Up early today, quick breakfast and trying not to feel nervous as we went to check in for our white water rafting trip on the 4/5 grade Shotover River. With an ominous S for Shotover written on our hands to send us in the right direction we boarded the minibus for the short ride to the rafting centre where we were kitted out with all the necessary gear: wetsuits, jackets and boots, life-jackets and helmets. Back on board the minibus, pulling the trailer with the ...

Up early and delicious eggs benedict in the Eichardt's Bar before driving to Arthur's Point for a Jet Boat ride on the Shotover River. We were kitted out with big waterproof capes and life-jackets before we climbed aboard and Simon and I sat up front with the driver. The next 30 minutes tooks us on a thrilling and exhilerating roller coaster ride at breakneck speed along the river taking us again and again within inches of the rocks along the gorge and including ...

We had to be up very early, if not bright, for our flight back to Invercargill. The weather was very hot and sunny as we left Stewart Island but as we descended into Invercargill it was grey and chilly looking, like another world. We returned to the car and had a short ride around Invercargill to see the sights before moving on. Not all that many sights to see but we saw the pyramid shaped museum which is currently showing the Romans, and the impressive Queens Pa...

Back in Queenstown after our wonderful helicopter trip and the sun was still shining! We made our way down to the lakeside and booked in for the 'Million Dollar Cruise' which was due to depart soon after. It was a spur of the moment thing but we were so glad that we did this trip. It was a 90 minute tour round Lake Wakatipu. The sun was sparkling on the water and the views were just spectacular! The boat was small and friendly but also very comfortable and the c...

The weather this morning was beautiful, sunny and clear with nothing but a few fluffy white clouds in the sky. To our delight we got the call to say that the forecast for Milford Sound was good and our special helicopter trip could go ahead this morning. On arriving at Queenstown airport we were introduced to our pilot, Buck Rodgers (yes, really!!) and within minutes we were up, up and away in our beautiful Squirrel helicopter. From then on the 'wow' factor took...