Hiya, had a fun packed week and a bit! Got the Tranz Alpine train across from Christchurch to Greymouth, amazing views of rivers, hillsides and vast nothing-ness! Then spent a day in Abel Tasman, did a walk along the bays edge - however got our wires crossed with which path to take so ended up walking 1.5 hours longer than needed to! Meant we only had 15 mins to gobble our lunch before jumping into a 2-man kayak and rowing back! Was a great day though, very tropi...

On our last day in Christchurch now - boo! Sad to be leaving! Going to have to return to the red hoose and pack my rucksack - we weren't on good terms last time but will see how this evening goes with the space and clothes to fit in! It was strange handing in my notice to the bar, think this could possibley be the shortest employment I have ever had! Went to a Winery Tour yestersay - The Mud house, Wiapara Springs and Peagasus Bay, lots of very nice wines, a fe...

Hiya, long time no blog I know! sorry! Been settling into the Kiwi lifestyle well, working away in The Yellow Cross Bar, nothing to do with religion despite the name! It used to be a wool factory and has been converted into a cool old fashioned brewery style pub! There is an upstairs with balcony - lovely sun trap in the early evening, and rock bands play there every thursday to saturday night, great pizza and pasta meals and everyday a guitar player or jazz ...

Had fab time in Rotorua where we went to the mud baths! Got soaked walking round the bubbling mud pools and geysers but all was good when we soaked in the mud baths! Felt like a pig rolling in mud though! The Lake Taupo was the next stop, where I did a skydive! Totally mental but so much fun! Got a CD with some clips before I jumped and on then on the ground so will show you when I return! Wellingotn for Christmas! Got a fab deal on lastminute.com on a 4...

Arrived in Auckland safely, lots of flight changed from Fiji, but our heads were on 'Fiji time' so was all good! Hostel very nice and got a room to ourselves which is nice to get a good nights sleep! Did some sight seeing of Auckland today and went up the Sky Tower for 360* views over Auckland - it was great! Tried to persuade Jenny to do the Bungee or Sky Walk but she was having none of it! Needless to say I wasn't planning on doing it either! Had a lovely ...