Airport

Hello and goodbye

Now at the airport and would like to thank everyone that has followed our journey and hope that we have entertained you all the way.

See everyone soon.

Sally and Natalie.

Singapore

Hi everyone

Singapore has been great and we have been in the infinity pool on the 57th floor, that was a little scary at first.
Went on the Singapore Flyer and view Singapore from height again but from a different angle.  Something that was out of this world and a very strange expereince indeed, was that of the "Doctor Fish', you know the ones that eat all the dead skin of your body.  We were only brave enough to put our feet in!!
Spent an evening at the Night Safari with its very own Halloween expereince thrown in as well, not to scary for us western's.
The afternoon tea at Raffles Hotel was out of this world and yet another cultural event for us, I know you are all surprise about the cultural bits we have done. 
Unfortunately, you may have heard on the news about the fog in Singapore and that has ruined the time in Singapore alittle, due to lack of blue sky's and sun.
Also lost our life savings at the casino last night but it was a fun journey!!

Our credit cards have now finally blown up and can take no more, so have to come home.

Christchurch Again

Hi

Our last day in NZ before we fly to SINGAPORE, woke up this morning bruised and battered from our extreme Go Ape experience yesterday.

Had parts of our body aching that should not ache!!! So we thought we would do it all again and go up the Gondola to the top of a mountain one way and walk back down again.  We walked for over 2 hrs along the crater rim walk from the top to the bottom.  Unfortunately, our muscles still ached after that.

Have managed to get everything into our rucksacks for the flight tomorrow and that involved a lot of pushing and jumping up and down on the bags.

Christchurch

Hi followers

Still in Christchurch and today we challenged ourselves again and went out to Spencer Park and did the extreme "Go ape" for NZ.

Completed the course and only hesitated on a few of the high rope walks and pathways!!.

Of too do the Gondalo tomorrow to finish of our time in Christchurch before moving onto Singapore and the amazing swimming pool on the 55th floor, can not wait to expereince that one.

Thanks for following us and keep on doing so until the end.

Christchurch

Hello

Arrived in Christchurch our last location on this trip of NZ before flying to Singapore.

Walked the "Peace Walk" around the river Avon in Christchurch before dinner out and a good nights sleep, before the next days challenge.

The next morning we went to the Art Gallery, yes we do have some culture.  We walked around the Ron Mueck Sculpture Exhibition, very strange but highly recommended, see picture below.

The afternoon was spent with Adventure Trailrides on a half day offroad riding expereince in the hills of Springfield.  Awesome and we both only came of our bikes twice, in fact this time around I gave blood to NZ adventure sports.  I cut my thumb alittle!! but did not cry.

Lake Takepo to Geraldine

Picture House

Hi again

Morning at the lake sun bathing as it was so hot that day and also alittle sight seeing in the village.

Had a very interesting and colourful conversation with an older biker, who I am amazed is still living the wild life he spoke about!!!  Beat Natalie at crazy golf, yes they do have that game over here as well.

Moved on from here to Geraldine a little place on route 79 as we contiune towards Christchurch.  Sat and eat ice cream from the tub watching a local game of cricket.  Do not know who won!!

Watched the film "Salt" at a very interesting hertiage picture house in the town and sat on very comfortable settees with sheep skin covers.

Carrying on towards Christchurch in the morning.

Oamaru

NZ Postie show us how it's done

Hi yes we are back

Camped for one night at a busy little place called Oamaru, famous for it's penguim colonies.  Unfortunately, we did not spot any yellow or blue pengiums on our visit.

In the morning walked around the Victorian quarter of the town prior carrying on our journey towards Christchurch.  Tried our first NZ pies and would have them again, with chips!!!

Stopped along the route to dip our toes in the clear and very cold waters of  Lake Tukapo and camped here.  Spent the evening relaxing in the Alpine Springs over looking the lake as the sun set.  Water Temperature's 40 degrees to relax our poor muscles from all that driving.  And then viewed the clearest sky's in the world and the moon so bright with its face looking down at us.

Journey from Dunedin to Christchurch

Morning

Prior leaving Dunedin we walked up the steepest street in the world and spent to much money in the local shops, so knew it was time to move on.

Baldwin Street in Dunedin

Shag means something different over here

Moeraki Boulders

Taking a slow  drive along the East Coast of the South Island up to Christchurch, stopping at varied locations along the way.  Spotting penguims and seals along the coast and I climbed to the top of Pukeetapu Mountain to the monument on the top.  And we went to "Shag Point" to see the views!!!
The Moeraki Boulders are huge boulders washed up on the beach and Maori folkfore is that they were food storage vessels made of solid rock.
Carrying on our journey after resting at Oamaru were we can spot yellow and blue penguims at the local beaches if luckily.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

OMG Lorraine

That big number and day has finally arrived and we are telling the world you are 50 TODAY!

So can everyone please wish my sister Lorraine a Happy 50th Birthday.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY - A PRIVATE JOKE

PS

Hi

PS: Lorraine only two days to go!!

PS: Ruby and Miles have your postcards arrived yet?

PS: Does anyone out there know the other three corners of the world, named by captain cook.  See previous photo on last blog.

PS: Ruby, Millie is having fun on her own holiday away at the beach.

Dunedin

One of the four corners of the world

Hello again

Our day in Dunedin saw us complete a wild life tour along the peninduls coastline located here. And on the tour with us was a location spotter for the Nadier and Hobbits films and he took lots of photos that included us. So we are hoping to have been spotted for the next Hobbits film, you never know, stranger things happen at sea.

And of course no visit to NZ would be complete without a visit to Cadburys world and loads of free samples of NZ chocolate products. That one was for me, Sally.

And if you are from Aldershot we have just found the AMs of Aldershot in Dunedin and now feel sick having eaten to much of the buffet dinner. As we worked the name "eat as much as you can!!".

Queenstown Day 2

Hi

Our next day in Queenstown saw us jump into a very small plane that managed to squeeze 12 people into it. The flight took us over the snow capped Alps to visit Milford Sound Fjord and take a cruise through that on arrival.

We were then flown back over the Alps once more and over the largest waterfall in NZ, again awesome sights as far as the eye can see!!

To finish the day off we went to Arrow town were we panned for gold, but luck was held by us this time around. So unfortunately, we will have to return to our jobs as some point to earn enough to pay for this little lot.

We decided to leave Queenstown and move onto Dunedin on the East Coast.

Queenstown Continued

Hi

We are back on line and alive.

In Queenstown we carried on the adventures and the challenges with the shotover jet boats through the canyons and loads of 360 degree turns in the river. We were in jet boats that were taken so close to the canyon sides you though we were going to hit them. Came out looking like drown rats but enjoying every moment, it was awesome (our new favourite NZ word to describe everything over here!!).

As we dried ourselves out we sat and had a coffee and the hugest piece of double chocolate cheesecake you have ever seen, to share!!

Natalie was brave and booked herself a paragliding expereince and loved every minute, once she had been pushed of the side of the mountain, by the two instructors.

After that it was an early dinner and a beer after such a busy and full day of activities.

The evening was also spent in the "minus 5" bar for a vodka cocktail in minus 7 degrees of ice. Then into the Irish bar for more beer and a warm in front of an open fire.

Queenstown

Hi

Have arrived in Queenstown the adventure capital of NZ and building up slowly to the bungy jump!
So far have done the gondole ride, luge race and the shotover jetboat ride.

Fox Glacier

Both fell at this point, so natural

Morning

After a pint and half of Montieths Golden Brew we managed to sleep through the sound of the rain bouncing of the camper all night!!
Our first attempt at the heli-hike planned for 0900hrs was cancelled due to poor weather.  So left hanging around hoping the weather improves enough to take flight at 1200hrs.
To fill the time walked around the "mirror lake" and in the middle of town watched what we think were parrots, crossing the road (very strange sight in deed!!)
Unfortunately, the weather did not improved and we had to down grade from heli-hike to foot-hike onto the glacier.  However it was still awesome and unbelieveable to be walking on a glacier in the middle of rain storm.

Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers

Hello to you all

We survived the night you will be pleased to read and hear.

Moved onto the glaciers of the West Coast, arriving at Franz Josef first, where we hiked to view the glacier a 3hr round trip.  It was awesome and amazing to see this glacier in the middle of a tropical landscape.  Can not wait for our Heli-hike tomorrow at Fox Glacier, weather permitting (everything is crossed!!) as rain is forecast that may prevent the helicopter flying.

Greymouth

Hello to one and all

Prior our brewery tour we spent the morning whitebait fishing with a local lady we met down at the rivers edge.  Unfortunately, we did not really help her fishing effort, managing to only spot one lonely whitebait to add to her caught!!!

The brewery tour around the Monteiths NZ brewery was great especially with the end tasting of nine beers and one cider.  Can not believe it that this brewery that supplies NZ, America and the UK only has seven full time employees, you have to work hard over here to earn a beer.

The tour was finished with the opportunity to pour your own pint and a fantastic fish and chip meal out of a newspaper wrapping, at a local takeaway recommended by the tour guide.

Moved onto Hokitika about 50km along the coast, a town that was built on the old gold mining days.

Our day ended at a tiny place called "Hari Hari" where we camped for the night, if you remember "Bate's" Hotel this could be our last blog, if you know what we mean!!  It is a one bar town where you leave your "gunnies" at the door and just a little scary.

greymonth

Hi to everyone following

In Greymouth on the west coast and out for dinner with Natalie getting a taste for stone grill meals.

NEWS FLASH:  McDonalds NZ do not sell McFlurrys, what has the world come too!!!

Of to plan our brewery tour of NZ beers see you after that.

Hanmer Springs

Hello Guys

At Hanmer Springs we spent that day relaxing in the hot natural springs and pools that range in temperature from 29 to 40 degrees.
Again the day started with lovely clear blue skies and what a great way to start at day in the sunny in the middle of a forest, with hardly anyone else around.

Moved on from here to travel over to the West Coast and that of Greymonth to book into a brewery tour and some NZ beer tasting!! It would be rude not too as we have travelled all this way to NZ.

PS:  Happy Birthday to Phil and Freda our lucky neighbours, have a great day and evening, don't miss us too much. xxxxx

PS:  Miles enjoy big school and Clare he is growing up fast and is a credit to you. xx

Kaikoura

Add caption

Hi everyone

Whale watching day has arrived and we woke to a gorgerous day of clear blue skies and not a cloud to been seen, a prefer day for whale watching, if there is one.
Saw three sperm whales and took loads of photos to prove it, they were awesome sights to been seen in their natural environment.
Natalie this time around did feel the effects of the calm seas and lost some colour on the boat, but at least not her breakfast.
Spent the afternoon at the coast taking in the seal colony along the rough coast line, fantastic views all with snow capped mountains around us.  The South Island is so vast, huge and quiet did not know what all the Kiwi do as you never see them out at night.
Moved onto Hanmer Springs so we could spend a day relaxing at the hot springs and pools as all this travel is so  much like hard work.
Again spent the evening in a bar on arrival at Hanmer Springs.

Wellington to Picton

Hi followers

0600am start and it was freezing first thing, up so early to make the ferry crossing from Wellington (North Island) over to Picton (South Island).
The crossing was smooth and it must have been as Natalie was not sea sick, the views on arriving at Picton were awesome (a NZ saying).  It was so lush, vast and amazing as we arrived into the port of Picton for the start of our South Island trip.
Drove to Blenhiem where we stopped for a walk around and a spot of lunch in a supermarket carpark, that was luxury for us!!!  And must remember to check out the "bakery store" again if we see on, so many free samples on offer, we nearly did not need any lunch.
Travelled onto Kaikoura for our Whale Watching trip planned for the morning.  Camperd at Kaikoura stopping on route to photograph the seal colony along the coast on route.  Spent the evening in a local bar and included in the price of the drinks was a very extremely sticky floor, so Kiwi!!!

Wellington

House Keeping Day

Have you seen my socks?

View from the cable car

Hi Campers

Our journey through the North Island continues today to Wellington, where it comes to an end.  Arrived bright and early after the last 90 km passed swiftly with GILBERT O'SULLIVAN on the radio, which made Natalie's day.  And best of all his song is listed in the top 20 in NZ (that is for everyone at her works especially Jerry).

In Wellington went up the cable car to the Botanic Gardens and the wonderful views over Wellington and wandered around the city, just taking in all the sights.  Caught the ferry tomorrow at 1200hrs over to the South Island for the next stage of our journey.

Napier

Hi followers

Day spent in Napier after our exhausting and fun filled day at the caves.
Wandered, aimlessly around Napier the Art Deco City in NZ, rebuild in this style after being devastated by an earthquake (bit of history for you all).
Laid in the sunshine on the beach, eat large waffle ice creams (again) and drank coffee watching the world go by in the coffee shops.  All with no concept of time or day, what a lovely feeling.
Heading onto Wellington in time to catch our ferry across on Mon 4 Oct 10, to explore the South Island.  All is well with us both.
Have broken the journey to Wellington into comfortable stages and camped in a little place called Levin on the West Coast.

Lazy Days!!!

A friendly comment can you please leave your name on any comments posted to the blog, as we do enjoy reading them.  Thxs.

Kiwi 360

Hi Kiwi

On our road travel down came across the Kiwi 360 and here you do everything possible you can think of with Kiwi fruit!!!  Will leave that to individual minds and thoughts.