Monday 2 October 2006 Up early to check whether it was a good day for skiing. It was so got into our ski gear and waited for our pick up. Got taken up to Cardrona Alpine Resort. The drive up there was a little scary with a mad driver speeding up the mountain round the bends! Ski's and helmets on we went to have a little play on the snow before our lesson. Managed to amuse ourselves for about half an hour before ski school started! Good start considering Rita ...

Saturday 30 September 2006 - Wanaka Time to play! Off to Puzzling World! Started off in the Great Maze Labyrinth. A 2 storey adult sized maze 1.5km of confusing passages! Split into our 2's to race each other..... the winners being the first ones to go to all 4 coloured towers (getting photographic evidence!) then making their way to the exit! Sounds easy!!.... Average time being between 30mins and 1hour. Raced around (dodging Sel & Beth) - g...

Friday 29 September 2006 - Haast to Wanaka Firstly drove to Jackson Bay, only to drive back again as there was nothing to see plus it was raining! Scenic drive to Wanaka passing Lake Hawea and Lake Wanaka. Purple Cow Lodge had been recommened, this hostel could say they had amazing views on their doorstep. Big windows looking out onto Lake Wanaka with the mountains (still a bit of snow!) behind. Spent the afternoon wandering around the town. S...

Thursday 28 September 2006 - Fox Glacier to Haast Morning run, appreciating the scenery, snow capped mountains! Went to Lake Matheson, an 1.5 hour loop trip past Mt Cook reflection point. Not that we got to see the reflection! Made our way to Franz Josef Glacier where we did the valley walk, getting as close to the Glacier as you can without paying!! Back to Fox Glacier where we did that valley walk then set off for Haast. Such a quiet t...

Wednesday 27 September 2006 - Fox Glacier Sel went on her full day hike while we opted for the Helihike! A 2hour hike on the ice, with a little help from a helicopter to get us up there! Stumpy (the short bus!) took us to the Helipad where we had some safety chat, got given our boots and assigned to a helicopter. Rita got to sit in the front next to the pilot. It was an 8 minute flight up to the Glacier (the highest point you could hike). Once ...