In Christchurch, after spending a few days in Kaikoura and Lake Tekapo. Lake Tekapo first, apparently its a beautiful lake but it was snowing so much whilst we were there you could barely see out of the window! Then went to Kaikoura, a beautiful seaside town. Saw lots of seals lazing about and met some cool people at the hostel too. Back in Christchurch now. Went on a pub crawl Friday night... messy! Good fun though and met some nice people in the hostel ag...

Skiied both the ski areas in Queenstown in the end, and as a Kiwi said to me "compared to the 3 valleys its like playing mini golf", and that was exactly it! Still managed two good days though, just not the kind of place you could spend a week at. Start of the winter festival was good, cold but good. Saw some Fireworks and that! Moved on to Dunedin, where I hired a car for 3 days and went down the Catlins coast to Invercargill. Not a hell of alot t...

Since Nelson I've travelled a long way and done alot, again! First stop was Greymouth for one night, went and sampled some local ale at a Brewery tour! It was nice! then onto Franz Josef glacier. Alot of people went hiking on it, but i wanted to save the cash for Queenstown. It was pretty though and we went and watched the Rugby at a local bar and danced to a local band. Then onto Queenstown! We have stopped at some amazing places enroute though and the sc...

Another busy few days... infact I'm going a bit fast so chilling in Nelson for a few days to slow down! The only problem being is bloody freezing!! So, had fun in Rotoura, swam in geothermal hot spas, and went to a cultural Malori show. Next day when and saw the lady knox geyzer expolde which was pretty impressive and to the wai-o-tapu park, which was full of mini volcanoes. There was a lake that was bright yellow from all the sulphur. Some good photos from that...

Made it to New Zealand! The flight wasn't as hideous as expected, I was sooooo tired managed to sleep for most of the 12 hours! As the plane landed I was a little upset to fly into all the rain and gloom after the amazing California weather, but onwards and upwards!! Spent all of a day in Auckland- not very interesting at all. Another backpacker has since told me its known as "the city with no soul" so pleased to be out of there! Yesterday joined t...