Ok so after leaving the beautiful Franz Joseph (again with another very early start) we made our way to Matheson lake aka mirror lake as its known for its mirror reflection of the scenery around it, we leave early to ensure the water hasn't been disturbed thus getting a good pic - was worth the early start as it we all got some good pics. After there we carried on with our journey towards Wanaka stopping at a few waterfalls along the way - we finally arrived at t...

We have now arrived in Fraz Joseph - even though its raining it's still beautiful here, we wanted to stay longer but because of the buses we couldn't so only have one free day which we are filling with our glacier hike - all really looking forward to that as we've had a bit of a quite week. You have to take your own lunch up the glacier (as there is no 711 at the top!) so we spent our first night getting ready - I got all Delia Smith and decided to do pasta but g...

Next day we made our way to Lake Mahinapua, mostly referred to as the 'Poo Pub'! For most of you that don't already know its a small, quite dirty little motel and pub ran by an 84 year old guy called Uncle Les, he's a bit of a Kiwi icon and his picture is up in all the books and posters in hostels all over the place. The bus takes you there for the sole purpose of the fancy dress party they arrange - of which they only tell you the theme on the day and every grou...

After an early start and a 3 hr ferry ride later (bizarre ferry as it had two cinemas on it? - I resisted the urge though) we arrived on the South island but it was still a bus journey to our next stop Nelson - we got to our accommodation for the next two nights but think we drew the short straw as we seemed to have the smallest room, no bother really as Rich is worse then anyone else we could get in the room as he farts all the time (i'm sure he wakes people up ...

Ok so River Valley - we was told it would be very remote, in the hills and there was nothing there apart from the lodge we was staying in. They were putting on a cheap dinner for us - a roast!!! Dave nearly wet himself but i'm not so keen and think roasts are never as good as home cooked ones by your Mum! Straight after dinner Rich and Dave went fishing in the lake just outside, well Rich went fishing and Dave watched - it was really beautiful and as remote as th...