Got up early for my days hiking up the Franz Josef glacier. Had to get totally kitted out in hiking gear which was pretty funny. Had waterproof over trousers, a rain jacket, mittens, wooly hat, massive and heavy walking boots and crampons. WIth it all on we looked pretty silly. Murray, Liza and James were also doing it. We got the bus to the glacier and walked through some rainforest to get to the valley floor. When we came out of the forest we still had to walk ...

Left Greymouth for Franz Josef. Stopped off at Hokitika and bought a Pounamu or Greenstone/Jade Hei Tiki necklace. It represents ancestors and its spirital value increases with successive ownership. Figured it was a very New Zealandish thign to buy! Also did some gold panning in Ross. I managed to get some gold flakes and 2 pieces of Pounamu. The woman told us about this couple who spent 2 weeks panning for gold in the river and managed to get enough for 2 weddin...

Another early morning, every time i wake up i just want to cry!! I am not built to get up at 7am every day, it makes me sad :( Know wot else makes me sad, I cant buy cheese and i really want some!!! And its only cause i keep moving so much i cant take it with me and would hav to eat a whole block of cheese which to be honest i would quite like to do but i can imaine its not very good for u! Fingers crossed Sarah might hav some in her house when i get back to Chri...

Yet another early start!! Did a cruise and walk throught the Able Tasman National Park. Must admit i expected it to be totally amazing due to the way they go on about it, so i was a tad disappointed in it splendour!! Anyway we took a cruise to Anchorage Bay from where we walked back to Marahau. The first part of the walk was pretty hard going as it was all up and it was pretty steep! However it did level out after while and was a really nice walk. I even managed...

Had a very early start after some nice long lies and i really didnt like it!! I am just not made for early mornings! Had the room completely to myself last nite which was a real treat, no1 coming in or getting up early waking me up! Was pretty scared about getting the ferry across the Cook Strait and through the Marlborough Sounds to the south island as the wind had been so strong! However when i woke up the wind had mysteriously died and i had a very smooth cros...