Hi everyone, hope ur all ok
we are now in Rotorua but will update you on the events since queenstown.
We left queenstown and headed up to town called Dunedin, we checked out the most photographed building in NZ, the old railway. This town is called the Edinburgh of the south and has alot of scottish influence. we left dunedin the next day for lake tekapo and our first stop was the worlds steepest street - wouldnt like to walk to the top of that everyday! next we stopped at the Maeraki boulders, huge rocks scattered accross the seashore. we then stopped off at mount cook - an awesome sight and the lake was crystal clear! we went to look at the small church of the good shepherd - right on the lake front - their waiting list to get married is over 2 years they said (so sorry sas you will have to wait a while). we had a quiet beer on the lake side and we were staying in a lakefront hostel so we sat out by the lake that night.
it was then off back up to christchurch through the canterbury planes - the largest area of flat land in NZ - a huge contrast to our previous days of travel. we had 2 nights in christchurch so we sorted out alot of stuff for america and went around the town. we had to be up aearly at 6 the following dayfor our shuttle to the train station where we would catch the trans scenic train to Picton to then get the ferry accross to wellington. the train set off at 7am following some lovely scenery before arriving in Picton at half 12. we then got onto the ferry at 1pm for the crossing to wellington. we finally arrived around half 4 into the terminal. got our bags and got the shuttle bus to our hostel. by this time we were both tired out from travelling so we made some tea and headed to bed. the next day in wellington we went to look round 'te Papa' the NZ national museum.
The next day we had a hilly climb out of wellington through the Rimutaka ranges. We stopped off at Tui Brewey where we had a bargain - 3 beers for $2 and a free glass! we arrived into Napier about 3pm - the town is the art deco capital of the wrold and loads of buildings are in that style. the town was nice right on the beach front.
The next day we were off to Lake taupo where kel would be doing her skydive from 15,000ft. the weather was not looking too good as the clouds rolled in. so when we phoned to check the first ive was cancelled for 12 but we booked her in again at 1pm. the weather cleared up and the blue skies came through so at 1 we headed off to the skydive centre. kel got geared up and taken straight to the little plane. up to 15,000ft to jump out! she loved it but felt abit sick after as her guy kept spinnig her in the air. but is was a great experince and she got a dvd of her jump and loads of photos! the next day in taupo we heaed off round the town and down by the massive lake.
Hope all is ok back home.
love tom & kel xxx
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