We have arrived on the South Island of New Zealand and already it is more picturesque (i've been told my spelling is terrible by a Mr Gibbens so i will try my best, sorry Gibby)
The North Island was great and we did some fab things but it all felt a bit like home but with more of a scutter element than expected.
We went to this one place called Rotorua, it had loads of stuff to do and was, like most of the north island, volcanic, so it smelt ofsulphur and had steam everywhere. Not wishing to be offensive to anyone but it felt like i was in Rochdale town centre and loads of people had left their kettles on.....not the nicest of places.
The problem with New Zealand (The North Island) is that the people dont seem the most cultured and what culture they do have is through their Maori heritage which the "less indigenous" folk seem to resent half the time. Classic camper said to me, "Ya cant camp anywere new as the Maoris hive got the land bick"...mmmmmmmmm interesting people.
So i'm definately beginning to wish we had spent those few weeks more in South America and not have hot footed it to the North Island so quick, there was something exciting and more passionate about the Latin Americans compared to the Kiwis, however you live and learn and i'm already mentally planning a trip back to Argentina.
DONT GET ME WRONG we have had some fab times in the North Island just not as fab as we'd thought.
A few apologies from me.......
Mum, soz i've not called or emailed or msn slight problem with time difference and internet facilities here. We are 11hours ahead, so when i want to call you in the morning we are normally packing up and moving on and at night we're asleep. Internet is few and far between, especially now on the South Island, nothing for miles and miles.....we can text but DO NOT CALL THE MOBLIE unless it is an emergency as it saps our credit and if we're caught short out here we cant call for help (it's pay as u go).
.We went to a farm show in Rochdale (i mean Rotorua) and i fed a lamb which was very cool, we also went on this luge track where me and Stu behaved like utter kids and had a great time.
We have also climbed Mount Doom, (you cant swing a kiwi without touching, sniffing and tasting Lord of the Rings) which was very difficult as it is all ash and shale, down was a bit easier.
I am collecting a few trinkets for Abby 9lord of the rings nutter) and Kane, however i have not been able to find Orlando Bloom for the collection which is a great shame.
We also weent to see King Kong on a rainy day in Wellington (they love Peter Jackson here) and then we went to see the boat which they did some filming on, that was pretty cool.
It seems like only a few of you still realise i have lost my address book, please please please email me birthdays, addresses, phone numbers etc i need to send postcards and emails........
Well gonna leave ya, we're going to organise a Hiking trip (about 4 days) and then some Kayaking and camping (a bit more outdoorsie in the South Island), Take care
Happy Birthday to:-
Same (old giffer,but lovely all the same xxx)
Yvette the big 30, have a good one and make sure that brother of mine spoils you.
And a Happy Valentines day to all of you lots of kissesxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Well everthing is going fine.... yes yes, there's been plenty of bad weather but things are certainly looking up!!!
Just have to talk about TODAY. OHHHHH WOW!
ok.
We start the day off nice and early at 7am... a bit chilly and have a nice little campsite breaky. Then we went hiking on a glacier... getting up there by helicopter - WOW WOW!!! We crawled through ice caves, wore great gear - like big spikey shoes (crampons i think they're called).... The sceanery was stunning. And it looks as though Caz has got flying by helicopter all under control... I reckon she even loved it today! Especially where we got so close to the mountain we thought we were going to collide with it!
......... then after that amazing morning.... when the adrenaline was lurking in the blood stream...... I plucked up the courage (with lots of help form caz)..... to ............ oh yes....... to SKYDIVE!
oh yes. No baby shy dive either.
12,000 feet. 42 seconds FREEFALL tandem JUMP.
Utterly blew my mind. The most terrifiying thing ever on the way up... tiny little plane... just 2 of us jumping..... 12,000 feet and they disapeared out the door.... It was my turn!
upside down.
saw the plane disappear off into the distance.... then we were, well, falling at 120 mph!
UTTERLY AMAZING.
and - I bought the DVD of it all...... from me terrified on the ground to total elation all caputured for my (and your) viewing pleasure. but cant put any of it on the website, or any of the pics I took because this sh**e computer wont let me!
So as soon as I can, I'll put loads of pics up from NZ. And Mam - promise I won't do it again. For a few weeks anyway!
Love from us both. And thanks for the messages - they really do keep us going....
Nearly HALFWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!