It was with regret that I checked out of the hotel 2 and a half hours before the required time as I could have savoured the warmth it provided for aslong as possible. I watched the movie 'Signs' last night for what is maybe the 4th time, for me it gets better everytime but when Im ready to expand into film reviews I will. I caught the Milford Sound shuttle at 7.45am and my gang for the day included a fat kiwi driver called Merv, an elderly Australian couple and a German girl who wasn't charming, unlike the one I met on a previous bus in what seems like oh so long ago. The ride to the boat was about 2 hours long and we stopped off many times along the way to take photos of what seemed to be one snow capped mountain after another but fear not, the elderly Aussies loved it and so did the German. We did bump into a rather interesting little bird, it was the worlds only Alpine Parrot, its called a Kea. It was a timid little thing and took food out of fat Merv's hand. The bird is meant to be as intelligent as a caseroom2 processor, oh well maybe im underselling it there, an actual monkey is what Merv said. Whilst on the boat the Australian couple immediately endeared themselves to me by offering me some shortbread to dip into my tea. I did muse as to whether they had read the 'how to entice Chris Green manual' and then just as my attention was beginning to wander with this thought they offered me another biscuit, at which point I was assured that they had infact read the manual. So yeah, the Milford Sound was a scenic wonder and wotnot and im glad I found the time to do it. After a tearful goodbye to my companions for the day I set off on the road back to Queenstown. I want to quickly congratulate my Ipod for shuffling me a superb selection of songs for the trip back, it really was a top job. Ive only been away for a day but ive missed the place and was overjoyed when I got back. Im staying at a different hostel this time and it appears they are charging me the single rate for a double room. This is awesome and I really would have sounded more grateful on the phone if id realised. The only drawback is that I believe Nicola and her boyfriend stayed in this hostel when they were here and its very small so I could easily be in the same room. This makes things slightly ickey but luckily there is a single bed in the room as well ontop of the double bed so I will sleep in that. Sweet Dreams.