Bula!! (Hello) from Fiji!

Just arrived. Its hot and humid (certainly compared to New Zealand), and its only late at night here. We were met at the airport by 4 guys singing and playing guitars Fijian-style (doesn't often happen at Heathrow!). Seems like a really friendly and relaxed country.

The south Island of New Zealand was an awesome place - we had a great time. The camper van was cool! didnt get any choice of design, but we were both really happy with what we got (it had love and peace on it in case it hasnt featured in any photos yet (we've been having a few probs uploading them, hence why only 5 the last time!). A right hippy wagon!

To sum up, we pretty much made it all the way round the south island, and into and over the Southern Alps (Mount Cook, the highest mountain in NZ was pretty impressive). We even got down to NZ's 3rd island, Stewart Island off the south coast, which was very unspolit. We also saw a forest parrot there pretty close up, but sadly not the world's 2nd biggest pigoen (which NZ is famous for having!).

THe 'Wild West Coast' was good. We saw plenty of seals off of Cape Foulwind, and even kayaked to within a few feet of the young seals on the Abel Tasman Park in the north-west, which was really cool.

Further down the west coast we made some knives for the day in Barrytown in a NZ couple's home. This was great, as we were able to meet and visit some 'real-live' Kiwis in their own home, and drink their mulled wine and moonshine (offwhich i had 2 small glasses, and was wrecked!). Later they invited us down the local pub, where a sheep they'd just killed was being roasted on the spit. It was gorgeous, and went to a good home!

Emili has been busy designing and making her own jade carving in Hokitika, and we've both been glacier-trekking on the Franz Josef glacier, which was incredible, and visiting the Milford Sound which ws also very good.

Another highlight has been the horse-riding we did in Glenorchy (an hours drive west of Queenstown on the lake). A brilliant day weather-wise enabled us to appreciate some views of the Remarkables mountains which were simply remarkable! THe horses were very well behaved, and we took them through rivers and cantered up hills etc. A great day. But just getting to Glenorchy was a bit of a drama - First we drove straight past a black cow (in the middle of the night trying to find a campsite - us not the cow!) just free walking down the other side of the road, which was a bit scary. And after we'd reported it at large at the local pub (us, not the cow again ;-)) we proceeded to get the van stuck in mud for the night, so we were stranded and forced to sleep on a slight slant! Luckily a local was able to tow us out with his 4x4 in the morning. but with all that excitement we didn't need bungy-jumping!

Speaking of excitement, we also (inadvertantly) got up close and personal to some massive sea-lions. After seeing some on a beach on the south coast (which was really impressive itself) we wandered back through the dunes to the car and damn near tripped over one in the grass!!

On our way back round up to Christchurch we stopped off at Dunedin, the very Scottish city, where we did a brewery tour of Speights - 'Pride of the South' where we could pull our own pints!! (Emili's highlight of the tour!. Mine was drinking the 'free' beer!), and walking up the Steepest Street in the World....Ever!

THe last couple of days we've spent with family of mine in Christchurch (a very English-type city) who have very kindly put us up and fed and watered us EXTREMELY WELL and taken us on guided tours as well!! THankyou Ali and Clive - its been much appreciated.

Oh, and we've also seen a real-live Kiwi (of the feathered variety) abliet in a wildlife enclosure.

Anyway must go, gotta be up very early tmrw to go to more sunny islands. Its a dirty job.....

Lots of Love

Tim n Em x