Written 14th October 2011

Hello!

I am currently sat in a Jail! No don't worry… one of the only hostels open in Christchurch is 'The Jailhouse' so that's where I am spending the next two nights. I haven't had any time to stop and think over the past few days so here I go to tell you what I have been up to since Lake Wanaka.

We left Wanaka early in the morning and headed towards Queenstown, New Zealand's place to be! The amazing views continued along the way and the mountains got bigger before we found the Kawarau River and followed it into Queenstown after making a little stop along the way. So as I said in my last entry it was time to do my bungy jump! I decided that as I have already jumped from 14,000ft that I would now jump only 43m but do the world's original bungy jump and get dunked into the Kawarau River! The over option was the Nevis jump at 134m, the worlds 2nd highest.

When we got to the bridge everyone piled of the bus and made their way to the viewing platform, including myself. I then left the group to go pay and get weighed before returning to watch someone jump off and head to the centre of the bridge myself. I got to the middle of the bridge and looked over to the view platform. The pressure was on as now I had an audience, many of which knew me and were yelling support. This included, 'GO POM-POM!' which became my nickname because of the hat! When in the middle of the bridge my legs were strapped and I was harnessed up before waddling to the edge of the platform. From the top the water looked an amazing blue colour and all I could see was the flowing water and the boat they pull you back to the side in. The guy at the top told me to pose for the pictures, which I totally rocked, then just as he started his 3,2,1 I saw everyone on the platform waving before getting into my Buzz Lightyear pose and jumping off! No hesitation, no worries, no problem! The fall was awesome! I remember my stomach ending up in my mouth before catching a glimpse of the water, ducking my head and taking a breath! Next thing I knew I was going back up wet though! I was then totally disorientated and tried my best to find the camera man as I went up and down dangling by my feet! I spotted the boat and pulled myself in, the guy untied me and I was back on the ground! I can officially say that it was the fastest way I have ever spent ₤100! I then made my way back to the top where everyone was and checked out my pictures. I must say they are bloody brilliant! I dried myself off, put on my free t-shirt and that was it. We all got back on the bus and made our final decent into Queenstown! I felt a bit weird and had a funny head ache but after a sit down in Bumbles, my home for the next 4 days I was fine. It was the time to party!

Our first night in Queenstown was a big night! England v France in the quarter final! Now I know I don't like rugby but I couldn't resist the opportunity to paint my face in a big red and white flag and put on my England shirt! The girls also painted their faces, Amelia opting to go French as she has lived in Paris all her life and Kathy opting for a small flag of each team as she is a massive Springbok fan. We then met up with Mans and Steina, the Swedish, and all went for a Fergburger looking ridiculous! Fergburger's are not just any burger they are delicious! They are massive, very very tasty and have the best toppings ever. A Queenstown delicacy the Fergburger is a must have when visiting so it was rude not to try one on our first night. I chose the tropical one and it was the best burger I have ever had, I even ate all the pineapple, lettuce and tomatoes! After just about managing to polish it all off without ruining the face paint we headed to Altitude bar to meet the rest of the Magic bus to watch the rugby. Being Magic passengers entitled us to special drinks prices and over the night I enjoyed making the most of 2 pints for $7! We found a spot and settled down to watch and support our respective teams. As you can imagine I wasn't at all fussed with the game and found it more entertaining to watch Amy and Amelia going mad! Amy especially was a raving hooligan and was shouting at the TV while jumping up and down throughout the match. It was all very entertaining! Unfortunately, as I chose a white wristband in the competition for a $1000 bar tab for the winning team, England lost! All the frenchies enjoyed their free drinks before we all were amazed by the Swedish, Mans and Steina. Within about 5 mins of the match ending they were busting out the moves on the dance floor! This is when I realised it was going to be a good night :-) We danced and danced for hours while continuing to drink, it was an awesome night. I enjoyed parleing avec le French and seeing how many people I could get to let me try their wig on or do the London Eye dance move. At about 2am we made our way out of the club and headed back home. Now without face paint due to the fact it made us look every sweaty we had a nice stroll back to Bumbles along the lake. Then it was into bed and a good nights sleep, after a little while anyway ;-)

The day after we all met at about 12pm after a nice lie in! This was our free day in beautiful Queenstown and we had a great afternoon planned. We had a wonder though the town, which I can only describe as a large alpine ski village, before heading up the Skyline gondola to the viewpoint overlooking the town. The view from the top was gorgeous; the sky was crystal clear, lake gigantic and the snow capped mountains surrounding Lake Wakatipu topped it off beautifully. We had a few group pictures before heading to the Luge track, basically a steep windy track which you fly down on a little go kart type thing. We went down the track racing each other numerous times and I had a great time once I managed to beat the girls!

We then had our photo shoot! At the top there was this metal frame that you can use to frame your pictures. We spent ages posing and setting up self time photos! We ended up with some great group photos with a fantastic view in the background! In the evening we cooked a big group batch of Fajita's before an early night and our trip to the Milford Sound, well after an early night after a little while anyway ;-) We also said goodbye to the Swedish, Mans and Steina who were moving on. Mans was like my brother for a few days and we all got on really well as a group. Just for Mans, 'What'sup Cus' x

Milford Sound is apparently the must see thing in New Zealand but before I begin here is the science lesson. A Sound is when a valley is cut by a river over millions of years and a Fiord is when a glacier cuts the valley over millions of years. Milford is actually a Fiord and was originally called Milford Haven, after the place in Britain. Then the dozy English decided to change its name to suit what they thought it to be and so it became Milford Sound. However they were wrong as it is actually a Fiord and is in the Fiordland which was cut by glaciers, not rivers. End of lesson.

So the day started very early as we had to be on the bus by 6.55am. We set off along the amazing road to Milford following Lake Wakatipu and the amazing mountain range until we arrived in Te Anau. Another beautiful lake, Te Anau was our cup of tea and breakfast stop. After Te Anau we made our way though the National Park stopping off at numerous points along the way. These included great views down valleys, fantastic road views and also Mirror Lake. Mirror Lake did exactly what the name suggests; it mirrored the sky in the lake. It was a great day for it as the lake was still and the sky was clear. The reflection of the mountains was great and when a picture is rotated it is very hard to tell which way round is the correct way. After the monster journey we eventually arrived at Milford Sound and boarded the boat. The sky stayed clear for us and the sun was shinning. The view from the boat was beautiful. Words cannot explain how the mountains rose vertically out of the water. There were amazing waterfalls all along the sound and water was pouring off the rock all over. It was freezing due to the wind but we braved the cold to see the amazing view, take some great pictures and enjoy our cruise in paradise. It was then back onto the coach and another monster drive back to Queenstown. On the way back we watched a really good film called, 'The World's Fastest Indian. It was such a feel good movie, just like 'Cool Runnings.' When we got back we were all knackered and decided pasta in a bag and a night in playing Monopoly was the best thing to do. Now anyone who I went to university with will know that Monopoly created possibly the biggest argument of our 3 years in York! I am proud to say however that I am now over my disappointment at housemates cheating as I thrashed everyone playing good and proper by buying the complete last side and collecting over $20m off anyone who landed on my many hotels J I was chuffed to say the least! Take that Rachel Hussey, Natalie Shaw and Jane Tilly you cheat's!

The following day was my last in Queenstown and although I was now suffering from severe man flu and my body was ready for packing in I decided White Water Rafting was just what the doctor ordered. I again got up at 7am and went up to the rafting shop to be kitted out. A 5mm wet suit, wet suit jacket, over jacket, boots, helmet and lifejacket later we all pilled in the bus and drove to the Shotover river. The road down to the river was incredible. Down either side of the bus and trailer was about 100m cliff! It was crazy; I could just see an Italian Job/Free Willy moment hanging over the edge developing! Luckily we made it to the river and hopped into the rafts. I was at the front of the raft and lead rower! To start with it was a bit tame but after a while it got going. We went through about 5 big rapids and a tunnel during the trip and managed to do it all without throwing anyone out of the raft. The whole journey down the river we were surrounded by old gold mining equipment and went though some amazing gorges. I helped guide Zeb steer the boat though a pitch black tunnel, just like Rosie and Jim, before popping out and flying down a massive rapid! The last one of the day it was really good fun! I ended up head butting the front of the boat but managed to hold on and when we eventually got back to base was shattered. I had managed to survive and I can now confirm I think that was the last crazy activity of my trip! Doesn't my body know it though!

When I got back to the hostel I slept all afternoon on the sleeping bags before the girls and I decided a Fergburger and a walk around the park was the perfect way to spend our last night together. The three of us, Amy, Amelia and I have had a fantastic 13 days together since we met in Picton. When I met them they described themselves as Grandma's as they like to actually see the country instead of partying all the time. This was great for me as I suppose I am a Grandad! We all got on really well and became really close, especially Amy and I ;-) We saw some really cool things and did some amazing things together, it was a shame I had to leave the girls in Queenstown but I suppose all good things come to an end.

So my time in Queenstown was over. I had a great few days with some fantastic friends. It is a beautiful place and had everything, the perfect place to live!

The next stop was Dunedin and my journey back to the Northern Hemisphere was about to begin. I had reached my furthest point away from home after just under 4 months travelling and the journey home starts from here.

Bye Queenstown and bye to some great friends.

See you soon,

Tom x