We left Queenstown (which we weren’t keen on – very touristy) this
morning and drove the short distance North to Wanaka.

We sorted out our campsite for tonight and then headed our for a
scenic picnic looking out at the beautiful snowy mountains, pretty
idyllic.

The afternoon was spent firstly at a place called Have a Shot where
you can clay pigeon shoot, hit golf balls, have a go at archery, shoot
rifles etc. We both did the archery and then Ben shot the rifle and
did very well – we have his best target to prove it (see photo).

After that was a microbrewery to taste some beers which were
delicious. Then to Puzzle World for a museum of optical illusions and
a huge maze which thankfully we found our way out of…eventually.

Tonight we’re going to treat ourselves to a curry and a pint of the
beer we tasted earlier.

Wanaka is really nice so we’ll stick around for a couple of days we
think. The weather is even good! Maybe a walk tomorrow.

Arrived in Queenstown early so had time to have a quick wander around
and grab lunch before heading over to the Shotover Jet boat.
Essentially it’s a scaled up jetski that carries 14 passengers and
flies through canyons at breakneck speed interspersed with 360 degree
spins. We managed to get front row seats with Jen at the edge. It was
amazing how close the driver got to the rocks and people’s screams
only made him get closer!

Then it was off to watch people bungy over the Kawaru river. Most
people leapt straight off but a couple needed some pursasion before
they went. Pretty funny but we decided to pass as we’re saving money
for something a little bigger.

From rainy Christchurch we drove further South to perhaps even
rainier Dunedin for a stop-over before heading West. We did have time
for some bargain fish & chips though – NZ$5.60 which is about £2.50
between the 2 of us for a lot of food! Crazy. Also popped into the
fantastic railway station before we left early the next morning.

The drive West to Te Anau was broken up by a stop for lunch in Lumsden
which we had to stop in cos Lumsden is Robyn & Ken’s surname and they
haven’t been there. Further West the mountains got bigger and snowier
and the sun finally came out.

With a base in Te Anau we drove this morning (Saturday) the 2 hours to
Milford Sound through a magnificent pass where we went on a 2 hour
cruise – see Ben enjoying the sun in front of Mitre Point in the photo.

We sailed through Milford Sound, past the Cleddau River which feeds
it, past Mount Pembroke and out to the sea at St Ann’s Point. Can you
guess where the 1st European to find the fiord came from? Correct –
Milford Haven in Pembs, good old South West Wales. Wierd.

After more warming fish & chips tonight, we’re up early again tomorrow
to go to Queenstown.

Currently in Christcurch which although very wet is also very nice. We
are about to embark on a few walking tours through the city so
hopefully we will catch all the main sights.

The photo below is the best we could take of what we managed to get on
our proper camera when we went whale watching in Kaikoura yesterday
morning. We saw 4 sperm whales, a large school of dusky dolphins and
some massive albatroses (think that’s the plural!). All this with a
backdrop of snowy mountains and beautiful blue sky.

It really was well worth it and was a great relief after having our
previous night’s star gazing cancelled after a big storm came through.
A few people on the boat got seasick but Ben’s new pills seemed to do
the trick for him.

The weather outlook is slightly better though now we are getting
further south the temperature is quickly dropping away. Thank god for
our thermals and fan heater (and of course the numerous bottles of
wine we have bought along the way!!)