So we are now in Aussie, due to everything that happend it is hard to set our brain back to holiday mode. Here on the outside everything is normal. our heads are still in earth quake survival mode. Every time we see an open shop, selling water we get surprised. We ended up staying in a knocking shop in the central of Melbourne, recommended by the airport information!. We got seperate dorms, sleeping in bunk beds, in 45 degrees heat, shared with 3 teenage strangers. The party and the noise was never ending. All we wanted was sleep and rest, we checked out after 2 nights, half dead. We had not slept, eaten or drank much water for the 4 days during and after the earth quake. We took a long walk to the next place ... read more

We are in Melbourne now, safe in the city, surrounded by people who never where effected, we have had very limited sleep and i feel completely exhausted and very dirty. after the big shake we ran to take cover in a park. we took some notes threw these days. 22 Feb around 13,00 we have been in an earthquake! it was so horrible i just want to cry, me and Richard were in the store, mountain designs on Colombo street trying out climbing shoes. the hole store started shaking and shelves were falling over, the strong loud sound were over welding, the floor is moving, you loose your balance, you are flying all over the floor out of control, feeling seasick. we ran in to the dressing rooms to avoid things or the actual roof falling ... read more

WE WRITTEN THIS 2 DAYS BEFORE THE CHRISTCHURCH EARTHQUAKE So after a long drive we arrived in Arthurs pass at 925 metres altitude, we parked in the Doc hut campsite and watched the heavy rain splash off the wind screen, it looked like our planned treks in the surrounding mountains would be a wash out!!!!! In the morning we awoke to the shrill of the Mountain parrots called Kea. There are warning signs about these little fellas everywhere as they are the bird equilivent to a young teenager that has just discovered strong cider (white lightning). They trash everything! biting car wheels, eating their way through tents, picking out window seals, and agrivating everybody in the tea shop!!! we want one! So after getting our hands on a map and asking the local people for ... read more

finally we arrived in Franz josepth Glacier region, the village itself is very small and dominated by businesses offering guiding up onto the glacier or to have a helicopter ride and land higher up on the glacier. This are all business offering the best expieriences money can buy. we parked the car, i chose to park the car on the only available parking that was on the opposite side of the road. I was immediatley told off by the police for parking facing the wrong way as it may confuse tourists as to which direction to drive????? We collected some info on the glacier and set off walking to it. Obviously carrying all the survival equipment listed on the info sheet. While we were walking through the bush (again) and then we set our eyes on ... read more

We arrived in Picton South island on the last ferry off the day so we had pre arranged a hostel in Picton. The ferry crossing was very rough but we where rewarded with some stunning views and a great sunset, we had earlier planned to do the Queen charlotte track the next day but opted not to due to the fact that we had seen most of Marlbrough sounds on the way in. Also the fact that it is another one way track that first you have to pay for a hut pass then you must arrange and pay a water taxi to pick you up from the other end, this is becoming the norm on the money making "great walks" we are growing tired of this and now avoid these over rated things at all ... read more