Hello from New Zealand! Sadly my three months in Australia are up but with a smile on my face and several layers of warm clothing I'm starting to make my way around New Zealand. My last few days in Sydney were a hectic mix of sightseeing and running some last minute errands. Having been lucky enough to have been to Sydney before, seeing the Harbour Bridge and Opera House felt like visiting old friends! However all too soon it was time to catch my three hour flight to Christchurch. The difference in temperature was obvious as soon as i stepped off the plane; outside it was grey, overcast and 7 degrees. I spent a few days in Christchurch seeing the sights and walking some trails. I took a gondola ride to a viewing platform that over looks the town of Lyttleton which is part of the Banks Peninsular. The Peninsular was created through volcanic activity millions of years ago and it was volcanic matter that created the Canterbury plains on which Christchurch is situated. The land formations are incredible! After a few days in Christchurch to get myself comfortable with the colder climate I started on my tour of the South Island. The first part of my journey was on the Tranz Alpine Train which crosses the South island from east to west and runs through the Southern Alps and Arthur's Pass National Park. There is an open carriage where you are able to take photos of the amazing scenery as you travel pass. The end of the line is a town called Greymouth which doesn't have very much to keep you occupied, well apart from the one bar that does a $5 bbq in the evenings! I decided that it would be a good idea to make a move the next day to my next stop, Franz Josef, where I am now. Franz as it's locally known has one major point of interest that keeps people visiting all year round. It has one of the only advancing glaciers in the world. New Zealand has two advancing Glaciers the other is in the next twon a long and is called Fox Glacier. We were told that most Glaciers in the world are retreating due to global warming which makes Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers unique. The main activity in Franz is Glacier Hiking for either half, three quarters or a full day. I chose to do the three quarter day which gives you four hours of time on the Glacier. The first hour is climbing up the face of the ice, the following two hours are free guiding where our guide for the day makes out a path as we walk around the glacier and the last hour is making our way back down. The guide company gives you all the outer clothing - water resistant trousers and jacket as well as hat, gloves, boots and crampons, but its down to you to where enough layers to keep warm. It was a fantastic day hiking through natural tunnels and crevasses. It is a long day and by the evening I was tired and I ached all over but it was worth the experience. Today is my last day in Franz and I've just been taking it easy before heading to my next destination tomorrow - Wanaka. I hope everyone is well and will catch up more soon, Love Saz xx