Was on a pretty good bus on the way to Dunedin, met up with some folk i'd been on the bus with a while ago! Slept for the first part of the journey, then we put on some xmas tunes and chatted and then slept for the last part of the journey. Was in Dunedin by 12.30 which was good going. Staying in the Central Backpackers which is nice. Again it has a more homely feel to it which i like and there is a wee cat running around the place. Just chilled out for a few hou...

Left Franz Josef for Queenstown. Didnt really stop off much as it was a pretty long day driving. Didnt even sleep much cause i was sitting chatting with James. Stopped off a Wanaka which was another nice wee lakeside town. Arrived in Queenstown at about 5pm so didnt really have time to do anything. Ended up sitting in that night and played drinking games with the folk in my room.

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...