We all awoke at 06:45 to the sounds of the ships engines getting us underway and Skipper Ray announcing that we had had a snowy late spring night! In fact it snowed pretty much all day. As great as this looked and sounds, snow wasn't on our (clothing) itinerary & we spent most of the day fairly cold and looking enviously at others with full winter gear. Ah, the joys of traveling light! Though obviously this made for some magnifcent sights! After a cooked and continental breakfasts we once again headed for the ships bridge. Which to our surprise yesterday is open to all and offers the best viewing location. Today we managed to see a dozen or so dolphins heading out to see to feed, but the main attraction being the fiord itself, this time ... read more

Awoke at 05:10 to the very loud banging on the door by a big burly security guard from the town council, to be told that we couldn't camp overnight! Okay so we saw the signs but having seen others over the last week or so doing the same we had decided to take the risk! After a brief snooze we headed back into town for a walk along the beachfront and to suss out a Doubtful Sound Cruise for tomorrow. Before heading of for Te Anue we decided to visit Puzzleworld with it's 3D maze and Hall of Illusions! We got around in 35 minutes just missing half hour mark by a turn or two (normally takes 30 - 60 minutes, average 45!). The Hall of Illusions was a great laugh as we saw water and ... read more

Rain, rain and more rain! Woke to find out that the van has a slight defect, it LEAKS! The foot of our bed managed to get drenched in the very heavy rain that came in overnight! Headed in to Hokitika to get a roll of Duct Tape and to visit a Jade Factory / shop. Having sealed the van against further downpours we set off for the three hour trip to "Fox Glacier" having decided to skip "Franz Joseph" for the quieter town and less touristy glacier. Also added to the equation is the relationship my Grand parents have with Foxes Glaciers! Fortunately the weather picked up as we were approaching Fox to end the afternoon in full sunshine. Having booked ourselves into a site and onto a trip up the Glacier tomorrow we decided to ... read more

Sun, Sun, Sun! Charlie went for another run leaving me to the chores yet again! Today we bid a farewell to the North Island and sailed across to the South Island on the Wellington to Picton Ferry! Before our early afternoon crossing we ventured to Porirua & Titahi Bay for a look around, walk and grocery shop. What a beautiful little place, very quaint bay, well worth the visit! The crossing between the islands was very scenic, especially the section going through the Marlborough Sounds! From Picton we headed along Highway 1 (the Kiwi's have a good sense of humour - this is a single lane road) to our first destination Kiakoura where we hope to be swimming with Dolphins before noon tomorrow! The 2.5 hour journey supplied us with the best views so far! The ... read more

Awoke to brilliant sunshine. Needed sunscreen for the first time in NZ! Charlie once again left me with the chores and went for another 45 minute costal run! After breakfast we headed into Napier for a visit to "Opossum World", which is basically an excuse to sell Possum fur products! Had a brief shopping trip where Charlie bought herself a bargain ring and I trusted my barnet to a Man Utd barber! Left sunny Napier with a little regret as it seemed a really cool place, and headed for (what turned out to be a very windy and cold) Wellington! The trip of 300 Km with a stop for lunch around took 4.5 hours to make, with high winds. But what a trip up and over another mountain range (no mention of names for any of ... read more