It was the start of the South Island now and we had heard such good things!

After we got off the ferry we still had a long drive until we reached Kaiteriteri, which was near Abel Tasman national park. We stopped for dinner supplies and arrived in time to get dinner started!! We put together delicious sausages, onions, mash potato and gravy it was definitely what the doctor ordered!!

After dinner we headed to the bar where we took part in a trivia quiz! We split up the teams and ended up having so much fun!! It was a very quite place and we all showered got into our jammies and when we were all ready we went to bed!! I had asked the bus driver to book my skydive earlier today but he let me know before bed that it has been cancelled :( due to a lot of clouds!! I was upset but I have plenty of time elsewhere to get it done!!

And then it was the 8th of May- MY BIRTHDAY YEY!! I got up and opened cards from Ed, Jenna, Beth and a signed card from all my friends on the kiwi bus. Ed had got me a lovely thermal hat as it's so cold and a chocolate heart yummy!! We had a birthday breakfast and before heading to Westport on the bus we had a walk down to the beach. Friends had wrote in the sand 'Happy Birthday Amy XX' which was a lovely surprise :)! I had a few tears earlier as I'm sad I'm not with those I love the most but I can't complain I'm in the most beautiful country in the world and have met some lovely people to share it with!! The weather was gorgeous and I couldn't understand why I couldn't do my skydive but hey!

Everyone on the bus made me feel special for the day and sang happy birthday to me on the bus which was nice!! We had a long drive today and a few of us had to pee in the wilderness as there wasn't available toilets!! We finally arrived at Nelson Lake where we had copious amounts of pictures with the mirrored mountains reflecting in the water it was stunning! Ed and Pete jumped in, it was freezing!! The lake was filled with massive eels, us girls decided to stay out!! We played games together on the bus and shared travelling stories it was lovely to hear all the different places and things others have experienced!!

We stopped off at a cute little cafe where Ed and I shared a massive slice of chocolate orange cake yum yum!! It's not your birthday until you've had cake!! We drove through Buller Gorge which was magnificent the amount of water that has reportedly passed through this lake is insane!!

We finally arrived at the hostel in Westport which was extremely cute. Ed and I had our own room which was nice and they had free wifi which was brilliant as I got to read all my messages from loved ones at home!! We headed out to grab dinner and alcohol as we plan to go out tonight and celebrate!!

I decided to wear a dress which was daring as it was freezing outside but I wanted to make an effort. Everyone was shocked to see me with make up on, a dress and my hair straightened, it felt good!! We ate and drank together and I was surprised by Ed with some cake and a candle, they all again sang to me!! The girls brought me a bottle of champagne too which was lovely of them! I even had chance to quickly Skype Charlotte back home which was really nice!! We had a brilliant night altogether at a local bar which was very strange and one of the locals could take his fake eye out and put it in his drink!! Eww!! We played pool and the locals sang to me in Maori which was lovely and the Welshies sang to me in Welsh :)! This massive Maori man chest pumped me and I went flying to the other end of the bar it was hilarious!! I shared my cake with everyone when we got home. All in all I had an amazing day this side of the world!! I was very thankful for bed but had to set my alarm early to Skype home!!

We were up at 6am and I had time to Skype Megan, Mum, Dad, Sue and Jim- Ed's parents. It was lovely to see and speak to everyone!! We got on the bus today and headed for Franz Josef!! In the morning our new bus driver took us for a gorgeous morning walk where we walked along the coast and spotted the largest seal colony in New Zealand they were very cute!! We hit the road and stopped again an hour later to walk and see Pancake rocks which were stunning!! The drive was gorgeous all the way, we of course had a few stops for toilet, lunch and groceries!! We passed through a small mining town that recently lost the lives of a few of their workers and their bodies are still trapped in the mine. It's a sad town and they are currently in protest to try and get the mine reopened to recover the bodies!!

We finally arrived at the hostel in Franz which was like a ski lodge it was lovely. They even have a big orange cat it's so cute, I feel right at home!! We settled in and jumped in the largest hot tub in New Zealand it can seat up to 18 people!! We had a good soak and a catch up with our friends as our old bus were stopping for 2 days so we got to spend some time with them!!

We had showers and made dinner! I'm so tight on my budget at the moment that I had tinned spaghetti and a bread roll!! Boo :(!! We headed to the bar after to play pool and socialise!! We headed to Petes room around 15 of us and chilled out before deciding to go to the TV room. However as we were all so cold we headed to bed. We had 2 quilts, jumpers and thick socks on as well as our jammies!!

The next day we had planned to explore the glacier. We woke up early and headed for the meeting point where we were kitted out in warm clothes and ice boots. After we were led to the helicopter that took us to it. I was nervous for the ride but it ended up being extremely fun!! The glacier is huge!! We learnt so much about the glacier and we were shown how much it moves everyday!! The saddest thing of all is that the glacier will soon no longer exist they have put a time frame of 50 years left. That's a lot of Ice to shift as it's up to 70 metres thick!! The day was so cool we were shown moulas where apparently people have fallen and become trapped and died previously these were scary and we were told to act safe around them!! We slipped and trekked our way through crevasses which was awesome! The guide had to carve away at the ice to ensure we had a continuous steady trial to follow.

Once we reached our highest point of climb we stood and watched a few of the ice ab sailers do their thing, it was fascinating!! We then stripped off when out of site from anyone and had a group shot half naked on a glacier. Us girls just took all our upper bodies clothes off but the lads went the full mile and just about had their decency covered with a mitten!!

What a fantastic day we had something I will never forget!! Our helicopter ride home topped it off!! The driver surprised us and started heading vertically instead of horizontally which was the strangest feeling ever!! Afters we did feel a little sick but what a thrill to end the day!!

We had naps once we got back as it was tiring digging your feet into the sheets of ice whilst climbing up hill. Once we had all woken up we headed to the local hot pools which was free with our climb ticket! The pools were 40 degrees and outside was freezing it was a brilliant combination. We all sat and watched a film together when we got back and I cooked a spaghetti carbonara for Ed and Sally!! It was so yummy if I do say so myself!! Us girls chilled all night and caught up with diary and blog writing!! Whilst the lads went out for a few drinks!! Sad to leave Franz Josef tomorrow it's a lovely place just wish we had more time!

On the 11th we set off early for Wanaka!! In the morning we stopped at Lake Matheson for a lovely walk and to capture the mirrored views of mount cook!! We enjoyed lunch at another stop surrounded by the southern alps!! It was truly breath taking I thought these views were photoshopped but they actually exist!! The whole drive to Wanaka consisted of mostly Lakes which were completely insane.

Once in Wanaka finally we headed for a grocery shop and went and watched the boys play a football match!! It was so much fun taking the mickey out of tthem!! We decided to do a group meal of green Thai curry tonight yum yum!! We all helped prepare, eat and wash up!! As we are preparing for queenstown we decided to have a family night in and once again catch a movie! We had separate girls and boys rooms this evening and had a girly pamper!!

Today was the day we headed to Queenstown. We had the option to visit puzzle world but opted out and had a final walk around Wanaka it is a very picturesque sweet town. I was having a sad day today and whilst writing my postcards I had a few tears about not being at home!! I think I just needed time alone as being part of a large group of people and amongst company all the time can get tough!

Keep checking for my next update on reaching Queenstown and what we get up too!!