Dear All,

Liz here as poor old Phil has just written a long blog, only to lose it all so he is currently pacing the internet cafe whilst i pick up the reigns to quickly 'phil' you in :)

Apologies in advance for a concise update! Also, just discovered we cannot upload photos here so these will have to follow in a few days, luck is not on our side today!

Weds 25th Feb - Queenstown to Wanaka via Arrowtown

We were sad to leave Queenstown after 2 great days there, but pushed on to Wanaka via Arrowtown, a beautiful picturesque little Gold town which had all the elements of a perfect postcard. I thought I may just cry if we found it also had a meandering river... it did. Moving on from Arrowtown we took the scenic route over the Crown (mountain) Range and took in some amazing panoramas. Reaching Wanaka we found it to be yet another gorgeous town nestled on a beautiful lake (how boring - haha) which we spent a few hours exploring. In the evening we were treated to yet another scenery of the Lord of the Rings / aka the promotional video for new zealand. Great set, rubbish film :)

Thursday 26th Feb - Wanaka to Franz Josef via 12,000 ft

Thursday started with an unnaturally early start and equally unnatural activity - Phil parachuting to earth at an alarming speed at 9am. Luckily it was a beauitful clear day, making for a smooth drop (?) and clear view of the surrounding mountains and Lakes. Phil has the video and pics to prove it should you wish to see his little g-force-afflicted face beaming all the way down. Afterwards we took a very long (and now wet) east along the coast to Franz Josef, glacier country!

Friday 27th Feb - Franz Josef, via a huge melting ice cube

Another early start to take our guided tour of the glacier, one of only three glaciers surrounded by mountains in the world, fact! We donned our crampons (ice walking spikes which look like old metal roller skates) and climbed the glacier for a couple of hours; marvelling at the sheer scale of it, the giant crevices, shapes and drops. Its a strange experience to be surrounded and dwarfed by ice, whilst viewing the surrounding green mountains and feeling the heat of the sun above... In the afternoon we took a well earned break to change out of our cold weather gear back to flipflops and shorts and enjoy a cold drink at the local pub on dry land.

Saturday 28th Feb - Franz Josef to Arthurs Pass

Arthurs pass is a tiny, remote village (50 inhabitants) on top of a mountain and half way between Franz Josef and where we needed to be the next day. We were hoping to walk in the famous walking area but the weather deemed it a 'lets just sit in front of the real fire, eat and chill out day', with the rain pouring down all day, night and still going strong the next morning... Pretty cool place to be stranded though.

Sunday 1st March - Arthurs Pass to Hanmer Springs

Escaping from the rain cloud firmly stuck over Arthurs Pass we continued along the incredibly scenic Arthurs Pass toward the quaint village of Hanmer Springs where a double room / haven and hot pools awaited. So we spent the evening relaxing in hot pools averaging 35 degrees, watching the most amazing fire-red sunset and even taking time out from relaxing to race each other down the waterslides (yes Mel, it turns out that despite being resolute that we would not pay the extra $6 for the waterslides each, we are just 'big kids like Mike' - re your email recommending this). Phil even ventured into the suplhur/smells-like-rotten-eggs pools, before we headed to the cosy slate-fronted pub for a quick drink afterwards.

Monday 2nd March - Hanmer Springs to Kaikoura

Returning to the (now east) coast we spent the day/night in Kaikoura, enjoying a long walk along the coastline hills (rolling green, reminded us of the south downs), seal spotting in the sunny weather.

Tuesday 3rd March - Kaikoura to Nelson

Nelson, described as just a big town on the north coast of the south island proved a pleasant surprise and we enjoyed our afternoon exploring the town, walking along the riverside, checking out the gorgeous nz houses and possibly also a few shops...

Wednesday 4th March - Nelson to Golden Bay via Abel Tasman national park

A great, very memorable day spent in the Abel Tasman park, only accessible by sea taxi (speed boat) which drops you off at a bay and picks you up later at another so you can walk along the coastal walk. The weather was beautiful, making for calm blue sea and stunning golden beaches. We walked from Tonga bay to Torrent Bay (approx 4 hours), stopping for numerous wow/photo moments as we 'discovered' each beautiful, deserted bay round every corner and lunch halfway along on Bark Bay. I am not sure our words or photos will really do justice to this area, just think 'deserted paradise'... In the evening we braved the winding road 791m metres up and down over Takaka Hill (call that a hill?) to reach Golden Bay, a vast expanse of golden beach stretching out to the west.

Thursday 5th March - Golden Bay west to Farewell spit then back east to Anakiwa

In the morning we continued west to visit the remote, sand dunes of the tip of the north-west end of the south island, Farewell Spit, before heading back east to Anakiwa which proved an absolute find. We spent the night in a beautiful big home/lodge conversion, two of only 3 people staying - meaning we virtually had the run of the place. We completed a short (1 hour) walk along the famous Queen Charlotte walk from Anakiwa to Davies Bay before getting down the serious fun of the free jacuzzi bath, movie room and free internet. Oh and another double room - a welcome relief from the snoring epidemic which seems to be sweeping dorms in the south island this week...

Today we are in the seaside town of Picton ready for our ferry across the Cook Straight to Wellington tomorrow, for two weeks in the north island. Its gonna have to be good to beat the South island.

Will post pics in the next few days, you've got to see them...

Love Liz and a slightly calmer now Phil xxx