The drive down to Te Anau from Queenstown took us, yet again, through more spectacular scenery, valleys, gorges, mountains (including The Remarkables) and undulating, English style countryside and lots and lots of sheep. There are also lots of vineyards along the way and we pop into one and have a look around. We are quite shocked at the price o...

Friday 14th March This morning we were up early to drive into Queenstown to collect a few things for our next hike. Then we drove down to Te Anau (a route we were familiar with from our travels with Jochen), and then straight up towards Milford Sound. The road there was just stunning and that 2-hour part of the drive could easily have taken all ...

After deciding we were only staying one night in the Sounds, we didnt have anywhere to sleep for that night, so when we arrived in Te Anau, we thought we'd give it a go and managed to get a room at the holiday park down by Lake Te Anau. However, it was a rip off the place as for 60 dollars, we were only paying for a bed .... no linen, no towels,...

Sunday 17th February This morning Jochen dropped us off in town, where we spent the morning. In the afternoon I went for a walk along the lakefront, past the control gates and Dock Bay through forest and then back the same way. Part of the walk was on the Kepler Track, another of New Zealand's famous tracks that I would like to do when we have m...

Whew! After finally getting off the Kepler Track, we are now in Te Anau library, typing this blog entry for all our friends to see. The Kepler was really great because we upgraded the final campsite to a hut, and we didn't have to carry our tents (we left them in Te Anau). The most exciting point of this tramp was the second day, where we battle...

"Age is of no importance unless you are a cheese." --Gibbston Valley Cheesery I thought of Karen Mickler of Yellow Branch Cheese in Robbinsville when we encountered these words. At Gibbston Valley Cheesery we picked up some sheep cheese (very nutty, with a texture like parmesan) for our next tramp. In the same valley we stopped a Peregrine Winer...

2nd to 4th Feb 2008 On Sat, 2nd I had a very early rise to catch the bus to Milford Sound. Stopped off at Te Anau so that we could buy the ticket for Milford Sound cruise and the Stewart Island ferry for later on. At 10am we left Te Anau and stopped off at various photo stops on the way to Milford Sound. Arrived into Milford at around 1245 and b...

I have a cold, I have acquired a fair few more Sandfly bites and I have a rash on my chest and back. But we have just had one of our best experiences in New Zealand. We drove down to Te Anau from Queenstown with Heike, Finn and Lucy. After the YHA managed to screw up the booking for our hostel we found ourselves in a cabin at the Lakeview holida...

Synopsis. Stay tune for more. Staying at the Holday Park. Too tired to move to cheaper accommodation this morning so will stay here tonight as well. Slept in until 9am today!!!! Usually are on the road by now. So nice to just hang out at the Lake. Forcast is for rain for Milford. We head up there tomorrow for kayaking. Staying at only accommodat...

'So how d'you feel?' Today I was a little 'different'. Over me and around me followed that little invisible 'glow' which started to shine at midnight last night and has pretty much followed me around throughout the course of my day and night, shining on me ever so gently. It is of course my birthday and I'm pleased to say that I've successfully ...