Arrived in the evening at Ohakune and bad weather, we checked the weather report at the lodge we were staying at and the moutain had been shut all day due to strong winds!!!! This was not looking good for tomorrows planned day on the slopes however it did say that the weather should be better in morning. We sat around lodge that evening watching a film next to the fire and avoiding going back tot he room for as long as possible since it was soo cold!!!! Next morn...

After a quiet night in Picton we got our ferry to Wellington at 8am. # hours and a couple of films later we were in Wellingotn and checked into a hostel. I then arranged to meet Vicki (who I had met in China) who had been living out here for a few months working. Went for a few beers with her and Andy that afternoon. Was really really good to chat and catch up with her especially since she was one of the first people I had met along my travels. We sat and watched...

The drive to Franz josef as per the rest of the South island was picturesque with plenty of stop off points with lookouts over lakes, mountains, and just large open spaces. This was probably the biggest thing for me coming to new Zealand and seeing, the sheer scale of open space and how few people actually live in teh country. I beleive the country has 4 million residents and 2 million of those live in Auckland!!!! Another bit of factual information there, well o...

We arrived in Wanaka at 6pm and drove past the famous lake where we stopped and had a brief walk about. We went and checked into a hostel and spent the evening here catching up on news from back home etc. Following day we headed back to the lake to have another wander in the daylight and truly is a huge Lake. I think this is the fourth biggest lake in New Zealand and is 300metres deep in places!!! How about that for some interesting facts there!!! After this we...

So after a days rest from the snow boarding we deaprted for Wellington, where we would be getting the ferry over to the South Island. We arrived in the afternoon but the next available ferry was not until 3am!!! We wasted some time in Wellington by going up to the Mount Victoria lookout point which had views over the city and sea. Pretty windy up here as was Wellington in general and certainly didnt inspire me for a comfortable journey across to the south. Went t...