Well, a big Kiwi hello to everyone! I'm now a week into my time in NZ and it's fab. Totally different to Oz but still just as great with some very new experiences to be had.....

So on Thursday night, Elizabeth and I went exploring in Christchurch. First stop being somewhere that sold jumpers - how cold is it over here compared to Oz?!! I know that right now it is about 20 degrees warmer than it is for you guys, but man, it's cold!! So we mooched around the Cathedral Square, wandered through the shopping area (where all the shops were shut!) and then found ourselves perusing the tourist tack shops!! And yes, first purchase was an All Blacks fleece, followed by a 'Rugby Girl' sweat top!! We then made our way to a really nice Curry House which was recommended to us and proceeded to stuff our faces! Needless to say we couldn't eat it all - but in true NZ style we got a doggy bag for our leftovers - always important on a backpackers budget!! Dinner for tomorrow sorted!

Friday morning and Elizabeth upped and left early to catch her bus to Wellington. So I stayed in bed for a few hours, before going off exploring myself. I jumped on the tram and went round the whole city loop to get my bearings before getting off back in the square. I decided that first stop should be the Cathedral and in I went. Just in time to watch a wedding!! It was lovely and full of grandeur - how about getting married in a Cathedral - nearly as good as a castle eh??!!!!!!

I then hopped back on the tram down to the Arts Centre where I mooched around all the arty crafty shops and could've spent a fortune - spied a few gifts to purchase later and then back to the square where I watched a street performer - he was great - a guy called Rob from Newcastle, England!! You fly half way round the world to watch fellow English!!! How does that work?!

Anyway, that evening I went for a mooch around the shops again and then went back to the hostel and chatted to my roommates before hitting the sack. Saturday tomorrow and that meant only 1 day to amuse myself before Paul flew in - yay!!!

So Saturday I got up at lunchtime (to comments frommy roommates in broken English about not being very good in the mornings?! - I don't know what they meant!!) and took myself for a lovely coffee at the Daily Grind - recommended in the Lonely Planet - and rightly so! After that I went on my way around the Christchurch walk detailed in the aforementioned LP. It was great. Went to the Floral clock, which was lovely and then made my way to the Art Gallery - some fantastic works of art and some very strange things. Once again, I got asked to put my camera away!! It seems a common theme in my travels - some might say that I'm a little click happy - 400 photos in 3 months - I don't know what they might mean!!! Managed to get a shot of the Dame Louise Henderson Gallery though - just for you Lou!!

Then made my way to the Market at the Arts Centre. Then on my way again, to see the sights. Eventually got back to the hostel, where I heated up my curry from Thursday and then read my magazines wishing that it was time to go to bed so Sunday came quicker!! A good nights sleep awaiting me I climbed into bed. How wrong can a girl be??!! At 1am Paul rings me from Singapore to tell me it's raining - thank you! Just don't bring it with you!! Then at 4am a call from Singi (one of the Scottish guys in Sydney) to tell me he's at the rugby and their winning - yippee!!! Now let me sleep!!

Anyway, eventually Sunday came and I got myself packed up and all ready to check into a lovely hotel, the Rydges. Thank you Paul - heaven after the hostels!! So went for a beer and then made my way to the airport. Paul texts me to say he's in the arrivals hall and he'd see me soon. Hmmmmmmm!! Fatal last text!! Next thing I get a text saying he's the only person at the belt and he has no luggage!! It could only happen to him!! So we eventually made our way to the hotel, minus Pauls bag containing my much awaited trainers and fleece!! The trauma!! So we went for a beer and a general catch u p and then to the hotel to check in.

At 6pm I let Paul have an hours sleep, only he looked so tired, that I actually let him have 15 hours sleep and woke him in the morning!! We got up still a bit bleary eyed, and went shopping to buy some clothes for Paul and trainers for me. Emirates were, let's say, a little vague on the subject of his lost luggage, so much so, that they wouldn't even call him!! We ended up calling mum to trace it but still had no joy - no one knew where it was. We were facing the prospect of travelling round NZ without Pauls bag - not good. Anyway, not letting it ruin our time, we went on the tram round the city, popped to the Arts Centre and purchased a few gifts and then to the Gondola for the incredible views. Well worth it and even a little trip to Lyttleton for added effect!! Back to the internet cafe for a mammoth task of booking our accommodation for our flying tour of NZ. The car was turning up at 10am tomorrow so we needed to confirm we could stay where we planned. So we got everything booked, except our 2nd night in Queenstown and Taupo...so we went and asked the lovely lady in the Adventure Centre if she could help. We left here with that task, and went off to dinner at Dux de Lux - wow! I might just add that in freshening up at the hotel, Paul found his long lost love awaiting his return - yes! His bag had been delivered to the room!! The smile it received was priceless!

We had the most fantastic meal. Highly recommended in LP and highly recommended by me!! We ate and then ran back to the adventure centre to find that the lady had managed to find us accommodation and booked it for us - what a star!!

So to bed, for a full day of driving was ahead of us. The car arrived at 10am and we made our way out of Christchurch towards Queenstown. Paul was driving and obviously didn't trust map reading skills, and got us lost within 10 minutes!! Humble pie he did eat!!

So we got on the RIGHT road, and drove, and drove, and drove. 6 hours later, very hungry and tired, we arrived in Queenstown. We checked in and asked where to eat. We were pointed into town, and ended up in the World Bar - nice food, just very tired. We agreed to go back, have a quick sleep and then go out for a major drink as we had no driving to do the next day. Good idea in theory. Except that Paul fell asleep (I guess I have to let him off as he must still have been suffering with the jetlag) and so I then got into my bed and fell asleep. Next thing I know it's 8am and it's time to get up for an action packed day!!

So Paul was hoping to Skydive today but the weather was awful - no jumping today. So instead, we headed into town for brekkie, and then up to the Gondola, for the views. And the Luge!! What's the luge I hear you ask? Well, it's like go-karting downhill! And it's great fun. Kept us occupied for an hour or so, before heading back into town for our first adrenaline pumping activity. Yes we booked to go White Water Rafting. And I loved it!! Paul had done it before but it is something I have always fancied doing but never done. Now I have. A bit scary but not as bad as I thought it would be. A great afternoon.

We have just been for dinner at the Lone Star - and we ate way too much!! We both feel sick and have decided to bin the idea of going drinking as we are getting up early tomorrow to drive to the Fox Glacier where we are for 2 nights, and participating in a HeliHike.....

And if you want to know what that is, you'll just have to watch this space over the next few days for an update!! Sorry!!

Love to you all
Hels (and Paul, WITH his bag!!)

xx