Hey all so last time i was in Taupo. Got some major up dating to do then.

After Lake Taupo we headed to National park where we did the Tongariro crossing. Which is a 19km hike across a volcano. I ended up staying here for 3 nts as the weather wasnt to good so the walk got cancelled a few times but managed to do it on the last day. It was so hard well the first 3 hrs were all up hill. Glad i did it though although my knees weren't i couldn't walk for days after.

From here i headed to Wellington for 2nts. Had a rubbish driver on this leg. It was a newish women she just didn't know anything i think i could have done a better job. Had really good weather which was nice. Visited the museum which we were told would take 3 days to have a good look round as its so big but it took us about 3hrs. We also headed up to the botanical gardens on the cable car and then walked back which killed my knee as it was all down hill. Really liked Wellington its a cool little city and so much better in the sun. The last time i was here it wasn't brill weather. This was my last stop on the north now i was heading to the south.

I got the ferry over which took 3hrs and the scenery was amazing. Got to see some dolphins and seals too so that was cool. Once on the South i didn't have to far to go for my first stop at Nelson. I was the only one who got off here so i had to say some good byes to the guys i had been travelling with for the last 2 weeks.
There wasn't loads to do here but i did manage to book on to a wine and art tour for the next day. It was really good as there was only me and a couple from OZ on it. On my last day i wasn't being picked up till late afternoon so i walked up to the centre of NZ. It was only about a 40min walk but all up hill when i got to the top my knee was hurting so as it was a lovely sunny day i just chilled for an hour and half in the sun before i walked back down.

Next stop the beautiful Abel Tasman National park. The weather was brill for the next 2 days so got to see loads of amazing scenery did a easy walk to a beach then got a sail boat back which took 3hrs. It was so nice to just chill on the boat in the sunshine. Really loved Abel Tasman its just so beautiful. After a few nights here i head to a tiny town called Barrytown.
There is really nothing here we just used it as a over night stop on route to Franz Josef. As there isn't much to do Stray (the bus company) make us do a fancy dress night. We all decided to go as something from our country. We had 1 half of Abba 2 swedish girls. A load of football players 3 irish went as a leprechaun a rainbow and a pot of gold. I was the queen. It was one of the funniest nights i've had in a long time.

The next day in the morning some of us did bone carving which was really good we got to make our own necklaces but it wasn't brill with a hang over actually i think i was still drunk!

In the afternoon we drove on to Franz Josef. The weather had turned really bad we had 3 days of non stop rain. Its been so bad out here that Queenstown has been on flood alert for days.
So Franz ended up being a wash out most activities were cancelled. I really wanted to do the Heli Hike but couldn't. We had 2 nights here and basically just ended up spending most of our time in the bar. There were some hot pools which i did go to one afternoon.

The next day was still raining as we headed down to Makaroa. We couldn't do anything here either cus of the weather so we just all ended up watching a movie in the drivers room called the worlds fastest indian. Its about a guy from NZ who enters a indian motorbike into the fastest land race in America. No one thinks he can beet the record but... I wont tell you the end you will have to watch it. Its actually a really good film.

From here i headed to Queenstown. The rain had stopped but we were still on flood alert and the streets were filled with sand bags some shops had closed as the lake was so high. Luckily it hasn't flooded not yet anyway. This is were i decided to do the Nevis arc swing. Google it to see but basically its the worlds largest swing with a 300m free fall drop. I was a little scared but it was so much fun. I did a tandem with one of the girls i've been travelling with for a while. After screaming our heads off we just couldn't stop laughing. Got the dvd cus its just so funny.

Yesterday i left Queenstown and headed even more south to Milford sound. We spent most of the day on the bus it was a really long drive but the scenery again was just out of this world. We did the milford sound cruise and had brilliant weather considering the rain we have had. Now i'm on Steward Island had to catch a ferry over as its just off the bottom of the south island. The sea was so rough i thought i was going to be ill. Haven't done much today as me and 3 others are staying for 3 nights and its a tiny island. Just been to the local town pub quiz and actually did really well. We got 26.5 points and the winning time got 33 so not bad for outsiders.

Im having so much fun and just loving NZ that ive chnaged my flight and now leaving on the 16th May 2 weeks later than planned.

Hope everyone is well, will update you on the next part in a few weeks.
Loads of Love
Michelle xxxx