Well Hello and apologies for how far behind we have got but we've just been having too much fun and the idea of sitting at a computer for any longer than Facebook takes was not appealing! Were actually now in the North Island so hopefully we want forget too much over the next few blog entries and we should have you all up to date shortly!

P.S New Zealand is absolutely beautiful!!!! We love it!

P.P.S Please don't be shocked by the amount of nights out we've been having! Everyone does it and it's so hard to say NO! At the moment a day without an alcoholic beverage is a rare one!

Thursday 14th January 2010, Travel day from Kaikoura to Nelson

Today was a travel day. We checked out of Albatross Backpackers at about 8:30am (another early start) as we were due to be picked up by Kiwi Experience at 8:50am. Well 8:50am came and went and at around 9:15am we were starting to think we had been forgotten so Caroline got on to the phone to the office and no don't worry you've not been forgotten there on there way. Well eventually at 9:30am a girl from Kiwi Experience pulled up in a van to pick us up. She apologized for being so late but then proceeded to tell us that actually the bus we were getting actually wasn't going to leave now until 10:30am! God I'm so glad we got up early-what a waste of time that was!

The reason being was that there were too many people for one bus, so the people that had to go to Picton to catch the ferry to the North Island had gone in the first bus and then us lot who were just going to Nelson had to wait for the second bus which was on its way from Christchurch. Now for people like us who had arranged to spend more than 1 night in Nelson it was wasn't really a problem except for the waiting, we seem to spend half of our lives waiting, but for people who only had 1 night they weren't too happy!

Anyway the bus eventually arrived and we were on the road at about 11am. We then drove for just over 2 hours through some stunning scenery of mountains, wineries and hills before stopping at Pelorus Reserve River and bridge stop. Here we had a spot of lunch whilst getting to know Carly and Hayley before heading down to the river. We could have swam if we wanted and I did put my bikini on but very quickly decided that it was far too cold and so we just sat in the sun for a bit.

From here it was back onto the bus and straight off too Nelson. We arrived about 3:30pm and as we were staying at Paradisio along with a few others we were dropped off first. Once we had checked in we headed into Nelson for a walk around the town. We chose to walk in via the river which was a very pleasant walk and then once in town we had a look and then went to the supermarket to get stuff for tea and some beverages!

Once back at the hostel we cooked tea, ate, had a few beers and then had a reasonably early night!

Friday 15th January 2010, Nelson

Today's main aim was to find Caroline a new camera as hers was broken!!! Because we had to change rooms today we didn't even get to be lazy bums in the morning! We vacated the room we were in at about 10:30am and after storing our bags we had a chilled breakfast and then headed into Nelson.

Because we weren't sure what was wrong with Caroline's camera we tried a few camera shops first to see if they could work out the problem. Basically the thought was that it was the memory card not the camera. But as it has done it now twice and both times Caroline has lost a load of photos, she made the decision to buy a new one!

So after a lot of deliberating and seeking advice, going between 3 or 4 shops we eventually made it down to 2 cameras. So whilst we decided we went for a spot of lunch, bought some shoes, put my pictures on CD and then eventually Caroline decided on the Fiji one!

After purchasing the new camera we then climbed up the stairs up to Nelson cathedral. We had a brief look around, (it's tiny so it didn't take long) before then going to Global gossip too do some catching up. On our way back into the town from the internet place we happened to pass a rather nice looking pub/restaurant and we couldn't resist popping in for just one glass of wine! Well you know us one never means one so several glasses later we left and then had too leg it back to the hostel in order to pay for tomorrow's activities!! God we do like to leave things until the last minute!!

So whilst I legged it back to the hostel, Caroline went to the supermarket to get lunch for tomorrow and stuff for tea. Once we had rejoined each other we made tea and sorted our sandwiches out for tomorrow before then joining Carly and Hayley for a few more drinks on the bus at the back of the garden!

Saturday 16th January 2010, Abel Tasman National park, Near Nelson.

Nice early start today as we had to catch the bus to Abel Tasman National Park. We were picked up at 7am and then after a few more pick ups we were on the road by 7:45am. It was a 2 hour drive to Kaiteriteri, which is the gateway to the park. Once here we were given our boat tickets which were included and then it was about a half hour wait before the boat left so we purchased a steaming hot cup of coffee, it was badly needed! The weather this morning was pretty bad but thankfully as the day went on it big style improved!

Basically for toady we had purchased a $67 ticket for the travel to and from Nelson and a boat ticket for in the national park. The boat ride was about 45 minutes along some beautiful coastal scenery. We were dropped off at Anchorage Bay and then from there it was a 13km walk back to Marahau where we were then met by the bus to get us back to Nelson.

The walk was really nice with some stunning scenery. It took us about 3 and half hours and that was with a lunch stop on the beach. Thankfully the weather improved and the day turned into a beautiful sunny one. We both had a great day and really enjoyed the walk even the hills!

At the end of the walk we had a well deserved coffee and soft drink before busing it back to Nelson! Once back in Nelson we used the net and then after going to the supermarket we headed back to the hostel for tea and bed!!!

And today we had NO ALCOHOL!!!! That is certainly one for the diaries! It's not happening often!