New Zealand- South Island

The South Island was completely different from the North. The landscape was very dramatic. We did not see a lot of Picton as we got on the train pretty quickly. We headed to Kaikoura. The train journey was fun and spectacular. We were both being so very nosey at everyone one the train. I think they all knew, which made it even more funny. The journey was wonderful, we rode by the coast line and could see seals and black sands. We arrived at Kaikoura about 6pm. When we checked in to the hostel, I did not realise there were still people asleep and I made a comment on the mess in the room, which woke the guys up. Gemma and I could not stop laughing. Later on the guys had tidied the room and told us they were really hung over.

Gemma and I went off to see the seal colony. The weather was awful. We were wearing these anoraks which we had brought from the wear house. They kept us dry and matched. The seals were so close and cute. The weather continued to be bad. We kept walking around in the bad weather. We really wanted to go whale watching and possibly dolphin swimming. If you had seen the weather, there was not really a chance that the boats were going to go out. We continued to ask each day.

The weather was actually so bad that there had been land slides. We were stuck in Kaikoura. Everyone staying were lovely. There was a Canadian family who always cooked so much, and we ate their left overs, we played cards in the evening with other people staying at the hostel. We even decided to get some wine in.

There was not a lot to do here, we did go on a wine tour to this beautiful vineyard. It was tiny and the cellar was really pretty. I think we decided to get quite a bit of wine for that evening.

We were due to get the train to Christchurch, but the train line was not open, due to the landslides. They were awful. We had to get a bus instead and the damage was dreadful. The roads had been cleared but there was still so much mess. Entire cliffs had come down. The trees l00ked like over cooked vegetables. I do not think they could take anymore water.

This day was the best day in Kaikoura. Before we caught the bus, we were able to go whale watching, which was not fun for everyone. They did warn us that there is a high risk of sea sickness. I was fine, but I think most people on the boat were sick. We managed to see one whale and an albatross.

The sun came out today for the first time, when we woke up we could not believe our eyes. We were finally able to see the mountains that faced the hostel. We had a walk round to the seal colony again, and there were lot and lots of them sun bathing and playing in the ocean.

We were actually quite sad to leave in the end. We were definitely rewarded that day by the sunshine. We were desperate to leave when we could not go, but kind of sad to leave after seeing the true beauty of the place.

We did not see Christchurch, as we arrived at 7pm and had to leave the next morning by 8am. We went to Greymouth. Neither of us were particularly impressed. We hung out by the hostel and chatted to other people staying there about Thailand and Australia which was fun.

Next stop was Franz Joseph which was great fun. We were sharing a room with three Scandinavian girls, we all went out for a drink in the evening and all were in bed by 11pm, though everyone else stayed out until 1am. We all did the glacier walk the next day, which was great fun. There were some Mexicans also doing the walk, so I tried very badly to speak Spanish with them.

I found the walk quite frightening at times. There were huge holes in the ice and I was really scared I would fall in. I made the rest of the group scared and the tour guide had to help us all.

We were so tired that evening. We watched a film and went to bed. The bus always picks us up very early. The next stop was Wanaka. Gemma and I suddenly became party girls. We went out for some delicious food, then to a bar, and did not get back until 4am. The next day we went skiing/ snowboarding.

I did really well this time. Really enjoyed myself. I did fall over a few times but managed it.

Then we went down to Queenstown, where we decided to join a pub crawl. I did not make it back until 8am. I drank so much. I drank shots and other stuff I would not normally touch. I think I was still drunk that day. We got some breakfast, and had to be in bed by 10pm that night.

Queenstown has the most beautiful scenery I think I have ever seen. We had a good walk around the lake, and went kayaking one day. We went over to one of the islands on the lake. It was really relaxing. We got to see a lot of the native plants and birds in New Zealand. I went skiing the next day, and found the slopes really frightening. They were really icy and I did not know where I was going. I went on the ski lifts on my own, and when people came on with me, I kept knocking them all over. I managed to take out an entire family.

Queenstown was great fun. We were ready to leave, but could have stayed longer. The food, the activities, and the bars were all great fun.

We headed off to Dunedin which was a bit boring compared to Queentown. We met up with Gemma's family and went out on a boat to see albatrosses, seals and other wildlife. In the evenings we met up with people we had met in Queenstown. It was nice to catch up with people.

The last two stops were Lake Tekapo and Christchurch. Lake Tekapo was a compulsory stop I was not interested in stopping there really, but it turned out to be ok. We played cards in the evening, everyone had different rules to the game we were playing which made it stressful. We changed to something easier, and the red wine kinda eased everything. Christchurch was lovely. Finally had the sunshine. Sunbathed in the botanical gardens. Went out for lots of drinks in the evenings.

I was not sure if I was ready to leave New Zealand. It had gone by so quickly. Gemma and I were awful at the airport. We queued up in the wrong que to check in, did not know about the departure tax, so I ended up with no cash, and forgot to fill in the departure forms.

Each que we joined we had to leave and rejoin. Then on the plane we were looking forward to the food, and a film but did not realise we were on a budget flight and had to pay for all of that. So I was quite hungry on the plane and the air stewards were not happy with me asking for the free water all the time.

We arrived safely in Melbourne, but were so disappointed with the weather. We had left the sunshine in New Zealand hoping Melbourne would be even better. Much to our disappointment it was cold and raining.

Definitely had a great time in New Zealand, but was ready for warmer weather. I loved the snow and mountains, rivers, lakes and waterfalls, but was getting tired of wearing my thermals.