Hey, absolutely loving New Zealand!! Had a bit of an episode trying to get here as we had to wait for a new plane to come from Sydney and pick us up after a bird flew into the engine of our original plane! We eventually made it to our hostel in Christchurch at 3 on Sat morning. We only really had one day in Christchurch, most of which was spent looking for a place to buy cheap thermals and fleeces! Seems like a nice city but our bus trip takes us through there again so we should get a better look next time. Our time here has been pretty hectic as we only have 3 weeks to get round both islands, we have a hop-on hop-off bus pass and so far we have travelled for at least part of each day we have been to: Christchurch, Kaikoura (beautiful views and a seal colony), Nelson (fastest growing city but not much time to look around) and Greymouth, (stayed in the hostel - it was bucketing down)! We are now in Franz Josef and have done our first real activity - we hiked up the Glacier here. It was absolutely amazing - fantastic views, and so bizarre to walk through a rainforest to get to a glacier! Tomorrow we leave for Queenstown which is the extreme sports centre for the country - the world's first commercial bungy site is there (not that me or Kath will be trying it)! We're hoping to go white water rafting there and also take a day trip out to Milford Sound, which is apparently not to be missed! Hoping for a relaxing day to chill out and do nothing pretty soon but it looks unlikely! Our hostel here has a sauna though which was much appreciated after today's hike! Take care everyone, lots of love (see you in a few weeks)! Helen and Kath xxx