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Hello eveyone!!! Kia Ora
We're in New Zealand now. since we last spoke this is what has happened:
On Wednesday we started the day with a Fijian cooking demonstration - Jim and Baron from the hotel cooked 3 reef fish for us, some casava and coconut on an open fire, the fish was so fresh it was delicious with a bit of chili and lemon sauce. then we played some volleyball with the staff and guests at the hotel, and then for a little swim in the sea for Tom. The evening we had more singing from the staff, and a farewell song for us (Isa Lei) and some Kava to drink.
On thursday before we left the island we managed to get a lesson in Fijian language which soon degenerated into a game of pictionary and charades instead. Then went into Lautoka town for delicious cheap vegetarian indian food, and a shearing for Tom's head. then we went back to Nadi for the last few days on Fiji.
On Friday went into Nadi town and the evening to a club in Lautoka with some guests and staff from Bekana Island for some dancing.
Saturday was spent soaking up the last few rays of sunlight and relaxing in the pool (again) before more fire dancing in the evening, then to bed early so we could wake up in time for the early flight to Christchurch on Sunday.
Once in Christchurch we didn't get up to much the first day, but on Monday we went into the city to look around. its the 3rd largest city of NZ but only has 330000 people, so not very big. went to the museum to learn about mauri culture and geology, an egyptian mummy and an antarctic station.
Tuesday we picked up the car - an old (1999) hyundai accent (in purple), and went out to the antarctic centre, here you learn about the antarctic, living there and get to experience a 'storm' where there is real snow in the room and the temperature is -8degrees, until the wind starts and takes it down to minus 25!! a bit chilly but luckily we had a big coat on - a bit different from Fiji!
On Wednesday we headed to Lake Tekapo on the scenic inland route along the bottom of the mountains, and on arrival had lovely views along the lake to snow capped mountains.
Unfortunately when we woke up on thursday the snow was falling and the clouds were down so the snow capped mountains were no longer in view, but after a walk around the village to the Church of the good Shepherd and the memorial to the collie dog (for making farming possible in the area!) the clouds had lifted a little and we were able to climb mount John, for some great views of Lake Tekapo and Lake Alexandrina.
On Friday we headed off to Wanaka, (a change to our plans as no accomodation was available in Queenstown, so we decided to come here first, then stop in Queenstown next week). Tomorrow we will go to Puzzling World to get lost in the 3D Maze, the wander around town a bit.
We have booked a trip out onto Milford Sound on Tuesday to see the Fjords, we were going to drive there ourselves, but as you're not allowed to unless you have snowchains, decided the safer option is to get the bus!
Love to all, hope everyone is well
Yvette and Tom
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