We spent a bit longer in Cairns than we had planned on. To make a very long story short, I came down with a really bad ear infection from our PADI course and eventually was advised not to fly on the day we were supposed to leave. The following day I was cleared, and off we went to try and make our way to Christchurch. Getting there was a very long, hectic, and more difficult than it should be ordeal. To add to this in the meantime Del was coming down with his own ear infection after diving the great barrier reef from Cairns and I was getting one in the opposite ear as well. The main positive in all this was that I picked the right hostel, it was walking distance to the hospital and reciprocal healthcare was a blessing. But not to worry, after plenty of drugs we are now on the mend and in New Zealand.

Landing in Christchurch at midnight was COLD, we could see our breath. We didn't do much while there as we were both busy getting better, but we are back there next week. We left Christchurch on the east coast to go to Greymouth on the west via the Transalpine train. It travels through the mountains and offered some great views. It was a beautiful train ride and we had a very clear day for it.

After Greymouth we went to Franz Josef. Home of the Franz Josef glacier. We joined a walking tour that takes you up and onto the glacier by the guides cutting steps and paths in the ice. We walked through massive ice walls and were treated to some spectacular views across the valley.

From there we travelled to Queenstown. For some reason we expected it to be bigger, but it has got a bit of a Whistler feel to it. It's a very pretty setting next to a lake and surrounded by some of the mountains filmed in Lord of the Rings. Yesterday we made the long day trip to Milford Sound. We thought we had picked a bad day as the morning was overcast and cold (13C, brrr) but when we got there it was perfect. It was clear, sunny and calm. Our ferry took us through the fiord past massive waterfalls, huge mountains jetting straight up, dolphins and seals. It takes some time to get there but really worth it, plus with my internet research skills before we left I was able to find a brilliant deal. Today we enjoyed a beautiful sunny and hot day in Queenstown. We took the gondola up the main mountain and enjoyed a small hike through the forest plus a luge ride. Not on ice but on sleds with wheels down a concrete track.

We are really feeling the temperature change here on the South Island and are a bit worried about our return to Canada next month. Although the South Island is beautiful despite the chill...