Another LONG day of travelling today - left Franz Josef at 7.30am to arrive in Wanaka at 3.30pm. We had quite a few stops though so it didn't feel like we were on the bus for too long at a time. First stop was at Lake Matheson which was in front of Mt. Cook and M.Tasman and was pretty reflective causing ome pretty stunning views. It was a nice crisp morning and to walk around the lake took about an hour, all the way round there were lots of look out points with b...

At 9am this morning it was time for me to check in for a full day glacier hike up the Franz Josef Glacier - most of the Kiwi Bus was on the hike we all signed in and collected attractive outfit number 4! Over trousers, a rain coat, walking boots with a sheepskin lining, itchy walking socks, a very attractive blue beany hat which "unfortuately" I didn't need to wear because I had my own awesome "snowday" hat!!!! and thick, un streatch woolie mi...

Yesterday we were staying at a "Kiwi Experience Unique Stop" called the Pu Pub at Lake Manihapua and it is tradition at this stop for the whole bus to attend the fancy dress Pu Party! Our theme for the evening was "Tarzan and Jane with Bin Liners" On the way to Manihapua we went on three short walks one along a coast path with beautiful views, one down a track where there was a kiwi family who obviously weren't impressed that they had a whole ...

The bus I am on is full of NICE people and I am super super happy and excited for the next 6 days! After driving for a bit this morning we stopped in another national park for a short wander around the forest, we then had "picnic lunch" by a glacier lake a couple of CRAZY nutters jumped in - just for a laugh! Morrie - bus driver - is a well of information about trees and mountains and all things nature in N.Z. he didn't actually stop talking for the who...

The weather - despite the forecast of rain - was beautiful today. I set off for the Abel Tasman National park at 7.30 am on a bus which took detours via, the bus station for the driver to catch up on the mornings gossip, the local bakery to pick up a delivery for a cruise boat and a school in the middle of nowhere to drop off 3 kids - a multi talented bus eh! Finally arrived at Kaitukituki and caught a watertaxi. Onto the boat where there has been another interes...