Tena Koutou
16/03/2010 Our short 3hr hop across the Tasman sea bought us to windy Wellington, On the north island of New Zealand, After 2 dog searches, X-rays, and no forwarding ticket documentation questioning they finally allowed us in. A 16 degree drop in temperature greeted us, as a biting wind drove up the Cook straights (What a culture shock, bloody freezing), We put on our warmest clothes even with our rain mac,s over the top, and lent head first into the wind to explore windy Welly (locals name).A small capital city with an English feel and a hilly San Franciscan look. We found the Chaffers are a big name here, the first harbour master and sea captain, was one of the original land owners, even a passage of water and art gallery are named after him (Us)..
19/03/2010 Our lucky day the wind dropped the sun came out and our 3hr, 50 mile ferry crossing to Picton on the South island was made a pleasant experience, We were escorted into the long Queen Charlotte Sound by a school of playful dolphins, The forest tree's are in there autumn finery as they hang on the sides of the mountains, Making a spectacular backdrop and realisation the season has changed.(The Ambre solaire has temporarily been packed away). Small unhurried Picton is the gateway to the South island. And from where the Mail boat took us on its delivery round to Ships Cove, The cove is where Captain Cook hoisted the flag for king and country in 1770 and for us to start a 6hr tramp and along the Sound (tramp is local for trek).The following day we met up with the Stray travel bus and its 22year old girlie driver, the hop on/off bus for our tour of New Zealand, Starting with tramping in the Able Tasman park and staying in a 2.5mx3m camping hut, Then on down the west coast taking in awesome sea blow holes, rugged scenery and New Zealand seals and their pups on our way to Barrytown, (not really a town it has 4 houses and they are all a bit of interbred hippie types), Barrytown was a treat!, a bigger space but a corrugated room with a sloping floor causing me to keep rolling across the bed, (luxury).
24/03/2010 The pouring rain eased as we arrived in Franz Josef for probably the highlight of the southern island, The mighty Franz Josef glacier an absolutely awesome 9hr hike up, along, under and through the blue ice fields, Our guide AJ was great he kept taking us off the beaten track and cutting new routes, so we made full use of ropes, ice axes and crampon boots, Sliding sideways along crevasses and tunnelling through the ice, Fantastic scenery and a superb day.
On to Makarora another big town of 40 people, On our campsite/petrol station/ airport/shop/ and restaurant in which everyone had to sing karaoke, a terrible experience (Our debut on the mike , and probably our last).
27/03/2010 Took us to the adrenalin junkie Mecca, Queenstown, On the way we stopped at AJ Hackett's BUNGY, The first commercial bungy jump in the world, 43m off the Kawarau bridge over the river, First jumper of the afternoon was yours truly followed by Honey the girlie bus driver, the only two from the bus.(check out the video) I'm wearing the tee shirt!. In Queenstown if there's a adrenalin hit to be made, This is the place, the Kiwi's and anyone else mad enough jump off or out of everything, and with Stunt planes, Jet boats, river rafting the list is endless surrounded by yet again awesome scenery.
29/03/2010 On to Christchurch for a couple of days A journey of more jaw dropping vistas as the first snows are now settling on the mountains.
We found the South island a great place with really friendly helpful locals, If you like the great outdoors, Trekking with wow moments at every turn and every adventure activity this is the place, We loved it.

Haere ra the Chaffer's