24th January 2011

Today we got up at 5am to catch the bus at 6am as we had to get down to the ferry port for those who wanted to see Stewart Island. I decided not to go to the Island as it was over $100 for the ferry and I think it's pretty much like the islands I live on and near already!

We got on the road, were going for a couple of hours and a few people were nodding off (myself included) when we heard a massive bang and the bus started shaking. Oscar pulled it over to the side of the road and we all got out to have a look as it sounded like a flat tyre. The tyres were fine but it looked like the rear axle/suspension had snapped. By this time we weren't close to anywhere and there was no mobile phone signal. Luckily, one guy had an Australian sim and it had signal so Oscar called the Stray office to explain and they told us to drive back to Te Anau. Sooooo, he tried again but it was making some horrible noises and scrapes so that idea was scrapped. We were left on the bus not knowing what was happening. What we did know was that no-one was going to be making it to Stewart Island, which upset some people.

A couple of people decided to hitch-hike to the ferry port and got picked up soon after but the rest of us were stranded with no idea what was going on. We played cards to wittle away the time and 3 HOURS LATER some mini-buses showed up to take us to Invercargill. By this time, a couple on the bus had discovered that one of their bags was missing which meant that someone must have taken it off the bus earlier. Nina also realised that she'd left her handbag on the broken bus and doesn't know if she'll get it back. What a morning!

We eventually got to Invercargill (which is a DIVE) and we tried to check into our hostel which took 45 minutes as the woman behind the counter was blind drunk! We eventually got our room keys and went to unpack. I got chatting with a girl called India and we went out to the shops as my phone charger broke and the battery had died :o( I bought a handbag, a charger and some hair curl stuff as I had managed to leave mine in Queenstown along with my comb :o(

This day has been a farce!

Hopefully this evening will be better as we are going to eat pizza and watch a film. We also don't have to be on the bus till 9.50am so we get a lie-in! YAY!

Love love love

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