Friday 3 - The weather was better this morning, although quite windy, which meant that the Tongariro crossing was on. I was really gutted that I'd missed out on doing it again, and this time by only one day. I couldn't stay longer in Turangi because I'd booked up everything for the next week. So hung around the hostel and watched some rubbish NZ telly until my bus came to take me to Rotorua. Got to Rotorua about 3pm. I noticed the smell when I was still on th...

Wednesday 1 December - Left Wellington and went to Turangi. The bus ride was pretty uneventful except for the fact that the driver left two people behind when we stopped at Bulls, and he had to go back and get them. He was not happy, but I thought it was quite amusing. When we stopped for lunch at Flathills I ordered a cheese toastie and chips, but didn't get a chance to finish it as I was worried I might get left behind if I wasn't back on the bus in good time...

Left the south island and arrived in Wellington today. Caught the bus at 9am from Nelson to Picton, then the Interislander ferry at 1.30pm from Picton to Wellington. Watched the onboard film which was Bridgit Jones: The Edge of Reason. I hadn't seen it before, although I'd read the book (but couldn't remember much from it except that she ended up in a Thai prision). It was a really funny film, but also very cringeworthy. Was staying at the YHA in Wellington,...

Got up at 7am to do a walk in the Abel Tasman National Park. It was absolutely stunning - amazing scenery and brilliant weather. The trip was a coach-cruise-walk combo. I got the coach from Nelson to Kaiteriteri which is in Abel Tasman, then got on a boat which took me to Torrent Bay, and then I walked about 13km back to Marahau. But the girl at the hostel who couldn't speak very good english and booked my ticket didn't do it right. I ended up at Marahau and h...

Saturday 27th - Left Christchurch and caught the TranzAlpine scenic train across Arthurs Pass to Greymouth on the west coast. It was a beautiful day and the scenery was stunning. Stopped at a place called Springfield (nothing like on the Simpsons) and got out to take some photos. It was about a 4 1/2 hour journey, going from the east to the west through the mountians and Arthurs Pass. There was a viewing carriage on the train so I went out there to get some p...