I'm here in Queenstown with my parents, they flew all the way from England to see me...and only after 5 months of me being away haha! We've done a lot in Queenstown but I couldn't have them leave New Zealand without seeing Milford Sound...

We booked the Juicy bus and set off from the hotel. It takes about 4-5 hours to get there so it was an early rise to be picked up; difficult when your bed is so comfy haha! The journey down was along the same route as the Milford Explorer so I knew what to expect but it was nice to see my parents reactions as we drove through mountains and the rainforest. We did exactly the same as my first trip; stopping at the halfway town and those awesome pies...Dad bought 2 haha! The waterfall only this time we were allowed to have a little walk around, the mirror lakes beautiful and quiet with no ducks to ruin the sight, the glacial river to fill up our water bottles...Dad didn't throw his away he drank it all so it wasn't wasted "water's expensive!" haha! And then through the tunnel to the entrance of Milford Sound. The valley was as spectacular as ever with the high mountains all around you and the long twisting road leading to the bottom. My parents both thought it was beautiful. I got them both to stand on top of a pillar so I could get them right in the middle of the landscape taking a really cool picture of them before the mountains. I jumped up all too quickly and confidently and fell straight back down landing on my back...I stood up as fast as I could pretending no-one saw me haha..Smooth!

We got to the bottom of the valley and boarded the Juicy boat, a small "chugga" boat. We went straight to the front, the best place to see everything around us. I had the perfect spot, a platform which gave me a 360 view with my parents at either side of me. It was funny because people kept on trying to steal my spot- Even my Dad haha! I was rooted to my platform and loved the wind on my face able to see the waterfalls and the impressive mountains. Mum and Dad loved it! One of the best sights we have seen and sharing it with my parents made it that bit more special. We were even lucky enough to see Dolphins in the water swimming with the ship, so awesome to see that in Milford! The boat got close to loads of different waterfalls, Dad was prepared and brought macs to protect us from the rain, we put them on as we approached the mist created from the water falling from high above. Mum and me trying to control the plastic sheets was hilarious..I'm laughing to myself thinking about it. The sheet whipping my face in the wind and spray, my Mum laughing trying to stop it..Dad thought he was clever in bringing them but they didn't even work. I was still soaking wet from the water..might as well have jumped in haha!

Another wonderful day with my family.

The day after Milford was our last full day in Queenstown. I took them to the park to play frisbee golf! A great game to play whoever you are. You start at the tee and then throw your frisbee as far as you can aiming for metal baskets at the end of that hole. It was 18 holes of fun and laughter. It seemed that I had the best frisbee but it didn't matter because the distance my Dads rolled when it hit the ground was rediculous! We definitely should have played from where it first hit the ground..Even so I still beat him haha! It was really great fun made even better with dinner at Ferg Burger..the biggest burgers we have ever eaten! I went for the "BIG AL"- double everything, ambitious but I just about managed it!

It was a great end to an incredible time in Queenstown, so much fun and so many memories I would come back any day! You can't not love this country.

We checked out of our rooms and headed for Christchurch, I was going to see my sister! We dropped off our bags when we arrived (really long journey..I read most of the time!) and then drove to the airport. Mum and me stood back from the gate but my Dad was well amoungst it trying to get the first hello...He completely missed her haha, are you sure you got your eyes lasered Dad?! She walked out of arrivals and gave us all a hug, she forgot her Aussie passport though so did seem alittle stressed...

We got in the car and had a nice catch up and another big hug- she's been working so hard back in London and I'm out here just loving life spending way too much money haha! Doesn't seem fair does it?...my time will come :(

Back at the hotel we unpacked our stuff, it was a great place all new appartments right on a golf course. The South African Stormers team were even staying here; no doubt my Dad will want to get their autographs! In Christchurch though the city centre had been closed off due to a horrendous earthquake that caused the whole area to be unstable, such a shame because I bet in its former glory it was one of the better cities in New Zealand, busy and popular...in its current state though it was a bit of a ghost town with the shops made out of shipping containers instead of buildings, quite a good idea I thought! As a result of the earthquake there wasn't a great deal to do, we walked around where we could but it wasn't much to shout about. In the afternoon then we headed back to the hotel for a BBQ. Nice and chilled.

The following day we found a vineyard for wine tasting. I'm not much of a wine fan but I gave it a go anyway. They told us to sort of gargle it and inhale the fumes to taste the fragrance, I just drank it haha! It went straight to my head and after a few glasses I felt dizzy...such a lightweight but to my defence I hadn't eaten anything all day!

That evening the Crusaders were playing, a super 15 Rugby union team right here in Christchurch. They were playing the Stormers from our hotel. I got everyone a ticket to watch but origionally I planned to meet up with friends from Queenstown so after fish and chips on the way to the game I left them to find my seat. It was great to see everybody again in the lively buzzing atmosphere of the stadium. The game kicked off and the crowd went nuts. I still don't really understand Union rules but it was a good game to watch, Stormers lost, who I wanted to win..I bet they weren't in the best mood to sign autographs...Sorry Dad!

It was the last morning in New Zealand for my family, they are off for some sun, sea and sand in Thailand. I managed to find a place to stay near the city centre called Jailhouse Hostel..a converted prison! Cool especially as the rooms were still like cells haha.! Then we went to a coffee shop to have a last breakfast together. Saying goodbye agian was difficult, my Mum was getting upset and I wasn't really 100% sure of my next step..work in Queenstown or move on the Australia? In the end I did finally decide that Australia would be better for work but I still had over a week to wait until my flight. Anyway with goodbyes and hugs all round they left for the airport. I just sat outside in the sun reading my kindle (early birthday present haha). That should keep me occupied for atleast a few days, especially as I have all the Hunger Games to get through

So I'm in Christchurch for a final 10 days before my flight to Melbourne. Hmm I might catch a bus to Kaikoura to swim with dolphins...not done that yet haha!

Until then guys,

Nathan