This morning I awoke to fresh snow, the bus picked me up at 7.25am and we were told our ETA to Cardrona would be around 9.00am.  However as we progressed up the mountain the snow came down and our bus had to pull over to put snow chains on.  We slowly made our way up the alpine mountain pass until we eventually arrived at 9.45am.

I went to pick up my boots, ski's and poles and proceeded to the beginners class.  I had NO idea just how hard it was going to be but I progressed to the lifts (albeit the beginners lifts) and ski'd back down again a couple of times!

The snow was coming down fast and furiously and at times we had zero visibility (which in fact proved to be a blessing in disguise as it meant no-one actually got to see me make an arse of myself... except the instructor).  I have been told however that next time I go skiing I can go to the next level.  Uhm, thank you but I think once was enough!  There were 4 year olds skiing faster than me for heaven sake!!!!!

However I am pleased to inform all that I am back in Queenstown, in one piece, albeit with a throbbing ankle but so pleased that I did it!  And for those who STILL can't believe I did it... I will email you telly tubby proof because I can't upload photo's to the system when using YHA computers!

The bus proceed to pick us up at 6.55am and as we drove out of Queenstown and into the the mountains, the site that greated us was snow capped peaks and lazy clouds, still lying atop the mountains.  It was an absolutely amazing site. 

Two hours later this gave way to an alpine pass which took us through the valley of a thousand waterfalls and due to the recent heavy rainfall the name did not dissapoint!  There were waterfalls everywhere, from the merest trickle to thundering torrents of water.  Snow and beech trees were everywhere.  It was like a magical winter wonderland.

We stopped at The Chasm where I took an amazing video of the water streaming down through the rock formations and then we were off again and through Homers Tunnel heading down to Milford Sound.

We boarded the boat which took us around and we saw more amazing waterfalls and lots of beautiful nature.  The boat took us out to the mouth of Milford where it meets the sea and then back again.  It stopped just next to a huge waterfall where I got soaked but the spray from the waterfall was absolutely invigorating! 

Just as the boat was sailing back to the jetty, the mist came rolling in behind us, hiding everything.  It was perfect timing as we got to see Milford before it rolled in.

A few flakes of snow started to fall as we boarded the bus and then the heavens opened.  300 kilometres later we arrived in a very wet Queenstown.

I hopped out in town and picked up my ski gear (all mismatched... so you can just IMAGINE what I'm going to look like on the slopes tomorrow... like something a polar bear threw up!)

Watch this space for the outcome of my ski adventure!

That's all for now... Bye xxx

It's gay ski week here and you haven't seen so many pretty boys in all your LIFE!

I have had a great day!  Action packed although less action packed than it was intended to be!  I had agreed to go Skydiving today with one of the girls that I met on the bus.  Of course yesterday when I agreed to this madness it was pouring with rain and gale force winds were blowing.  This morning on the other hand.... it was a different story!  Not a cloud in the sky, not a breath of wind and sunshine in all it's glory!  I promptly almost threw up realising that this meant.... I WAS GOING TO HAVE TO BLOODY SKYDIVE!

So the morning started with the first adrenaline rush activity... The Shotover Jet!  We booked it and headed into town where we were told that due to the river flooding and consequently their jetty all canyon trips were cancelled but to come back later.  An hour and a half later... we were speeding through canyons doing 360 degree turns, getting soaked and absolutely LOVING IT!

Next stop skydiving!  Pixie knee trembling, stomach churning, what the hell possessed me to say yes to this activity.  Thankfully the wind started blowing and the clouds rolled in!  The skydive was CANCELLED!  I'm not sure if it started raining or whether it was just the tears of thankfulness rolling down my cheeks and I don't care!  I get to live another day!

Now of course we didn't have an adrenaline pumping activity for the afternoon so off we went to the booking office and the next hour we were in a gondola (cable car to some of you) climbing up to the top of the peak.  Next stop... The Luge!  Little racecars that speed you around a track at the top of a mountain, U Turns and S bends and screaming and laughter and a lot of fun!  But we were sad when we had to come down the mountain again so while walking back into town we decided to do a little bungy trampolining and I can honestly hand on heart, head and arse say that after that wedgy like experience I will NEVER attempt to go bungy jumping!

I'm showered and dressed, sitting with the girls as we update blogs and email friends and then we're all heading into town for a little relaxation and a nice stiff drink!

Tomorrow... Milford Sound (if there are no landslides).  Thursday... Skiing.  Friday... comatose in bedroom!

Laters my little alligators

Here is a brief rundowns of my last few days in New Zealand....

Abel Tasman hiking adventure!  Although magnificent I was horribly unprepared for just how deserted this beautiful part of New Zealand is.  Wearing a long sleeved shirt, jeans and a scarf...doh... it's winter! I headed off on my hiking adventure, only to find it was bloody freezing by the time I disembarked from the water taxi on a lonely desserted beach at Onetahuti (me, myself and I). 

No going back as I waved goodbye to the water taxi and headed up the clifftop path.  By the second mountain (probably a hill to more experienced hikers) I felt like I was dying.  I was the ONLY one on the walk.  I kept thinking what if I fall, there's no mobile reception!  No one will know I'm here.  Eventually there was a sign saying turn right for high tide walk, straight for low tide walk.  It looked like low tide so I headed down only to find bugger, shit, arse, head in hole it was not.  On the up side the water looked fairly shallow (knee height) so not to be daunted I rolled up my jeans, took off my boots and began wading across - by the time I was mid-way across and jeans soaked to my bum the heavens opened and proceeded to soak the top half of me as well.

2 hours later I was sitting on the bus heading back to Nelson soaked from top to toe swearing NEVER to go hiking again!  A hot shower and a cup of soup however had me feeling mildly normal by the time I went to bed that evening.

Greymouth Brewery!  I did the brewery tour with a bunch of girls and guys from my bus.  It was great fun although by the time we had finished eating and drinking more I made the wise choice of heading home and felt that I should save myself for Queenstown!

Franz Josef!  Glacier hike... after Abel Tasman!  NO BLOODY WAY!  Instead.... Bianca and I took the Scenic Heli Flight over the glacier which was absolutely stunning! It landed on top of Fox Glacier and we got to play in the ice/snow where I rather uncermoniously landed on my arse!

I have binned a second day in Franz Josef and am instead heading down to Queenstown a day earlier than anticipated but as there is LOTS more to do down there it seems like a wise choice!  I have even decided to try my hand at skiing... watch this space!

Bye for now, Dxxx

I have just come back from the most exhilirating, amazing day!  I spent it Quad Biking in the mountains of Nelson!  The scenery was stunning!  We took the quad bikes up to the top of the mountain and then hopped on the skywire which runs you across the treetops and then back again! 

After that we went to a lookout point and took photo's of the views, then down to the valley again where we got to race around the track and go through rivers - BRILLIANT, BRILLIANT DAY.

I also met 4 great Irish girls who I am hoping to meet up with again in Franz Josef!

Bye for now!  xxx

What happened.... Flooding, landslides, torrential rain etc.  All roads to Kaikoura.. CLOSED!  So our bus driver decided to go inland via Hamner Springs... Landslides!  CLOSED!   So back we went the whole bus praying that the only other alternative... Lewis Pass would be open... YES!  But with landslide warnings! 

It was a spectacularly long day!  Leaving Christchurch at 07.45am and arriving in Nelson at 6.45pm BUT I have to admit that the scenery was absolutely SPECTACULAR and the sunset coming into Nelson was breathtaking!

Watch this space to see what the rest of the journey holds!

Bye for now! xxx

I am back from my Northern Territory Tour and am hopping back on a plane and heading down to Alice Springs today.  My Northern Territory trip was definitely an eye opener!  I saw lots of wildlife, climbed rocks, swam in rock pools (potentially with crocs) and slept in a tent!  Those of you who know me will know that I just DON'T DO camping!  But I did it and I have another 3 days and 2 nights of it coming up in Alice Springs where I will be going to see Uluru, Kings Canyon and Kata Utja.

Admittedly when I'm camping I do not sleep!  I am lying there with my torch on, flashing it around the tent, petrified of snakes and spiders.  On my last night of camping, there was a brown snake by the toilets (they are deadly), needless to say, I did not go to the toilet that night!!!

After the Red Centre I head up to Cairns for some R&R, during which time I will be going to Daintree and doing a dive in the Great Barrier Reef! 

Well that's all for now! Next update after I have done my Red Centre tour!