So, from Franz Josef the bus took us to Lake Wanaka, a huge glacial lake with a small town, and we stayed in a hotel for a change, although still in four person dorms. After a short walki around town, a few of us decided it would be a good idea to jump in the lake! The water was perfectly clear and looked so inviting and so we each took a running jump off a small pier. That soon woke us up as the water was freezing. Lovely to swim in though being so clean and fresh. When I was swimming back to the pier however, a woman kindly pointed out that there was a huge black eel swimming right past my leg. I removed myself from the water soon after! In the evening I went to a wonderfully informal local cinema with Emily, Rhiannon and Kate from my bus to see a brilliant little film called Once. In the cinema you sit on sofas and armchairs and there was even half a taxi to sit in. They also have an interval during which you can order dinner. I had a venison, sweet potato and rosemary pizza which I sat and ate during the second half of the film.

Next morning, boarded the bus to go to Puzzleworld, which is full of rooms with various optical tricks, including a forced perception room where people really appear to grow and shrink as they walk from one side to the other! A good laugh. Then the bus took us on to Queenstown, stopping off on the way for a couple of people to do the Kawarau bridge bungy jump, the first commercial bungy location. Queenstown is a stunning place, my favourite so far. It is a relatively small town surrounded by beautiful mountains which almost look like they are painted on. The first and probably the most essential stop in Queenstown is Fergburger. They serve oddly named burgers as big as your head, packed with interesting fillings and they only close for 3 hours a day between 5am and 8am. Most people staying in Queenstown seem to eat at least one of these a day, working their way down the list of flavours. I started with a half pounder called Mr Big Stuff! The evening was then spent hitting the bars.

Next day, Vikki and Tom from the bus and myself went to the shotover canyon to do a canyon swing and Sarah came to watch. This is similar to a bungy jump with a 60m freefall but you then swing out into the canyon instead of bouncing up. They really try to scare you before you do it with little comments here and there. I was up first and jumped off backwards, as in the picture on this blog. Far from being scared I wanted it to be more extreme and was too relaxed so I did another one head first. Much better, My last little bit of adrenalin in New Zealand! I had to resist the temptation after that to try the 134m Nevis bungy jump, the second highest in the world but I will no doubt return another time for that. As she had come to cheer us on with the canyon, me and Tom went to watch Sarah do the Ledge bungy, which overlooks Queenstown so we also took the opportunity to soak up the views from the top and take some nice photos.

The rest of my time in Queenstown was spent relaxing in brilliant company and I was so sad when everyone left one day before me and it felt strange not having them around. After that I took the final leg of the Kiwi bus to Christchurch, where we were advised by the driver to get out as soon as possible. I found this a little harsh as it looked quite nice but I had to catch a flight first thing the next morning back to Auckland for my flight to Sydney so New Zealand was basically over for me from Queenstown, although it is a stunning place of which I have so many amazing memories and it simply left me wanting more.

I ended up staying for about 14 hours in the international terminal of Auckland airport as my flight was to early in the morning to warrant spending the money on transport to and from the centre and accomodation. Still, I eventually arrived in Sydney at around 7:30 am, where I am now. I spent my first night in a hostel in Kings Cross which is not the nicest area in my opinion but was cheap. The room had no windows and I did see a cockroach, luxury! Still it turned out that Emily and Rhiannon were also in Sydney so I met up with them in the evening to go to the Sydney aquarium where I really enjoyed the shark enclosure and the huge barrier reef section. I moved to the same hostel as them by central station the next day which was much nicer and I've been staying there since. So far I have been to see the opera house and harbour bridge (known here as the coathanger)and been to the Powerhouse museum which has various exhibits exploring Australian art, history and technology. Also visited Bondi beach for Emily's birthday. Then after her and Rhiannon left on the Oz experience bus I tried out a different hostel but while I was sitting in the park with my bags waiting for check in time, one man walked past and mistook me for a homeless person and offered me money (which I declinded)! Found this hilarious and he was so embarrased as he realised his mistake as soon as he looked properly. I should point out my hygene levels have not fallen that dramatically and I am keeping up with the laundry! May need to change my look a bit though! Anyway, Vikki and Emma from the Kiwi bus also arrived yesterday and we visited the botanical gardens, making the most of the beautiful weather they had brought with them as it had been raining every day before that. Finally that brings me to today, which I have spent with Judi and Warren Martin who have just moved back to Sydney from Welwyn Garden City. They have taken me on a ferry from Circular Quay to Manly where we had fish and chips on the beach. We then went on a short walk along North head before heading to Koala Park, where I was able to stroke koalas, a wombat and some kangaroos and tomorrow we are off to see the Blue mountains, which will be beautiful if the weather holds.