My first stop on the South Island was Blenheim in the Marlborough Sounds, famous for its winerys. After arriving i hopped straight on my tour around 6 wineries, me being the only one on the trip!! It was really lovely,if a bit awkward. Visited Villa Maria and Cloudy Bay(who suplly Gordon Ramseys restaurants). Tried some beautiful wine, ended up buying a bottle from a winery that was purely family owned and run, saving it for my return home. I then went and checked into my hostel, well it was a dive! So dirty, full of men that work in the vineyards, smokey front room. I took a walk whilst considering my possibilities(it was the only one that had space). I didnt feel safe so i ended up doing a runner and checking into a private room somwhere for a price but sooo worth it! En suite, electric blanket, tv..i was in heaven :-)

Next morning i reluctantly left my palace and went South to Kaikoura, famed for its Whale Watching. I ended up staying here 3 nights and still didnt get to whale watch because it was too windy but it was a beautiful place. Surrounded my snow capped mountain right on the sea with farm land so close by. I ended up doing a 3hour walk around the peninsula spotting hundreds of NZ fur seals, but having to walk through a field full of scarey, starey cows! Such a lovely place, had the dorm to myself for 2 nights aswell!

I ventured down to Christchurch just for a night. Ended up getting no sleep due to an illegal snorer that wasnt even suppose to be in our all girl dorm!! Gave me a nosebleed!

Carried on South to Oamaru and stayed in a lovely little hostel with free internet! Ended up staying 2 nights instead of 1. I went to the blue penguin colony and sat there really quietly whilst all these tiny penguins came home for the night from their day at sea. A couple of guys in my hostel were going to be in Dunedin at the rugby so had a couple of drinks with them. Nice to have some company.

Dunedin was my next port of call for the game, also home to Cadbury World and the Steepest street in the world!! It is VERY steep! Arrived a day early and booked into Hogwartz, a very cool hostel. Used to be the Bishops residence and there is a flash bathroom in a hallway! Alas it was up a reeeally steep hill so arrived there very sweaty and red with all my bags, very embarassing. Also due to the game i could only stay there one night as they were booked up so next morning lugged all my stuff to a plush hotel(only place with room)! Again i was in heaven. Saturday was match day and seeing the All blacks play(and lose) at Carisbrook was amazing! There was a great atmosphere even though they lost, also my first rugby game on my own. Met some people on the walk home and went and partied with them. Day after saw some sights incl. St Clair beach, the uni (oldest in country). I also visited the Otago peninsula on a tour and saw rare yellow eyed penguin, royal albatross(huuge wingspan) and a great big sea lion that chased us. He just wanted to play and the guide stood in the way of us and him but was a bit scarey considering he was 250kg!!! A great trip. My bus was delayed to Queenstown the next day due to snow blizzards. Even though the mountains all around you are covered in snow, it was the first time i actually saw any fall. Dunedin was great and was known as "Edinburough of the South", apparently having all the same street names. Definately one of my favourite places despite all the steep hills to get anywhere!