Kiateriteri - 22/01/2012

So we left Wellington at about 7.15am to catch the Ferry across to the south island for 7.45am. After putting our bags in and board the Ferry we were all a little hung-over from the night before so we all went and found the Cafeteria for some breakfast. That went down well, and then we found a nice comfy seat and had a kip for 2 hours while the Ferry got across. When it arrived we got our bags and waited for the Kiwi Experience bus to pick us all up. We then had a 2 hour trip down to Kiateriteri which was a little resort by the beach, very peaceful and the Hostel was nice as well. We all checked into the same room then planned to make din dins before going for a walk down to the beach. There was quite a few of us that went down there, there was us lot and some Welsh boys that we had met in the north island. After about half an hour it got chilly and we all come back and stayed in our rooms for the night as we was all exhausted. While we were chilling in the room I fell asleep and woke up again and asked the girls about the razors in there beds. They started laughing as I was half asleep and didn't know what the hell I was on about. But then again I didn't either. Then we had a bit of a lay in as we weren't getting picked up until 11.45am but we had to check out our room at 10am. So we went on the computers and sorted some stuff out that needed to be done, like booking our flights to Sydney from Brisbane, looking for jobs when we arrive back in Sydney and having a look at apartments. We then had a 4 hour bus ride to Westport.

Westport - 23/01/2012

We arrived in Westport at about 4pm and went down to the supermarket to get bangers and mash for dinner. When getting back we all got changed and hired a footy from the Hostel and took it for a kick about across the road to this little park. It was girls against the boys. The boys went over first then the girls came running over with black marks under there eyes like warriors. The girls got a little dirty giving us kicks and taking us down but they won in the end, obviously letting them. Then these 2 little kids came over and wanted to play so we let them, not knowing how annoying they were going to be. But after a while we said we were going so they left. We had a penalty shootout, came back, had a shower and the girls cooked us dinner. Then we was planning to go to the beach on the night time for a bonfire then we found out that the beach was like 5km walk so we left it. Watched a film called Hot Chick which was quite funny even though I fell asleep. The next morning we had to be up and out at 8.45am to catch the bus to

Lake Mahinapua - 24/01/2012

We rocked up in at Lake Mahinapua about 3pm and an old bloke who owned the place we were staying at came out and said a few words on where abouts things were in he's little campus. After we checked into our rooms we all went down to a little lake and had a kick about. After about an hour we all headed back to have a chill out before dinner at 6.30pm which was a steak, potatoes, bread, pasta and vegetables which the old bloke had provided for us all. We all tucked into that, by now we had met a few more people like these girls from Wales, 2 girls from Holland and a guy from Reading. That night all the boys had to dress up as girls and the girls had to dress up as boys. Our girls was in there element as we paired up, I was with Becky, Jo was with Chris and Matt was with Gemma. Becky and Gemma shaved mine and Matt's legs and our arm pits to make us more like women. Done our entire make up, fake eye lashes lovely dress each, necklaces etc. Chris had to go in a bikini which was hilarious as you can see from some of the pics. We had a few games of pool, had a dance before having a group picture with the whole bus and a Tequila shot. After a few hours we all headed back for some sleep after a really enjoyable girly night. The next morning the bus was leaving at 9am to head to Franz Josef...

Franz Josef - 25/01/2012

We turned up at Franz Josef about 1pm and went and paid for the Glacier (a massive ice valley which you could walk on) for the next day. We only booked half a day as we were told you only go a little bit higher up the Glacier if you do the full day and pay another $80. We then checked into a lovely little cabin which it was just us lot with our own bathroom/toilet. We chilled out for the rest of that day, had dinner and just watched a film before going to bed. We had a lay in the next morning as we were staying there for 2 nights and wasn't going on the Glacier until 12.30pm. We all got up at about 10.30am and chilled out for a bit before going to the kitchen for breakfast. Then we had to head to the shop around the corner to get all our clothes as it was going to be cold. We got handed to us rainproof coat, rainproof trouser, gloves, hats and thick socks. Got ready and had a 10 minute drive to the bottom of the Glacier. We then had a 2km walk to get to the actual bottom. Before going onto the ice we had to put on some crampons (spikes) on the bottom of our boots to stop us from falling over. He told us some different stories about different stuff that had happened in the last few weeks and it's amazing how much the ice changes over such a short period of time. They make different tracks every day otherwise it would be boring for the tour guides. After about 3 hours on the ice we headed back to get picked up by the bus that dropped us off. We got changed and I and Gem nicked a pair of socks each as they were so comfy and warm. We then had about 3 cups of hot chocolate each which they provided for us. The got come dinner in the supermarket for later. I went back and watched a film on the laptop while the others went to the hot pool as it was free with the tour. Later that night we all bumped into the other lot like Clare and the welsh lads as they were on the bus behind us. We were staying for 2 nights so we got to spend some time with the other bus and by now we knew quite a few of them on there so that was good. I and Chris had a bet with Jo and Gemma that we would beat them at pool but they wanted to make a forfeit for the loser so they did. Whoever lost had to wash each other in the bathroom (so if me and Chris lost, me and him would have to have a shower together and wash each other in front of them). Obviously me and Chris won but we were a little nervous incase we potted the black at any time by accident. Literally the whole bar was watching and knew what the bet was. Good night though and good to see everyone. Plus Matt lost to Gemma at pool and he's forfeit was to run from our cabin to the kitchen (about 50m's) naked so me and Chris just thought let's do it with him. Matt fell down the stairs and grazed he's bum while trying to run. Then the girls locked us out naked for about 10 minutes in the rain which they found hilarious, they started taking photo's. We wont see everyone again until Queenstown which is in 3 days time but we are there for 3 nights so we can have a good couple of nights out with everyone and plus do the bungy. We had to be up for about 6.30am the next morning as we had to get the bus for 7.15am. Next stop Wanaka...

Wanaka - 27/01/2012

Turned up at Wanaka in the afternoon but wasn't really a lot to do there so me and Chris went for a walk down to the beach and had a little chat about stuff. Got back and went down to the bar downstairs for dinner as they had offers on. Becky, Chris and Jo had a burger, Gem and Matt had fish and chips and I had my favourite Carbanara. We all had a beer and a nice meal. After that we all went back upstairs, had a shower and all sat down and watched a film. Everyone watched Limitless while I watched Transformers on our Laptop. Went to bed after that ready to catch our bus in the morning to Queenstown (party city)...

Queenstown - 28/01/2012

We arrived in Queenstown about 1pm as it was only just over an hours drive from Wanaka. We all got in the same room like usual, chucked our bags in and went on a browse around the town. It wasn't as big as we thought but had most things here that you needed. After a few hours Chris, Gem, Matt and Jo had to go for there Canyon Swing over the cliff which sounded good. I didn't want to as I had booked up the Nevis Bunjy which was similar. Everyone else booked the Nevis bunjy as well except Becky as she isn't really a thrill seeker. After Me and Becky had a look around we headed back to the Hostel and had some grub before having a shower and waiting for the others to return. They all got back, had showers and headed out for the night. Everyone on our bus was out as well in a place called ' The World Bar'. We had some 2 for 1 coupons in our book that we shared out with our group. When we got there it was a free beer each and 2 for 1 for an hour anyway so didn't really need to use them anyway. After a few hours everyone headed back but I stayed out with a few others that were on our bus.

The next morning we had the day to ourselves just to chill out until the evening when we would be going out again. Me, Chris, Jo and Becky went for a walk down to the harbour while Gem and Matt stayed in and watched films for the day. The harbour was really nice, weather was good so we sat on the grass for a few hours. Me and Chris fell asleep but was scarily woken up by the girls when they came back from the shop. After that we headed back for dinner which me and Matt had fish and chips while everyone else had a pizza each. After dinner we got ready and hit the town again for a heavy night of drinking.

The next day about 1pm it was time for our 134m Nevis Bunjy Jump. I was buzzing for it while everyone else seemed a little nervous. Matt wasn't too bad either. A few other girls that were on our bus came with us as well which were really nervous. When we arrived at the Nevis it did look high up from the rocks and river below. You get a little cart thing across to it. The Nevis is basically in the middle of 2 mountains held up by thick metal wire. It's a bit rocky when you get into the part where you jump from. Chris was first as it was all done in weight, he loved it. Matt was next but he was so in he's own world you couldn't even talk to him just before he jumped but he seemed to like it when he came back up. When they shouted my name to get all kitted up that when I started to feel little nervous, then they walk you to the edge before 3,2,1......JUMP! As I jumped one of the crew members shouted 'No' quickly after I jumped to say as I wasn't meant to jump. But it was a really good experience and fun day out. We got the DVD each and a free t-shirt to show that we done it. Later on that night as it was our last night we went to a place called Fergburger which is meant to serve the best burgers in NZ. Freshly cooked in front of you. We all had one each and they were amazing, proper settled our stomaches before our last night out with everyone. We had a good last night with everyone and a bit sad to say goodbye to a lot of the people that we had become really good mates with. We then had to be up about 6am the next morning for 8 hour journey to Christchurch...

Christchurch - 31/01/2012

We arrived in Christchurch at about 4pm and it was like ghost town. We all checked into our Hostel which Gemma had mucked up as she checked had pre-booked us in but for the night after, but was sorted out easily enough. After we settled into our room I went for a walk around the town to see if I could spot any nice restraunts for us to go to tonight as it was all of our last night together before us lot split up and go our separate ways which is sad. There was no where open at all, hardly saw anyone walking about. There was loads of building knockdown, closedown all to do with the giant earthquake they had a year ago. But we asked the receptionist at our Hostel if there were any restraunts that are still open and she sent us in the right direction. We found a little Thai restraunt which the girls wanted me and Matt to try as we they were getting us to try a load more different foods etc. Me and Matt had the same which was chicken in a nutty sauce which wasn't bad, still preferred some chicken nuggets or something. But it was good to try something new. After out last meal we all headed back and went a bed as we had to be up 2.30am for our shuttle bus to Christchurch airport at 3.20am. The lads were flying to Brisbane and the girls were flying to Sydney. Becky said her goodbyes to Chris as it was there last time seeing each other until they meet back in England. Me and Matt were flying to Sydney later that day. So New Zealand sure went quick for us all, but we definatly loved every minute. For me and Matt our travelling has come to an end until we go to East Asia later on in the year. It was now time to find work, a flat and to settle down in Sydney for a good few months...

This will probably be the last blog until our travels start in Thailand later on in the year....hope you have enjoyed reading