering the town and had dinner.
The 9th was our trip to Milford Sounds - one of Nzs most visited place. And it was amazing, but was soooo disapointing at the same time, the weather was awful :( BUT...on the bus we met a girl, Katherine - and she was a Majician !! So she kept us entertained for the 2 hour boat trip :) ! Was a 5 hour journey there and 5 back, so a long bus journey ! :( In the eve we went out to the famous Fergburger which apprently does the nest ever burgers, and yep, they were amazing !!! So tasty !! We then headed out to meet up with everyone and had cocktails out of teapots !! Was a great night and a late one at that !!
Next day was another bus journey ....phew its getting tough every morning (we are here in Taupo now for 3 nights, so nice and our next bus doesnt come until 10am - wooo) sorry I went off the subject...
and I was quite ill from the night before :( This is why I dotn drink too much ! Ruins the next day !! But Lou looked after me! We arrived in Dunedin in the afternoon and its true what they say about it being the Edinburgh of NZ, we loved it. We were going to do a Cadbury tour as we didnt think there was much to do, but we cancelled it and just wandered the nice town instead. In the eve we had a few games of pool and we won $10 !! Woo ! Against boys again !! We met up with Helena who we met in OZ, and had a drink with her. The hostel was lovely but again only had the one night. Next day we were off to Lake Tekapo. In the morning we climed the WORLDS steepest road !! Good exercise 1st thing in the morning !! Was v steep indeed ! In the afternoon we arrived at our gorgeous lakeside lodge. Was such nice weather we actually got our bikinis out and made it out to sunbath by the lake - what a view of the mountains !! Incredible, I even went in for a dip but my feet went numb instantly, though I might freeze over. Was so lovely. And in the eve our bus driver had arranged for a BBQ, so we all paid $10 and had amazing food....and guess what I was incharge of....the BBQ with Sarah!!! So I did the burgers !! They were so good, homemade and I managed not to burn them !! :) Was great fun. We then went off to do a Star Gazing trip at 930pm but it was cancelled due to cloud :( SO just went back to join everyone at hostel.
Met a lovely couple, Sam & Ash who had missed their bus, so had to get another, but managed to get on the next day so we spent the next day with them :) We stopped at a lovely little english place that sold fresh cheese & chutneys and had a delcious juice. We made our little crackers on the bus and shared them around ! We then arrived in Chirtsichurch and went for a wander with them to the museam and botanical gardens, really nice. It was Sams bday the next day so we got her a little pressie and went out for a curry with them ! So tasty !! Then had a few drinks in the hostel bar with Sven and said our goodbyes. Hoping to meet up with them again in Taupo maybe tomorrow.
So then next day we got our flight to Wellington. And I was feeling calm about it, as I have done so much flying, I think my nerves have got better so I had no wine ....and OMG it was the WORST landing ever ! APARENTLY Wellington is known for its windy landings but no one told me ! And today seemed to be particularly bad. The take off was a bit bumpy but I was calm. But then came the last 10 minutes. It felt like it was stopping and starting, dropping and going higher, swerving from side to side, running out of furl and goodness knows what else. We also couldnt see the runway and thought we might land on the sea, and the actual landing too, the plane was definatly tilted. I actually thought we were going to crash for a minute, I really did and then it took ages to even stop. Apprently its also a very short runway !! So I had a little cry and was happy to be alive !!!!
We got to our hostel and crashed out on the sofa !!
We then went out to meet up with Lizzie, Lous friend from school from years ago and had lunch. She was really lovely and does the same job as me for M & C Saatchi. So we spent the day with her, had a cuppa at her gorgeous little house and then Lou and I went out for dinner as she had a party. We then met up with her after for a night out :) Next day we slept in until about midday - it was amazing !! We then wandered the shops and went to Lizzies in the evening for a yummy green thai curry !! Was so nice. Her boyfriend Sven, was sailing that day so we went down to meet them all at the clubhouse and even got a little go in the boat :) Was fun !! Then back to their sfor pudding and a cuppa. Really lovely ! Nice to feel homely for once.
Yesterday we went to Napier and stopped on the way at a Brewery, and everyone got 3 beers for $2 so you can imagine what the bus journey was like !! I only had one of mine but still joined in with the singing !! Was a shame because we didnt arrive in time to go the the Aquariam so Lou and I just chilled and went for a yummy salad and then relaxed in the hostel....and now we have arrived in Taupo ! Weather is rubbish but going to go to the lake which is the largest in NZ !

Hope all is well !! Cant wait to see you all xx Lots of love Michelle xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx