On our final day in Christchurch, we added a new memeber to our travelling party. He was a 2001 Mazda Bongo Van, and also our home for the next month as we explored New Zealand. After signing various forms to say we wouldn't write off the car (Although it would be no great loss if we had!) we filled up on fuel and supplies and began our 5'000 kilometre road trip.
Our first stop was Lake Elesmere, a couple of hours South of East of the City, where we ran into our first issue with the van (who from here on shall be called Bongo). It came with a single gas ring cooker although as it struggled to wake soup from a cold dormant state, we realised we were in for a long haul. We set off from the lake and began to head further south. As the evening grew cold we settled down for our first nights stop in a Pub Car park at the beautifal Lake Takepo.
We woke the next morning as 3 shivering wrecks, having been squashed like Sardines in a bed that would be cosey for one. Gingerly, we ventured out, before heading across the thick snow and enjoying a breakfast of Coco Pops by the shore, looking out across to the various mountain ranges.
Soon we were back on the road and heading up Mount Cook, the highest peak In Australsia. the views were stunning, especially across Lake Pukaki at the foot of teh Mountain. The roads were pretty treachorous and on two occasions we skidded off, the second of which resulting a half hour spell rescuing Bongo from a snow bank. At night, the main road became impassable, so we stopped off in Omarama, waiting for the all clear.
Over the next few days we continued South towards Invercargill, through the Catlans and to Bluff, The Southern most point of the South Island.
Our poor luck with the weather was not left in Oz, as we travelled North to see the 'Spectacular' Milford Sound, but couldn't get a boat onto the water, and had to be content with views from a distance. However, we did enjoy better views driving past Lake TeAnu and Lake Dunstan, sleeping in the Picnic spots we could find nearby.
Our drive North brought us to the Highlight of the South Island, our 3 day Snowboarding trip on Coronet Peak, in Queenstown. These 3 days were absolutely excellent (Although Alex and David, not being professionals, spent most of the first 2 days on their Backsides!)
Having completed all the runs, we headed down the mountain on our last day with tired heads and sore legs. Feeling in need of a shower, we were lucky enough to find the door of the hostel we had checked out of still open, so quashing the shame of it, we showered up then found somewhere to park for the night. The next morning we were woken by a knocking on the door. It was Dave from the council! He politely informed us we had 5 minutes to move our fine, or face a $400 fine. 2 minutes later were on the road and neading North past lake Wanaka.
Over the next 3 days we visited both the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers, 2 massive Glaciers that are tearing their way through rocks and forming massive rivers of melting ice. Alex was very pleased to see them, given they had been a big part of his A Level Geography course.
From here, we spent the next few days enjoying a scenic drive through the Northern Alps before arriving at Picton, to Catch the Interislander ferry to Wellington.