We arrived in Queenstown mid-afternoon and as it was raining we decided to cut our loses and stay in a hostel here in an effort to dry our stuff off!!! We checked into our hostel and walked back into town where we went to the Tourist Information (i site) where we enquired about trips to Milford Sounds/Doubtful Sounds. After going away and thinking about it we decided to bite the bullet and book the priciest trip as it was the most recommended for reasons I'm sure I will find out!!!! We have been told many times though that Doubtful Sounds is even more impressive than Milford and night time trips just make the experience all the more spectactular so i'm hoping it will become obvious why the trip cost as much as 4 nights in Fiji!!!!!

We went back to the hostel, cooked for ourself (in an attempt to saveas much money as possible to make up for the expensive trip!!!). Then we watched the film 'Crash' in our room with our American room-mate, Travis.

Yesterday was a washout really - on and off rain and really cloudy with poor visability so we had a relaxing day of internet!!!! We did however walk around the town and stumble across the disco (frisbee) golf course where we had a fleeting attempt with sam's new disc. Back in town we booked our accomodation in Fiji and then had the BIGGEST burger I have ever had for lunch from the famous 'Fergbuger'. (see photos - no joke, this burger was the size of my face!!!). Then we spent the afternoon at the hostel relaxing and reading. The boys went to play more frisbee golf whilst I read some more Harry (on the last book now!!! As Karl said, when I finish it my life will be empty as i've been consumed with harry for the best part of the last 5 months!). When they got back we went to the supermarket for food for dinner and watched 'Big Fish', which I fell asleep half way through!!!!

Today we went on the gondola and on the luge at the top. It was absolutely freezing up there but loads of fun! We came back down and played a round of mini-golf which again was lots of fun before getting lunch. I'm currently sitting in the internet cafe blogging with a soundtrack of the Beatles greatest hits!!!!! The boys are having a round of disc golf with Travis!

Tomorrow we are off to Doubtful Sounds for our overnight trip....so will update when back......

The Doubtful Sounds trip started badly.....we were forgotten and when we phoned up to see where our pick-up was they thought we were making our own way there (a 3 hour journey!!!). Luckily they stopped the bus and paid for us to get a taxi to the bus and after that all was good! In fact, the whole 'cruise' was amazing!!!! After driving to Manapouri we were taken on an hour boat journey through Lake Manapouri and the fjords to the other side where we were driven on again for another half hour or so to 'Deep Cove'. Here we boarded our boat which, compared to my last 'cruise' experience in China on the Yangzee, was absolute luxury!! We were greeted by the staff and then taken to our quad share room which was much more spacious than the quad share train carriages that it was reminiscent of!!! Then we were given muffins and were free to take in the sights along the fjordlands. Sam and Karl did some kayaking and Karl even swam in the freezing water after!!! (see pictures). I was quite content with staying on board and continued reading some Harry!!! Although I did take in the views, but at that point it was raining and really overcast. We went up to the captain's deck and had amazing views and even saw some dolphins and seals!!! We then went inside and we got talking to a Swiss girl, Eliane and an Australian Couple from Sydney who told us of their travelling experiences in the 1970s which were obviously a lot different from now (especially China!!!) Dinner was amazing compared to the backpacker specials we have become used to!! I'm sorry Frankie but yes I am going to bring up food yet again!!! We were given an amazing leek and potato soup then a Roast Dinner (total luxury) and a choice of about 6 puddings!!!!! I'm sure I will find this all completely trivial when I have got home and got used to eating at home again but it seemed pretty special at the time!!!!! In the evening we were shown a slide show giving information on the local area including wildlife and we were shown a picture of a 'Portable Petrol Powered Possum Plucker'!! Despite being a protected species in Australia, they are considered pests over here and their numbers are huge, so there is a massive industry in the Possum Fur Trade. It's unbelievable. Apparently Sheep Farmers have these Possum plucking machines to subsidise their income!!!

The next morning we were treated to amazing weather which gave the most amazing views - really breathtaking (see pictures). We were asked to remain completely silent for 5 minutes while on board and they cut the engine of the boat so we could listen to the peace and quiet and the sound of waterfalls. It was amazing. Then we were taken back to Manapouri before going back to Queenstown via Te Anau. That afternoon Sam and Karl played another couple of rounds of Frisbee golf, whilst I wandered around the town and lake before heading back to the hostel. We went out for dinner and met Eliane in the New World Bar which serve some drinks in teapots!! I had to get one just for the novelty!!! (see pictures).