The first thing you will notice about this blog title is that I thought about it in the same train of thought that I thought of the Fox Glacier one. The second thing is the use of the world sound to mean good. I hasten to add, this is not part of my usual vocabulary, but it did seem appropriate in this instance. I went from Queenstown to Milford Sound with a company known as Eco-Tours. Why don't you try and guess why I chose them above the myriad of other companies that run buses there. While you're thinking, I'll just ramble on about how while most companies leave Queenstown at 6.30am, Eco Tours leave at 8.30am. Anyway, welcome back thinkers, did you guess the reason yet? The first couple of hours between Queenstown and Te ... read more

The journey between Nelson and Franz Josef is a painstaking 9 hour trip in a minivan. Quite ridiculous really, that New Zealand is considered a developed country, yet every single South American country I got a bus in (and yes this includes Bolivia) the bus service was much better, and more comfortable. Something to work on for our kiwi friends methinks. Not much to report on the journey, apart from the stop we made at Punaikaiki, which left just enough time for a gander at the pancake rocks, so called because they're formed in layers and look a bit like... pancakes. Who'd have thought? I arrived in Franz Josef, and tried to book myself onto a glacier walk on the glacier of the same name the next day. Unfortunately, my luck wasn't in, as the trip ... read more

The 3 hour ferry crossing between Wellington on the North Island and Picton on the south is a very pleasant experience. Especially the last half hour or so, when the boat ventures into Queen Charlotte Sound. I enjoyed it so much, I decided I'd stay a night in Picton for a bit of a mosey around, rather than scoot straight off on a bus elsewhere like 90% of people from the ferry (official statistic folks). So, that required finding a hostel. Potentially a tricky task, made easy by one simple bit of advertising. The Villa was offering (and I quote) "Free apple crumble every night". Suddenly, there was no decision to be made, I left my stuff and went for a walk. Actually, first I went to the supermarket to get a packet of crisps, then ... read more

I can see your puzzled faces now blog fans. "But Stewart" I hear you cry. "You said you were going to Wellington". Fear not devotees, I did indeed go to Wellington, whereupon I met up with Rob. You may remember Rob from such blog entries as "Rod Stewart, the famous singer from the 80's" and "Who spilt the salt". He put me up for the night, then being as he had an exam to be revising for, said I could borrow his car, and go off to explore some more of the North Island for a couple of days. So I did. Wanganui First stop for this adventure within an adventure was the town of Wanganui on the west coat of New Zealand. I came here, as Lonely Planet advertises the Wanganui River Road as being ... read more

Before any representitives of Rotorua's tourist agency try and sue me for libel, the title is of course a reference to the rather overpowering sulphurous smell that lurks around Rotorua, and is not me taking a cheapshot at the town, which I actually thought was a rather pleasant place. However, like Auckland, Rotorua didn't get off to a flyer with me, through no fault of its own. You see, back in Auckland, the same chap that had been trying to sell me the bus ticket had recommended me a hostel there when I said I'd be doing my own thing. As he'd been very helpful, I didn't have the heart to say no, and let him get on reserving it for me. When I turned up, it was miles out of town, expensive and filled with ... read more