Sun, Snow and Freefall!!!!

Happy Weekend everybody!!

I know i say it everytime, but this week has gone even quicker and its Saturday nite again and im completly beat! Its been an adrenaline buzzing week and we have seen so much!!

So now we are in the south island and i absolutly love it! We arrived in Queenstown (the backpacker capital) on Monday after a small delay with our flight - we ended up flying via Christchurch and being delayed for a couple of hours but we got a free lunch out of it, so wasnt going to complain!! The sun has shone everyday this week, there has not been a cloud in the sky and im now sporting some very good sunglasses marks and a rudolph nose that Ruth you would be proud of! Even with the factor 30 on - the o zone layer is so thin here - you dont really stand a chance!

Anyway, we decided to make the most of the fine weather and on Tuseday finally plucked up the courage again, ceased the moment and did our skydive over Lake Wanaka and it was AWESOME!! The guys said it was the best day they have had all year and there was not a cloud in the sky. We got some amazing views over the southern alps - could see all the way up to Mount Cook and it was just the best feeling in the world! I cant believe how much i enjoyed it and as soon as i was down i was like - can i go again!! Im really pleased with the photos (i left the cd in the room so will have to upload some more next time) but the DVD is quality and i will be having a showing once home! Bring your popcorn!

So we celebrated that nite with a rotasirey chicken!! i know, we really know how to have a good time! Wednesday we then spent the day in Queenstown, after 2 nights of being there but not seeing the town it was good to actually see it and wonder around! I really like it there, it has a good feel, not too small like some of the other places but hasnt got that city feeling either. We climbed to the top of the gondola (it meant saving $25 and we like a good tramp!) and we were greeted with spectacular views over the town. It took us an hour to climb up, but as you can see it was well worth it!

So on Thursday morning we left Queenstown nice and early and made the 8hr bus ride to Franz Josef. This is not like your average trip around the M25 it has to be one of the most spectacular bus rides ever up the south west coast. We were in Narnia and Lord of The Rings land all day, and i caught a bit of LOTR last nite in the TV lounge and all i can see now in New Zealand. I love travelling in NZ - there are no cars, so there are no traffic jams, there is spectacular scenery and you dont get motor way services (because there are no motorways) instead you get amazing road side cafes with the best muffins, hot chocolates and apple pies etc. I have taken not to entering these when we stop now, as the pull is too strong!! We have started using the national express equivalent of transport now, and its amazing!! We pretty much got 8 hours of commentary all the way about everything and anything! It was not too loud, so that some quality indulget i-pod time could also be had! And they even dropped us at our hostel, brilliant!

So yesterday we did the 1/2 day glacier hike up Franz Josef and it truly was sweet as, and apart from the skydive has to be my favourite thing so far! But oh my god, are my legs killing today! We have done a lot of walking since we have been here, but this was 5 hours of serious hard work, on crampons pulling yourself through ice crevises and up the other side - but it was super awesome. I learnt so much about glaciers too, which i wont bore you with, but they are always moving and you could actually see the movement - NZ is crazy for natural things like this!

So now we are back in Wanaka for the night, just above Queenstown. We are then back there for 2 nights and then we are on our final week here!! We are heading south to Milford Sound - then accross the east coast stopping off in Dunedin and Oamaru before we arrive in Christchurch next weekend!

Thats about it really, im sooo tierd tonight but as you can see all the walking has been worth it! Im looking forward to a lazy sunday in Wanaka and we have found the most amazing cafe for tea and scone so thats my sunday morning treat for breakfast!

will update again before we leave NZ - its going to be another quite remote week for internet - when they mean small settlements they really do mean about 3 buildings to the village!! But its brilliant and im having an amazing time!!

Love to everyone xxxxx