Got the boat across the cook strait and through the scenic Marlborough Sounds, QueenCharlotteSound in particular taking us into Picton. On our first Kiwi bus with Smiley (famous for his appearance in a series of Colgate adverts) and met us with our new best mates for the next few weeks. Stopped off at the Pelorus Reserve for a wander round before making our way onto Nelson. Took a short tramp up a mountain passing the rugby pitch where the first game was played...

Took it easy on the road from Taranaki to Wellington making it just in time to see the local Welly Lions take on Canterbury, with 7 of the All Black in the starting line ups. Canterbury gave them a hiding with Carter taking most of the points and they walked away with Ranfurly Shield and top place in the league.Took a day relaxing in Wellington and chilling out in possibly the best hostel ever, more friendly and better equiped than any hotel.

We took a wander through New Plymouth and checked out Mike's Organic brewery in the morning, old Mike senior took care of us with plenty of anecdotes. After a scenic drive we called off at the Hockens farm to find Neil and Bryan building a few pens for the b****es with pups and dossed a few sheep. We helped out best we could then met Neils wife Katelyn and had a great feed in the Shepards cottage. Next day we helped out with the feeding out in the morning, with J...

In the cold mountains early in the morning we found the ski fields all closed so took a few hour tramp through the park to see silica falls, and by the time we got back the sun was spiltting the sky, but still no lifts could be opened so we headed on. After checking out the spiral railway we headed across 'the forgotten world highway' on the way to Taranaki. We seen alot more wild goats on this 4 hour, 150km, windy half sealed road we seen more goats than cars. T...

With no skydive the day before and the weather still overcast we gave the Hukka falls jet a go (which is much better than Shotover jet) before heading south toward Tongarario National Park. We headed for the Whakapapa (pronuounced, fack-a-pa-pa), but again was greet by bad news abot whether for the next day, making it unlikely we could try out the local snow activities. Our only option for the evening was in the local Tavern where Jo got the fire going, played a ...