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We figured at least we could shop until the sun shines again. Queenstown is a lovely little place set around a
lake and surrounded by alpine type fur trees. There is a steep gondola above the campsite up the mountain, which
Joe quite fancies having a go at.
I have my heart set on a wine tour and there is Milford Sound to check out too. Off to buy some possum gloves, hat,
and pants (as unlike Australia where they are endangered, here they have the status of a rat in East London)
Journal Update 10th Jan 2005 / Te Aneu, New Zealand
Hi guys
We are now in Te Aneu a little town in the middle of no where on the way to Milford Sound. Yesterday was glorious
weather and we drove through the most fantastic scenery I have ever seen to a place called paradise. We parked the
car up and basked in the sun. Only to be attacked by little black flies nipping at us. We visited a fur trappers shop
and Joe considered buying some possum socks to go in his booties. I reminded him of the good time we had on New Years
Eve with our friend the possum and he decided against them. Though they did look rather soft and warm, I don't think
we could live with the guilt!
Journal Update 11th Jan 2005 / Milford Sound, New Zealand
We are lucky as yesterday we had the most magnificent day to drive to Milford Sound. This was the most
spectacular sight of high mountain peaks with melted glazier water tumbling down. We stopped at a creek and a bus
load of Japanese tourists came down to fill up their water bottles. Joe had immense fun gesturing to them holding
his throat and heart like he was just about to die and pointing at the water. For some reason they didn't get the joke and all hurried back in the bus looking quite worried.
It was the one day of the year it didn't rain at Milford Sound as usually they get 30 FT a year. We went out
on a cruise around the sound and out to the Tasman Sea (which is usually very difficult due to the swells). Even
the skipper was having an ace time and we thought it was worth every penny. We saw high waterfalls and sea cliffs
with seals basking in the sun. The group on the boat were great people and we palled up with a couple that had
travelled through Asia, too. Though felt very jealous as they were continuing on to South America. Though, they
were stretching their budget somewhat, as they had spent $2000 in Queenstown on sky diving, stunt planes and
various activities.
We all felt very sad when the wind blew off an old mans favourite Harry Potter hat (especially as it was his
crew hat from working on the film) still as Joe says when someone finds it they will be very happy! We rounded
off a smart day with a special dinner (instead of the usual soup and chips, we had roast lamb with all the
trimmings and mint jelly (Joe) and pan fried snapper (Wendy). We retired to our little tent full of hot food and
cheer. We are off to Doubtful Sound today and the sun is still shining. Let's hope it stays that way as this place
if frightfully dull, dull, dull in the rain.
Journal Update 14th January 2005 / Mount Cook, New Zealand
Hi Guys
Quick hello from the bottom of Mount Cook.
Up there the mountain is covered in thick snow. We are sitting in the foyer of The Hermatige a luxury hotel
sheltering from the wind. It is a glorious day and the sun is shining, sky is blue. We have visited Dunedin
(a Scottish town) and been to the most southerly point on the South Island. Now we are working our way back up
to the glaciers on the Western side.
All is well with the tent but spent a night in a motel for a bit of luxury and for a much needed bath!
Journal Update 16th January 2005 / Franz Josef Glaicer, New Zealand
Hi Guys
Well we are in high spirits today, though the weather is once again raining cats and rather large doggies.
We are meeting some interesting people on our travels, in Dunedin we met a redundant sheep slaughterer who
runs up and down the steepest street in the world (which is in Dundedin). He does it at least 60 times a day and
is 54, very bald and wears very small shorts (but has good legs).
We made fast friends though he scared me a bit as he related how the sheep is killed on the chain. Apparently
they break the neck, slit the throat and pull a hook through the heart to bleed them. He wanted to hang out with
us for the rest of the day, but Joe started to retreat as we got the distinct impression he had a lot of blood lust
(and no fingers!!!).
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