Huntley House- A Select Hotel Christchurch

... the descent to the Rover. We then head back to a farm where we have lunch and a a couple of glasses of champagne! I never thought id be drinking champers in a disused sheep shearing shed in the middle of nowhere! Thats what ive loved about this trip-these one-off experiences that ill remember forever. <br>Then we start our journey back, taking in the scenery once more. The isolation in which some of the farmers live is incredible- as Rick said you need to be ...

... and dan!<br>Luckily the spa pool sorted that out! lovely and hot.<br><br>In the morning we continued our journey down south along the west coast towards fox glacier, where we walked to see the glacier face. You cant get too close because the ice randomly falls and kills people, but was a nice view anyway. We then headed to the next town and glacier in franz josef, and there i went on a 5 hour hike and climb up the glacier, which was the best thing iv done sofar here. It was ...

... but its gotta be done. We also got snow chains! The car was an automatic so Sophie just drove around for a bit to get used to it, didnt take long and then we headed into Christchurch after picking up a few essentials from a supermarket - bread, cheese, pasta, carrots and gloves and a hot water bottle for me!! We parked near the botanical gardens and went to Cantebury Museum. Quite interesting but then ...

After an early morning flight from Sydney, we arrived in Christchurch just after lunch (we are now 11 hours ahead of the UK). As soon as we got out of the airport we were hit by freezing winds and icy rain so we were extremely pleased to have already purchased very warm clothes, hats and gloves! We found our way to the hostel in town and then set out to check out the town, we had a really nice look around ...

... rapes (thick PJs). We didn't look THAT bad, did we?. Maybe our flannies and beanies were a bit too fashionable for them and they were embarrased with their evening apparel.  Well, Ol' Dolly had a special surprise for the whole wagon train. He'd purchased a "Disposable BBQ". Hey, now we're cookin'!  It was a disposable baking dish containing 5 heat beads, a firestarter and covered in some gauze. Flaash one, aye! We sat it on the ground and lit 'er up! Scene shot: 3 blokes standing ...

... conserve space. Either way, I fit in them fine! As we hiked out from the hut the wind picked up and when we woke up from a night of little sleep (campground is 20ft from the main road and the train) clouds were moving in. So we hightailed it out of the Southern Alps as another South-Westerly moved in bringing rain. We zig-zagged up to Henmer Springs and played tourist there for a night and day. We paid $14 each to get into the hot springs but we enjoyed ourselves for two hours ...

... for Becca. This is our ultimate goal, but it could change somewhat as you all know! Anyways for those of you who do not know, that&#8217;s the rough plan, and we're going to be home for bex's cousin's wedding early October next year so that is the absolute latest we shall return!<br><br>I apologise that this has been far too long coming, the next instalment will probably be mid-September, just before we start our mini trip, or possibly straight after with more exciting ...

... amazing..will have to see what the lovely people at STA say. so thats it from new zealand. another country down, only one to go. : ( am very sad to leave as it is just too beautiful here and there is so much fun to be had and have met some lovely people. thats the only bad thing about traveling, u never really get used to having to say goodbye to people all the time. oh well, mardi gras tonight and hopefully meeting up with some previous travel buddies so all is good. be in touch soon.

... Christchurch on a very delayed plane. Waiting for passengers - so departed half hour late! The flight in over the south island was amazingly breathtaking. The coast line was smooth and flat with the rivers edging out into of the ocean. Suddenly little mounds started popping up through the clouds. The mountain range, dark with random patches of snow, took over the landscape creating deep crevices between large solid rocks (or so it looked ). Then ...

... I'll just throw it away." AHHHHHHH almost pooped my pants. But I didn't have time for that because we went dancing!!!! Fat Eddie's was the first stop with a live band. Afrwards, we headed on down to Boogie nights. SO FUN! We all danced till 4 am. Then it was off to home for 2 1/2 hours of sleep then work at 7. I was surprisinly upbeat. However, when 6 o'clock that evening rolled around, I was toast. All in all, holidays in the sun are top notch with the right German men around. Hahaha