After leaving Moeraki I travelles to Twizel which is a small town on a lake about an hours drive from Mt Cook. It is a fair sized lake and they were holding rowing trials on it the day I arrived apparently a regatta is due this weekend. Following day I visited Mt Cook and all it's glory, in the information centre they had some photos of people climbing at the beginning of the century it's unbelievable he hat they climber in, in those days. Needless to say the mountain every in the hot summer we are having is still snow capped which makes for some nice photos. The lake as you approach Mt Cook is the most amazing colour of blue I think caused by the minerals in the water. Spent most of the day walking ... read more

Woke up this morning to hear the pitter patter of rain!!!! I had already booked to go to Stewart Island so despite the rain and the fact it was really cold I set off to Bluff just outside Invercargill to catch the ferry to Stewart Island. The journey takes about an hour and it was quite rough on the way there. One or two people looked a bit pale but it was ok. Arrived at Stewart Island still raining, but every now and then it would stop so I managed a feshort walks in between the showers. Decided to take the bus tour as it seemed a better option than getting soaked and cold all day. The driver was very informative and told us that there are four hundred full time resident on the island which ... read more

Arrived in Queenstown, picked up the hire car and headed into town. It was Waitangi Day a national holiday and the cloud gradually cleared from the lake and presented us with a beautiful warm day. The town is on the edge of a huge lsmall the town is compact so it's easy to get around but I believe this is the Mecca for the adrenalin junkies so I don't really know what I am doing here!!!! Plenty to do, bungy, jet boats, zip wires, paragliding, skydiving the list goes on,actually when I think about it I have done some of these things so perhaps I am in the right place. Decided to book a trip to Milford Sound as its a fairly long journey and driving would have been quite tiring and expensive in fuel. The ... read more

Had to be done, lovely magical Maketu, just had to go back again, it's not the most beautiful beach I have seen but the whole place has such a great atmosphere, it's like something from the sixties, everything is very laid back, relaxed and frankly wonderful. It's difficult to explain really but the place just has a really lovely feel to it. Only managed to stay for one night but my cabin was right on the beach, so was able to lie on the bed listen to the sea and watch the sun go down and the full moon rise. Just a perfect evening. Bliss. Next day on the road to Ohope a much bigger town than I was expecting but nice, a harbour and lovely beach. from there headed towards Gisborne once again a biggish ... read more

Arrived here a couple of stays a ago, found a lovely campsite just outside Pahia which is situated near the river, a lovely situation. The first day I visited the Waitangi treaty grounds where the treaty was signed between the Maoris and The Europeans hopefully to the benefit of both communities. A celebration is held here every year on the 6th February and the Maoris come in their waka's (traditional canoes) which are quite something to see. made from massive kauri trees and hollowed out to make the canoe. Apparently before the trees are felled they strip the bark from one side so that it begins to decay and makes it easier to hollow out. The canoes are huge and can carry the rowers, food and family. The treaty house has been made in to a ... read more