We drove from Invercargill to Dunedin via the Catlins (with a detour to Bluff on the way, which was very cold and windy and the girls wouldn‘t get out the car so we didn‘t hang around). Our hotel in Te Anau said it was worth the trip instead of staying on the highway. And it was!! We stopped at Slope Point which is the southern most point of the south Island. It was incredibly windy and we had to walk through a field of sheep but we can say we have been from North to South of both Islands now. We [View Full Entry]

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Well I liked the place, Chloe said she thought it was dirty just like the UK. We were only there for the night so our view of the place was quite brief. We spent the afternoon in Queens park. It was very funny watching the girls running around after the ducklings trying to pick them up. Chloe was thier hero for saving one that got trapped in some drain thingy and couldn't work out how to get back out. There is also an aviary, small animal area with deers, sheep, wallaby's, guinea pigs, rabbits and some other small furry things. The [View Full Entry]

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WOW, what a place. Everyone was happy because we got to see some penguins, I was happy because we went in a coach and I didn't have to drive. Although the Penguins were pretty cool. We also saw some seals and a dolphin. After having been there I know want to go to Scandanavia and see more fjords. What else can I say other than it is fantastic and you should all go there at some point. We were lucky because it rains on average 200 days a year and approx. 15 feet. They were in a drought, according to the [View Full Entry]

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We had been told by a friend that this place existed. He wanted us to prove that it wasn't an urban myth!!!!!!!!!!!!!! [View Full Entry]

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We have spent 2 lovely days at Wanaka. we had an amazing drive from Franz Josef, past the Fox Glacier which I think was even more impressive than Franz.... and then on through Haas past the lakes to Wanaka. Wanaka is Lovely, very quiet, but I think that may be the time of year, as in Summer the tourists can outnumber the locals 4 to 1..... The town is nestled in a valley that was carved out by glaciers, sat by a huge lake. yesterday we went to Stuart Landsborough's Puzzleworld.Which is fantastic, we highly recommend it if you are in [View Full Entry]

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We arrived and found a great cheap backpackers/motel called Chateau Franz. Then were holed up in our room for the rest of the day watching videos because it was chucking it down. Which apparently it does 260 days of the year, on average. We went out for dinner to a place that had a Halloween party on. Only to find that it didn't start till 10pm. The girls were a little disappointed that they didn't get to go trick or treating. Whilst sitting in the restaurant we say a place opposite that did flights over the glacier. After much discussion and [View Full Entry]

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We left the warm bubble of Blenheim travelling west to Punakaiki, the pancake rocks. Driving out of Blenheim on the 63 toward St. Arnaud you drive past the Richmond range and copious vineyards. Chloe wanted to drive, as she hasn’t done a lot in the 3000 or so km’s that we have driven so far. My luck was in because it was a day of the best scenery I have been lucky enough to witness in my entire life. Slartyblartfast would be very proud of it, heathens who don’t know who he is should read some Douglas Adams. There are parts [View Full Entry]

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Hello All! We are now in the South Island. We spent a night in Picton after the ferry crossing, which was very bumpy as we crossed the Cook Straight. But once into the Islands it was incredible. The mountains are what can only described as majestic and the sea was almost turquoise. Picton is a lovely quiet little town, not what you would expect for a main port. The girls had a play at the playground and we tried not to get blown away. The next day we went to Blenheim. Which is the heart of wine country. Apparently it is [View Full Entry]

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Well we left Waikanae with bad heads from a very entertaining two nights with friends of friends. Far too much mead was consumed but we had a very entertaing time on MSN messenger with contributions from Seattle and the UK.Our hosts seem to enjoy the sillyness. We did immensely and we very glad of the homely atmosphere as a break from motel rooms.We got on the road after watching the English rugby team get beaten by the Springboks. I'm not a rugby fan but thought it a good game. Oh well at least we got to the final.We spent the Next [View Full Entry]

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We went to the Zorb centre with arguments in the car from Ellie about who was going to do what in what Zorb ball etc. We went in to the reception area to find out what the damage would be and what was on offer. We were told that they were only doing water ones and that the kids ball had been wrecked by some kids recently and they couldn’t afford to fix it. Not that Aisha wanted to have a go. We watched a couple come down and I was still not entirely convinced. It then very kindly started to [View Full Entry]

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