Finally made it to the top of the South island, Nelson, it was a long drive from the glaciers and rooms were hard to come by. We're stopping at the YHA (youth hostaling asc), it's like a backpackers, same facilities and cost but just a different profile (or so it seems). The dorm's a bit, how shall i say, quite and considerate, not too much interaction and certainly no late night drinking madness, erm, well i soon livened the place up - not sure how much appreciated but hey i'm on me holingdays.

So, what's been happening the last few days. Well we left Queenstown with Mac in tow (why i ask), he's a nice guy, pretty harmless but for some reason just does everyone's head in (believe me everyone he comes into contact with says the same). I give you an example, we pick him up from his hostel and it takes him an hour to get his arse into gear. He has a raging hangover, partly due to him bumping into Martin at 03.00, bad move. To cut a long story short we call in at the puzzleworld in Wanaka, his head gets mashed in the angled room and then gets lost in the maze and he's in pieces (funny in a way). He then realises that he has left some stuff at the hostel, so in the interest of mine and Martins sanity we decide to dump him at Wanaka (after a session of beer tasting - well recommended by the way!). Don't want to bore you with the scenery again, it's getting a bit repetitive. One view that did amaze me though was a view over the ocean from about 500 metres. You could see a full 180 degrees, for as far as the eye could see and there was not one single thing in the ocean - how often do you get that view - next piece of land SW - the antartic - WOW.

It's about 5 hours up to the Fox glaciers, we pick the Ivory tower backpackers, it's a bit quirky, no keys but theres a good kitchen and showers, we cook an Indian washed down with a 6 pack of gold beer. There's a funky little room which doubles as a cinema (complete with chairs?) and we watch a Kiwi film with Antony Hopkins. Its a great film, can't rememeber the name but its about a Kiwi and an Indian motorbike - trust me watch it. The next day we head for the glacier, we walk to the foot and stay behind the barriers (2 days previous two people were killed as they thought it was a good idea to get a closer look - don't f-ck with nature, the power is immense). One body has been recovered, the next could pop out tomorrow or refridgerated in 50 years time!. We spend half a day driving to view points (coupled with a few good walks) to get some spectacular photos. It's a bit surreal really, it's 27 degrees, the beach is 15 minutes away, yet you have this huge glacier and snow just above it, plus lovely lush mountains?.

In the afternoon we drive to Franz Joseph, it's only around 25Km, we book into the glowworm hostal, again well recommended, the rooms seem to be better quality in the West, they cost about $26 (just over 10 Euro). As we have some free time we get some beer and jump in the hottub (oh it's a hard life). As that hits the spot (and it's so hot in there), we look for a pub to see whats happening. I think there's only one pub in the village (blue ice), anyway we have a couple of pints and the owner gives us a free shot which is apparently a legend on the west coast - it doesn't need a name - it's called the RED PEARL. I'll warn you in advance, it has chilli powder, absinthe and some hot stuff that has a warning on the label, the rest is well - a legend. It brings tears to both our eyes, and leaves us rigid for 10 minutes - but we like it and head back 3 hours later with half the hostal. To cut a long story short, late night, lots of beer and lots of sore a-se in the morning. In fact i nearly cancel the trip cause it hurts so much - serious - try it and let me know!

The trip, we book a half day glacier walk with Franz Josef glacier walks (it must have took them all of 3 seconds to come up with the name). Seriously though they are a great outfit, you get all the gear - boots, crampons etc, the guides are excellent and the tour well worth it. The ice is blue in places and steep, it moves at a pretty impressive rate too and changes daily, a fab trip and excellent value at $97.

After a chilly morning we have a piping hot bowl of soup and head for Nelson, its close on 500Km and takes us just over 6 hours. There's hardly anything along the drive, in terms of life not scenery. We do pass through a few towns but there very sleepy. We got to one town at 6 and both petrol stations and all the shops were closed, there was only the local pub open at it looked like a throw back from the 50's, weird place where i expect your girlfriend is also your cousin (if you know what i mean?!).

And so here was are, at the youth hostal, just chilling out for the afternoon, i've just spent an hour in the hammock reading my book after a bit of sushi for lunch. This morning we took a short 15 minute drive to an attraction called the 'Skywire' which is the largest foxwire in the world. It was pretty neat, it's a cage that hangs 150 metres above the forest and hurtles down the cable at 100Kms an hour (backforwards and forwards).

Well that's it folks, tomorrow's an early start, we are heading to the Able Tasman national park for two days. We're taking a water taxi to the far North and kayaking down to anchorage for a night on a boat, then a few hours tramp back to the car.

The next blog will be from Wellington, North island, i'll let you know how it went

Be good and bye for now.