Hey U!!!

I have finally found an internet cafe and got time to look at this website. For the past couple of days I have been travelling from Queenstown up to Nelsonm with short stops in different places.

Since Tuesday day time in Queenstown, I went to an Ice Bar (called Minus 5) in the evening. This was quite cool but alot smaller that I thought it was going to be. We were given a half an hour to have cocktails in a big chiller room.

On Wednesday, I spent the day in Queenstown. I went hang gliding in the morning, which was really cool. I was so nervous at first, but once I had run of the side of the mountain I was fine. It was so gentle to fly down and didnt really feel that I was in the air. The views were amazing to. The landing was really strange and I bruised my arm. The only problem with the landing was the fact that the field was used for sheep - so my face was rather near a lot of sheep poop.

For lunch a group of us had a fergburger, which are famous in Queenstown. They are huge and very yummy and was just what I needed after my fun filed morning. In afternoon I decided to walk up to the Gondola rather than take it to the top of the hill. The walk was lovely (through pine forests) and the views were amazing. However, I did decide that I would take the gondola back down with the others rather than walk back.

On Thursday we head to Fox Glacier which is on the west coast of the south island. The is one of the wettist parts of South Island, and on that day we experienced the ran. I was feeling a bit poorly so I decided to opt out of the glacier hike, but due to the bad rain this was called off anyway due to tumbling rocks. I went for my own walk in this area and found a really cool suspension bridge which takes you to a view point of the glacier. However due to the bad weather, the view was not that great. I was soaked through after this walk, but I managed to get a lift back with a hiking group company to where I was staying.

On Friday, we headed to christchurch again, but via Hokika (which is where a jade factory is) and a lovely coast line. We stop for lunch and we had fish n Chips by the beach (very british). We then headed to Arthur Pass, which was through New Zealand mountain rane, however due to poor weather the views were not so great. During the drive we passed a point where Lord of the Rings was filmed and Narnia (where alsan got killed). At Christchurch we all went out for a meal as some of the coach group was leaving us at this point. The food and drink was quite good value for money ($4 for a cocktail and $18 for main meal).

Yesterday (Saturday) we went to Kaikoura. This location main focus is marine life. I went on a whale watching cruise for 3 hours and saw 9 sperm whale. There were huge but only really saw them from a distance. I was hoping that I would also see some dolphins but no such luck (as there was another tour you could do for this). After whale watching we stopped at Ohau Point Seal Colony. There was lots of seal (which I love) so I was quite happy watching these.

We left Kaikoura then headed towards Nelson, which is about 3 hours drive. The scenery began to change once again as this area focus alot on vineyards and fruit growing. There is a national park in Nelson, which would have been lovley to go to but I am going to have a cheap day today.

I am currently looking round Nelson, and it ok, but not the prettiest town I have been to. I am going to walk to the geographic centre of New Zealand and try to find a Japanese garden that is in my guide book.

Tomorrow I am heading north and finally enter the North Island (wellington). So I am looking forward to the warmer weather. I am unsure If I can upload photos from this internet cafe, but I shall have a look.

Speak to you all soon

Helen