Clayridge House Nelson

... my "famous" jump and end up in the water all the way to the belt, giving a nice fresh spa to my feet. This is all right, it may or may not dry overnight but tomorrow is only a short hike out. I had the best days so far in New Zealand and proudly show all the pictures to Adam. Some young couples are staying at the hut, a lot of humor is in the air and we eat all our food for a a big meal...we just miss a good beer, which we will get tomorrow. What a country.

... was very pretty. We drove through a bit of the Marlborough wine region and saw the vineyards before we reached Nelson. We didn't know where to stay so I took our our bible (aka Lonely Planet) and liked the sound of the first hostel so we drove over to it and got a 4 bed dorm all to ourselves. Niamh and myself were in love with the place! It was a lovely sunny day and there was a lovely balcony outside our room and the room itself had lovely wooden ...

... of fun. The front of the boat was the most affect part, so naturally Josh and the rest of the boys went and sat at the front, to watch the massive waves and feel the full affect. After an hour or so everyone was feeling a little rough, so retired to the back for a snooze and an ice cube (they help apparently!)

Once we had landed in Picton it was a short journey to our home for the next 3 nights, Nelson ...

... and 45 minutes on the water takes you through a deep pretty gorge. Near the end there is a 7 meter rock to jump off...I did it three times, it was so cool. So much fun. I wish I could do it again. I probably will, New Zealand's national pastime is jumping off things. Unfortunately for Kristen and for the rest of our group that didn't go rafting, it's a very long trip. We didn't get out of the lodge and on the road to ...

... absolvieren ihre Aktivitaeten ganz ohne Kleider, wie der Herr auf dem Bild "nackter Bungy Jumper", was wir jedoch unterliessen und unsere "Huddle" brav anbehielten. Weiter gings nach Te Anau von wo aus wir natuerlich den wunderschoenen Milford Sound per Auto und Schiff erkundeten. Schon die Fahrt von Te Anau zum Milford Sound ist atemberaubend schoen... eine der ...

... I stopped, and then experimentally took another step. The bird began to hop to the side, away from me, still squawking. I realised that she was trying to draw me away because her nest must be nearby (no idea where, it was not immediately obvious to me and of course had no interest in eating orange eyed baby birds or stealing orange eyed eggs - I do not approve of squab), and so wondered whether for a moment to leave, or to keep on and let the bird realise I ...

... one, anywhere. Oh well, sod 'em we thought and walked out. Next, was another Lonely Planet recommendation. A B & B called Hilltop on High Street. Another steep climb to the front door to find a note on the glass door saying "if not in, please ring mobile number...key outside.". Cryptic!! no key was found under the numerous plant pots, mat, garden furniture but again, the front door was open, which we discovered after ringing the bell a few times and loitering about ...

My turn to drive again. Weather was pretty dismal but no different to Ireland so driving was fine. 2 hours latyer and we were in Nelson. After almost falling asleep in the van (heater was quite tempremental and kept blowing hot air instead of cold) we praised the Lord when we saw a Starbucks. Ended up getting 2 coffees to wake us up ...

... building the hostel is in) has finally picked up. i worked a salsa party there this past weekend and i have officially been upgraded to bartender! it was a little intimidating at first, but by the end of the night i was having fun. black russians and mint mojitos were popular, as well as some kiwi favorites such as lemon lime bitters and vodka lemonade raspberry. the owner has just opened up another bar (in the same building, just ...

... tame as they have no predators and the fat flightless wekas followed me and my carrier bag round, pecking at my sandwiches the moment I took my eye off them. I had my fist kiwi pavlova in the local pub, where various islanders sat round with a "you're not from round here, are you" look on their collective face and trundled back home admiring the brilliantly clear milky way. We headed up the coast through my biggest disappointment of New Zealand- and maybe ...