Arrived Queenstown at approx 3:30 pm We'd luckily got the earlier bus out of Te Anau so we had plenty of time to arrange the next days adventures. We duly booked the 'Skippers Canyon Jet Boat Safari' for the morning leaving us the afternoon free in case the weatther cleared and we fancied a scenic flight over Milford Sound. Having done all that we wandered through Queenstown until a little known, but highly recommended restaurant caled 'The Bunker' opened at 6 pm (thanks to Josie Frosell for the tip). We arrived in time to make a booking for 6:30 so as we had half an hour to kill we made our way upstairs to the cocktail bar where Chris (from Pembury, Kent) was waiting to serve us. One splendid G&T later we made our way down ... read more

Where was I? oh yes, waiting for the bus... We'd checked earlier with the information desk that our bus left from out the railway station with a somewhat distracted young lady. The coach was due to leave at @13:55 so when, at 13:50, there was still no sign we went back inside to double check. "oh" said the lady, "that coach doesn't leave from here, it goes from the depot 10 minutes from here" PANIC!!!! Having ascertained which direction the coach depot was we raced outside to try and find it but to no avail. We then saw a window cleaner so we ran up to him and asked him if he knew the way. Now I'm not taking the micky or making light of the situation but the one person who you don't want to ... read more

So fuzzy head has cleared and silver linings to the cloud have been found: 1. Leicester Tigers get their players back sooner rather than later and it looks like we need them. 2. I can go to the remaining games without the gut wrenching worry (sad, I know) Now packed for the epic 2nd leg of our journey and we will be down to 2 as John Hanlon (otherwise known as Friar Tuck or Father Jack) is flying back to the uk on Thursday. 9:30 am flight tomorrow to Dunedin and then a coach trip to Te Anau. Overnight there and then overnight cruise on Doubtful Sound. Next fly to Milford Sound, afternoon cruise then fly to Queenstown. Eventually back to Auckland on Saturday morning ready for Wales v France (big question is who to support, ... read more

Having escaped being dissolved in the acid (by the whinging scots - still!) we continued being guided around the crater and the old sulphur factory where we were told about the landslide in 1914 which wiped out all the miners. Everybody checked their safety helmets! Back on board the boat it was a snack lunch, a quick sail round the island, then back to Whakatane. A brilliant trip! We returned to Papamoa beach via a couple of jugs of speights then enjoyed the hospitality of our hosts again. The next day we left for the Coromandel Peninsular via the fruit packing co-operative which is run by one of our hosts. It was fascinating to see advocados & kiwi fruit being sorted and packed. Then onto the Peninsula first stop Whangamata, where lunch was a very reasonable ... read more

...where was I? Oh yes "Craters of the Moon" Lots of steamy holes and weird smells basically! Then onto Rotorua where we were staying for Tuesday night. First stop Te Puia, Te Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley. Yes, more steamy holes (but bigger and very muddy) and more weird smells (but much, much smellier!) Rotten sulphurous eggs pervades the air and not just in the Thermal valley. After we completed the tour (and very good it was too) we carried on into Rotorua to find our hotel. Nice place but as soon as you opened the window it wasn't fresh air that came flooding in. They say you get used to it! Tha night was spent sipping a few quality beers at a place called Craft Ales. Then an excellent steak before returning to the pub just to ... read more