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Published: July 15th 2009
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SO...
After our leap of faith on the Nevis Arc Swing in Queenstown, and a large Fergburger (Famous burger in NZ and totally delicious), we headed to Milford Sound, further down the west coast. We stopped nearby and free camped at Gunn Camp. Had a quick mooch around Milford but didnt journey out on the boats to view the fiords. Scenery all through Milford has continued to be amazing and changes with every corner from snow capped mountains to rolling hills, oceans and bays to steep gorges where you see mountains at every angle. Sorry to go on, but seriously, me and Don are continually impressed by it. We drove to Invacargill on the south coast via the south scenic highway, stopping off to stretch our legs at waterfalls and scenic lookouts. After a night in Invercargill we drove to Bluff where Don sampled their famous oysters. Followed the coastal road to Porpoise bay where we hoped to see dolphins and penguins but no luck im afraid. Continued onto Dunedin. Dunedin is the NZ home for Cadbury!! So we took a factory tour... whoop whoop!! It was really cool and I was in heaven. We were given choc the whole
time. I havent mentioned choc to you people at home and thats because its just not the same here!! In Oz, they have altered the choc to cope with the heat so it doesnt taste as good 😞 and they keep it in the fridge! Well I never... Also, Cadbury have so many different fillings over here: marshmellow, rocky road, black forest, tiramisu, creme brulee - - I'll be having strong words back home believe me!! Enough about chocolate...
Went to the Settlers Museum in Dunedin also, which was interesting. Again, lots of English claiming land as their own and being general idiots leaving the indigenious people to struggle. Go England!
Drove up the east coast, stopping at Mouraki to look at the boulders on the beach, which were similiar to devils marbles in Oz. Also stopped at a few rock painting sites before heading to Omarara... not an intentional stop but much needed as we coudnt go any further. The road ahead was closed due to snowfall. It begun snowing in the early afternoon and by 5pm there was 4 inches! Had a great time messing around in the snow (snow angels and a snowman that went wrong so
was adapted into a penis, sorry folks) - seeing as though I missed the UK's this year! Got chatting to 2 kiwi lads who gave us some surprisingly nice home brewed bourbon and black sambuca! So bit of a weird day really. They didnt reopen the road until midday but even then we only managed to get as far as Wanaka as another road ahead was closed. Drama drama drama.
YEY!! Another road opened!! Attatched snow chains to the wheels and off we went. Most of the road was fine but one stretch very slippy even with chains. Got to Fox Glacier and in the morning we layered ourselves up and attatched crampons to our boots and headed onto the glacier. It was so cool! (excuse the pun) Our guide was pretty cool. He ice-picked his way over the crevasses and holes and made make shifts steps where it was too difficult to walk. We saw small lakes, ice caves and holes and generally had a kick-ass time. Obviously, we didnt stay upright at all times and both have a few ice-bruises!! It was a long day though, about 6hrs walking so pretty knackered by the end.
A long drive
monday from fox to Abel Tasmin National Park and another night camped on the roadside. No parking ticket whoop whoop! Tuesday we did a 4 hour walk along the coast of the park and then caught a water taxi back to start. Very beautiful views but didnt get to see alot of it as booked the taxi before we left so were on a deadline to catch it! Wednesday we mooched around the not so happening Nelson and then went back to Abel Tasmin to meet Charlotte, my Cairns roomie for the night. It wsas really cool to catch up with her.
Thursday we went to Blenheim and stayed the night ready to hit the wine trail in the morning. We went to 5 wineries and had a lovely day. The Malborough region specialises in Chardonnay, Dry Reisling, Sauv Blanc, Pinot Gris (Grigio), Gewurtzminer (may have spelt that wrong!!) and Pinot Noir. All bloody lovely! Took a few bottles to fill our van of course...
Took ferry back to Wellington - very calm crossing this time luckily. So mow we've got two weeks back in the north island and lots of fun stuff on the agenda so will blog again
soon.
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