Hey! So Im in New Zealand! Well done me! And even more exciting is the fact I have done a short flight and Im not deaf- thanks to beconase, another nasal spray,vicks vapour, aeroplane earplugs and menthol sweets. PHew!

Arrived in Christchurch late on thursday evening and managed to get a lift into town from a lovely Dad I was sitting next too on the plane. He had just picked his little kids up from Australia (as you do) and was taking them back to christchurch for a few days. Managed to have a conversation despite having to wear earplugs the whole time!Huh? WHat? All good! Kiwi's are the nicest people ever, I've decided! They really will go out of their way to be helpful and they're soo happy too! Anyway, he dropped me right outside the hostel and I offered to babysit even tho Im not going to be around... the kids were soo cute.. 2 and 3 years old...awww!

Picked up a bike tour of the city on friday which was pretty good and I still managed to have a sleep in! Saturday tried to organise my trip around the island and decided on a hop on hop off bus tour with a company called Stray which is pretty much what Id planned to do since thailand.. Jo and Mikey had confirmed that its a pretty good company so fingers crossed. Saturday i went back to a few of the places that the tour guide had pointed out on the bike tour including the local fudge shop and the botanical gardens. Very relaxing- perfect!  You should have seen the bike i was on though. It may as well have had a pink streamer and a bell. It was baby blue and had wide handlebars. I looked kool!

Sunday I caught a bus up to Hanmer Springs to stay with Brian and Evelyn who are some of my Grandparents friends. Had a lovely time visiting the thermal spa (hence the name), going on a local walk, visiting a local cemetary and going to a beautiful look out point. The town is really cute and a perfect little holiday town surrounded by mountains. Was really good to settle in NZ before my trip and they made me feel very welcome. Ever so lucky to meet such nice people!

Today I caught a bus to Kaikoura which is a little town on the west coast. As Brain pointed out if you look out to sea the next land mass is South America...(not that you can see that far!) its  crazy..ill be there next! NZ is beautiful and I don't think Im ever going to be bored of the mountains and the scenery. The bus trips can't be boring because everythings so gorgeous. The weather was cloudy and grey today and it was spitting a little but that really doesnt spoil it. To be honest it feels a bit more like home - they even have jersey cows! Today I walked up to the seal colony when I arrived and saw them playing. Very kool. I have to come back through Kaikoura on on my way back around south island heading up to the north. Hopefully then I will be able to do a whale watching trip which this place is famous for. So, for the next couple of weeks ill be heading anti clockwise round south island. I really am not used to these distances. I couldn't quite grasp the fact that 5hours gets you to the other side of the island. I'll try not to rush round but having come from Aus Im expecting everything to take forever! May have to purchase some warmer clothes tho as I dont think my one jumper is going to make it on its own. Hope to upload some pics soon- mainly the neighbours photos and yes Im rooting for Karl in SoapStar Superstar! Go Dr. K!

Love Suz

xxx