First and foremost I have to say what an amazing time the 2 of us have had in the south island. We've both pushed ourselves and eachother to do things we've even imaginned doing before and now we've got some experiences that we will never ever forget. After leaving Christchurch we drove to the north of the south island to a place called Kikora where we stopped at a seal colony..(these animals are the cutest things ever!!) and then jumped on a boat in extremely rough seas to spot 2 sperm whales, breath taking! From Kikora we moved up to Nelson...a cool small town where we took q walk to the official centre point of New Zealand. From this point you get the most outstanding and diverse 360 degree view ranging from a working town, a harbour, the sea, green mountains, a volcano and snowy mountains. From there we moved to lake Mahanipua where we stayed at this crazy mans ranch (he's 81 and still going strong). He held a fancy dress party for us in the night, the theme being 'things that begin with the letter P' so natrually we went 'punk rock'. The next day we moved to a place called Franz Joseph which is host to the Fox Glacia. Most poeple took a full day trip to walk up the galcia and some even jumpped in a helicopter to get a good view but not us. With a pic axe and spiked crampons on our boots we single handedly climbed the walls of the glacia. At times it was so hard we wanted to cry but i cant tell you the buzz when you get to the top and realise you've climbed a glacia by yourself! The next day we got up at 6.30..the 2 of us got suited up jumpped into a 4 seater plane, circled the fox glacia and mount cook (new zealands biggest mountain) and then JUMPPED OUT of the same plane. After freefalling for 45 secs attatched to an experienced sky diver we parachuted the rest of the way down. An amazing experience and a 22nd bday present never to be forgotten. The next day we stopped at a small town called Wanaka..very cool ski resort where we just chilled out ready for the maddness of the next 6 days which was Queenstown. Wat can i say about Queenstown ....be prepared to spend all your money, scare yourself to death but give yourself the best time you've ever had! We entered queenstown throwing ourselves off bridges, ledges, generally massive things in the form of bungees. Such an adrenalin rush! Then there was 3 days of snowboarding followed by backflipping 60mtres into a canyon on the worlds largest swing. After all this we came back to chrsitchurch...mainly for sanitys sake for a short rest ready to see wat the north island has to offer us. And if it's anything like its southernly brother we in for another mindblowing experience. Lucy & Sam xxxxxxx xxxxxxx