New Zealand

One of my favorite places to date. Like everywhere in the south, stunning views and scenery. I could have stared at the lake all day. Took a walk around a part of it (its absolutely huge....we drove for about 30 minutes along it!). Went to Cinema Paridiso famous for it's varied seating including a beetle! Not the bug but an actual car! Maybe a pilots seat would be more your cup of tea, or just a simple sofa!

As we were wandering through the town we stumbled upon a massacre....lots of dead deer, boars,rabbits, goats etc all laying out, gutted in front of a pub with the locals checking out their kill and standing drinking their pints whilst standing on the carcasses! We were informed that this is a weekly event of a contest of how many animals can you kill. This was not the only random actvity of the locals, the other, to stand on your car bonnet whilst chatting to your friends!

On my last morning in Wanaka i decided to do some indoor rock climbing. The centre had walls with automatic belaying systems so off i went attmpting walls with block shape steps, rope walls, one in the dark and a zig zag beginner wall....actually managed to reach the top of that one. There was also a clear perspex wall with the same steps on each side where you could race your friends, a wall where you could time how long it takes you to get to the top and a simple rope ladder climb with a pink elephant at the top.

Not having had enough of Glaciers in Franz I decided to stop off at Fox. Fell on my feet as they needed a hand at the hostel so for 3 hours of changing beds and a spot of hoovering I got my bed for the night free and a lift to the Glacier..oh and dinner cooked for me. Sweet! Not much to say really, lots of ice, however as i walked up to it i heard what sounded like thunder and then a whole load of ice just fell away....crazy!

Visited Lake Matheson when I was on the bus from Fox to Wanaka. OMG...this has to be the most stunning lake in the world. I took so many pitures of the same thing in an attempt to capture the beauty of this place. Nope, couldn't manage it so you'll have to come to NZ and soak up the amazing atmosphere and beauty of this natural wonder.

Cape Foulwind,Punakaki-Pancake Rocks & Greymouth

These were all the places i visited between Nelson and Greymouth on the Magic bus. Lots of awesome views and it was fantastic to see such a thriving seal colony at the cape. The waves along this coast were fierce, got to watch them in their full glory as we walked the truman track. The pancake rocks really did look like stacks of pancakes..just a shame the heaven's opened as we got there and it wasn't pleasant to stand around too long. The blowholes were pretty impressive too.

Greymouth didn't have too much to offer but we did stay in Noah's ark...no not the Noah's ark but a hostel with animal themed rooms! The stuffed oversized lion in our 'lion' room did the rounds bed hopping...hussy!!

Ross & Lake Mapourika

From greymouth to Franz Joseph we took in a town that is sitting on $600 million worth of gold. The people of Ross refuse to move until they get better deals from the investors. Visited a gold mine museum and was shown how to pan for gold. Onwards we stopped at this glorious lake just before we reached Franz.

Off to the south island I go! The ferry crossing made me feel a bit queezy i'm not going to lie to you but when i arrived in Picton it was all worth it. This place is just a harbour town but it has some stunning views on offer and a great hostel called the villa where i made use of the spa and loved the homecooked apple crumble!

What can i say about Nelson that is positive? This town was pretty ugly to be honest...maybe it looks better in the sun!

Went on a day trip to Abel Tasman national park where i went on a speed boat cruise and then completed a 4hr walk of part of the park. Stunning views, stream crossing and walks to bays. Visited by some of the native birds while I was eating my lunch looking out to sea.

The first place in NZ where I have had such a spectacular view of snow capped mountains from outside my hostel. Did a Glacier walk which was amazing...saw lots of blue ice and had to crawl through ice rocks. Kited out with crampons we climbed the glacier by following the guide who cut out steps in the ice. For someone who is always cold it wasn't bad up there..not even below 0 We were up on the glacier for about 4 hours, i have to say it is one of the most random places i have eaten my lunch on!

The town is very small but beautiful. I strolled through the lanes and looked around the souviner shops, even watch people on an inside ice climbing wall..the only one in the southern hemisphere. Also visted the two churches in the township where from one I took some amazing shots of the mountains and glacier through the church alter window!