Bungy Jumping, Jet Boating and Tea Pots!!

Just before we arrived into Queenstown, we stopped off at the AJ Hackett Bungy site at the Kawarau Bridge - a 43m high bungy jump over a river. Well it was just screaming out to be jumped!! We saw a video about the history of bungy and how AJ Hackett and Henry von Asch developed the modern day bungy jump (even doing a test jump from the Eiffel Tower!)

Fiona and I had already signed up to do the jump and, after seeing the jump, Kate decided to risk it too! Dermot & Ian point blank refused to do it so they were left in charge of the cameras!

While we were queueing up though, Ian changed his mind and decided to join us insane people and jump (using nothing more than several layers of knicker elastic tied to our ankles!!!)

Up on the bridge they were playing upbeat music whilst we watched others from our tour bus jump. Kate was before me and (despite her fear of heights) only screamed all the way day and back up again. It was pretty impressive that she managed to fling herself off the top in the first place!

Then it was my turn - the guy asked if I wanted to get dunked into the water and I decided that I only wanted to get my finger tips wet (but what I wanted and what I got were totally different!!) I then penguin shuffled to the edge (very embarrassingly!) and smiled for the photo before being counted down and diving off the bridge! The fall was brilliant and very soon I was near the water so I closed my eyes and felt myself get a little wet (which was very refreshing on a warm day).

After bouncing a few times, the recovery boat came out and I was hauled into it and unstrapped. It was in here that I realised that I'd been dunked in up to my waist and I was now looking like a contestant in a wet t-shirt competition! watching the DVD of it was really funny and had to be bought!

Once all the jumps had been done (everyone survived!) we journeyed on into Queenstown. That night we ventured into Altitude Bar which was underneath our hostel (Discovery Lodge). Not before too long, most of our bus had joined us party animals and were dancing on the chairs with us! Princess, our driver, then bought two rounds of shots for us all - I'm not sure what they were but they tasted great! We danced on into the night (well until the bar closed and they kicked us out)!

The next day Kate, Fiona & I went on the Shotover Jet - a jet boat ride that does 360 degree spins in very shallow water! It lasted about 25 minutes and we had about 7-8 360 degree spins and got a little wet down one side. It was great fun thought!

That evening Sam, Ian, Chad, Jon, Henrik, a German girl and I headed up on the gondola to race each other in the luge! We got 6 rides each down an 800 metre track and, due to limited time, racing each other was the only way to go! We were made to do the 'scenic route' first to get used to the luge cars then we could go on the faster route.

To get up to the start, we had to go on a mini chairlift. On our 2nd time up there, Sam lost one of his flip flops and had to race with his one remaining flip flop (and rescue his other one once we'd finished!) I seemed to not get the hang of the cars (its my excuse!) and came last, except in the last race when Sam & Ian were too busy trying to ram each other off the course that I was able to almost finish the race before they realised I was ahead but it was too late to do anything!

We stayed up at the top admiring the amazing views of Queenstown and got our photos taken by a passing group of Japanese tourists!

That night we went for dinner at Fergburger (which is a must for anyone going to Queenstown)! They are huge and very yummy! We'd decided to go speed dating in one of the local pubs and spent the time over dinner trying to come up with abstract questions!! We turned up at the pub, only to see the people who were going to be taking part and decided to leg it out of the pub as quickly as possible!!

So we decided to go to The World Bar and have a teapot. This may sound strange to many people - why would we want to have a cup of tea on a night out but they actually serve their cocktails in white teapots! Carrying on with our 'illusion' theme, we had to go with 'The Illusion' cocktail - gin, vodka, Bacardi, triple sec, coconut, melon and pineapple juice. The gave us shot glasses to pour our drinks into or straws (to put into the spout) but eventually we ended up just drinking from the spout (so classy!) We spent the rest of the night dancing away until we got bored of the DJ changing the music to dodgy dance tunes and went off to bed!

It was our last night as a group and we are really going to miss the Stray Bus people! We haven't laughed so much and for so long for a very long time! Cheers for the memories guys - its been one of the highlights of my trip! xx

Laughing Until We Cried and Illusions!

The next morning we (except Sam who was feeling a little under the weather and couldn't get out of bed!) got on the bus and headed to Makarora. Our first stop was at Lake Matheson, the reflective lake. It was just our luck that the wind decided to blow that morning and we were unable to get any decent photos!

We then headed to the Roaring Billy Falls, which were the other side from a fast flowing river. So we sat on a rock and watched the falls, while Fiona began liberating rocks from the path (by throwing them back into the river)! Ian & Merris decided to go for a swim in a rock pool only to discover that it was ice cold water!

Our next stop was at Thunder Creek Falls the silly photos continue. I think it was Ian's idea to stand on one foot, which is easier said that done on small wobbly rocks! Thankfully, no-one fell in!

We then arrived at an area that was called a 'pleasant flat recreational area'! It was true to its word! We got some great photos of the mountains in the distance and helped Ian get a crazy photo - he wanted to do a handstand with his head just above the mountain but couldn't get his balance so Kate & I held his legs while Dermot took the photo!

We arrived in Makorara and stayed in Alpine style lodges. The girls decided to have a quick swim before dinner in the very cold pool with lots of dead things floating in the shallow end! Needless to say, we didn't stay in the water long! That night, we ended up in the bar (again!), and tried to listen to Ian (on the piano) and Jon (on the guitar) but the pub wouldn't turn down their music so we headed back to our room.

We got into bed but no-one was in the mood for sleeping and we ended up making each other laugh so much that tears were running down our cheeks!!

The next day we had a lazy morning before getting back on the bus and headed towards Queenstown. On the way, we stopped at Lake Hawea and Lake Wanaka to take pictures of the beautiful scenery. We then arrived in Wanaka and were given the option of going to the main town or being dropped off at Puzzling World - after Dermot's photo, there was no choice but to go to Puzzling World and see their Illusion Rooms!!

We began by attempting the Giant Maze - we had to go to the four towers in each of the corners and then make our way back out again! Ian & I spent most of the time climbing onto the bridges and trying to strategically plan our route. There were celebrations all round when we got to the final tower! On the way back out of the maze, some of the group gave up and took the short cut through the emergency exit (you know who you are you cheaters!!!)

We then went into the Illusion Rooms and Dermot decided to pose with the globe (practising his 'Illusionist' look for the camera!). We also had fun in the Ames Illusion Room - where you can make people appear to be a giant or a dwarf. But the best part was in the Tilted House where Dermot was able to perform an Illusion trick - rolling a pool ball uphill on a pool table and into the pocket. We laughed so much our sides ached!



Then it was back on the bus as we made our way to Queenstown.

Franz Josef Glacier - a Very Big Lump of Ice!!

We went to Hokitika the home of green stone, where I finally managed to buy myself a green stone necklace (and also some earrings!!) Our next stop was at a Bushman's centre in Pukekura and were met by the owner, Pete. We saw a video about deer hunting and export in New Zealand (we'd been warned that if we liked Bambi, this wouldn't be an easy film to watch!).

We then saw the wild pig that was resident there. It was JP's job to feed it bread (making sure that it sat first). He looked pretty scared when he saw the big teeth! They also had possums there and a little feature offering the 'Weta Experience' - which fired out water at whoever pressed the button. Sam got hit straight in his face!

Back on the bus, we headed to Franz Josef Glacier and gave the bus our rendition to Bohemian Rhapsody at the tops of our voices! I don't think the rest of them were very impressed!

That night, Dermot showed us his driving licence photo which looked like an illusionist doing a publicity shot. He then became "Dermot Lavelle - Illusionist", a name that he will be forever known as! After a few drinks, Dermot decided to tell us a bedtime story - his rendition of Goldilocks and the Three Bears! He made us laugh so much that our sides were splitting and Fiona was reduced to a heap on the floor as it was the only way that she could laugh without too much pain from her cracked sternum!!!

The next day we climbed the Franz Josef Glacier. We arrived at 8:15 and were given our waterproof trousers, socks and boots, jackets, hats and gloves. We were driven to the glacier park and had a 45 minute walk through the forest until we saw the glacier. We were lagging behind the rest of the group due to the fact that we were doing silly poses for the cameras! We came to a sign warning us of 'Extreme Danger' if we proceeded but that didn't bother us! We also saw some other bizarre signs!

We walked to the terminal face of the glacier and were shown how to put on our crampons (spiky shoes to help us grip the ice).

Sam & Ian decided to show off their crampons in a 'Kung Fu' style! (It was to be the day for silly photos!!)

We began climbing up man-made steps, using the rope to help. We had to cross two small bridges that crossed deep chasms - we were told not to look down if we were scared of heights! We were also told not to stop on the bridges because, if they broke and we fell, our guide (AJ) was not going to rescue us today! We left the steps and AJ began carving a new route through the ice (why not!).

We stopped to pick up ice picks, which was a big mistake as the boys decided to attack the ice at every given opportunity and use it to play golf with!! Although they didn't manage to get many 4's! They ended up being told that 'ice is not the enemy'!!!! They really shouldn't have been given ice picks!!

We stopped for lunch on some rocks and had a chance to admire the amazing views of this large piece of ice! It did beg the question - 'how much Baileys would it take to cover this much ice?' - a fair few bottles me'thinks!

We climbed a little higher, through ice tunnels before crossing the glacier and heading back down. We came across and small hole which we were encouraged to climb into. The only problem was that it was a small angled hole that really didn't suit people with hips! Still, I managed to get into it and have my photo taken. I then had difficulties getting out, so our guide took a photo of that before hauling me out of the hole! It was such an attractive photo!!

Back at the hostel, we all jumped into the hot tub (which could fit about 15 people in). Sam got surrounded by blondes (and continued to wear his shades) so gained the nickname - the Heff (after Hugh Heffner)!! After the others had finished having an alcohol fight in the tub, we headed off to the bar for another night of drinking (lots of) red wine!!!

Pancake Rocks & Cross Dressing!

We headed off from Abel Tasmen and Princess handed round some white board markers - we had to write our names on the window (so that she could learn our names). Some people even drew pictures - I just put 'H' (and drew a flower as I'm no good at art)! We were sitting in front of Sam and Fiona, who we got chatting to straight away! The rest of the bus seemed very quiet - it could have been due to the dodgy French music that was being played! - but the four of us made up for it!

Princess played a game called 'Driver Wants' with the left side v the right side of the bus. Princess would ask for certain items and we had to race to the front with them before the other side. She began with easier things - like 3 Lonely Planet books, 5 socks, 4 mobile phones etc. Our side of the bus was very boring. We tried to get them going but as we were at the back, it was a little difficult and, despite our effects to get the left side joining in, we side lost!

We stopped off at Punakaiki to see the Pancake Rocks. We took a short walk in the rain and the wind to see them but they were worth it! It was here that Fiona, Sam, Ian, Dermot, Kate & I became an inseparable group of troublemakers!!!!!

That night we stayed in Barrytown (or BarryVegas) - population 40! We were in the accommodation at the back of the only pub in the Village and we were having a fancy dress party - with cross dressing as the theme! We only had a few hours to come up with an idea. After a small shopping trip in Westport, Kate & I had our costumes!

Fiona & Sam went as 'Posh and Becks' (with Fiona donning Sam's leather jacket and Sam squeezing his massive balloon breasts into Fiona's top), Ian as Madonna (complete with cone breasts), Merris as a guy in a suit(!?), Kate and I as paratroopers (complete with our own waterpistols!!!) and Dermot as a stylish woman (with his tinsel feather boa and great pout!!!!)

We had assisted the boys in their 'getting ready' preparations, including putting on their makeup. It was worrying that they seemed to enjoy that part and, even after the competition was over, were still asking to have their lipgloss reapplied!!!

We knew that the evening was going to be messy when Kate started a waterfight with the guy who owned the pub and he brought out his own, bigger, water pistol! The bar staff were even willing to top us up when we ran out! Kate ended up being soaked!!!! Sam was impressed at having such large breasts and he soon found a good use for them!

There was a competition to win a bungy jump in Queenstown for the best dressed person. There was a dance off on the bar, which included Posh & Becks (although Fiona was unable to get onto the bar due to a fractured sternum from a freak surfing accident!), Merris and a French guy called Guilliame. Unfortunately for the rest, Guilliame was a born performer (who was calling himself 'Marilyn' for the night!) and he was the best 'female' dancer (it was pretty scary!!!!)

We carried on partying (and getting involved in some dodgy dance moves ourselves!). The boys started a limbo competition and another game involving picking up a cereal box from the floor with your teeth and it getting lower and lower. There were some really bendy people around!!!

Back in our room, the six of us played the cards, with Ian loosing each time and finally crashed into bed!!!

We spent the next morning in Barrytown and walked down to the beach - only for it to start raining (and we were dressed in t-shirts!) Still, it didn't matter! We'd had an amazing time in BarryVegas!

Abel Tasman & Sea Kayaking

We got the Stray Bus and met our driver - Princess. We were heading to the Abel Tasman National Park. We stopped at a winery and tasted some of their produce (but they were very stingy with what they gave us!) We got chatting to some of our fellow Stray Bus-ers - Ian, Sam & Rob.

Back on the bus, Princess tried to get people talking to each other and we played Speed Dating (with the people on the outside of the bus having to move back a row each time). I got chatting to Dermot who was sitting behind me & Kate. The Speed Dating was a bit of a failure with about 5 people taking part! I also spent 2 rounds chatting with Dermot (as he is off to South America next)!

That night, we stayed at Old MacDonald's Farm. They even had llamas there! Over dinner, we met a few more people - Henrik, Jon & Lucy.

The next morning (while most people were on the booze cruise!), Kate & I went sea kayaking. We spent half an hour learning how to row, launch the boat, land the boat and what to do if we capsize! We put on our 'skirts', shoes and life jackets and set off to the beach. We began rowing towards Fisherman Island which took us about an hour to row to. Kate was at the front, setting the speed and I was at the back with the steering! I had just about got the hang of it (although sometimes I did steer the wrong way!)

We stopped at Fisherman Island for a mid-morning tea break (which was a cup of tea and a piece of chocolate cake!!) We then headed off around Adele's Island. Here we saw a seal eating an octopus - it was thrashing its head around to rip off the legs and eating them whole. As we were in the kayak, we silently rowed towards it to get a better look! We also saw some Blue Penguins and lots of Shags!

We stopped at Te Pukatea Bay for lunch. We had a swim in the crystal blue (and cold!) waters before walking up the cliff to get a brilliant view of the bay. We headed back, which took a few hours and our arms and shoulders ached by the time we landed back on the beach!

The Night of Fire Alarms!

We took the Inter-Islander Ferry from Wellington to Picton. It would have been a nice view but the weather decided to turn very British on us and it rained the whole trip (and was foggy so we couldn't see much!).

We checked into our hostel and prepared ourselves for the Stray Bus tour that we're doing tomorrow. We planned to get an early night but we weren't going to be so lucky! The fire alarm at the hostel went off during the night - not just once though but FOUR times!! The first was at 1:30am, then 3am, the 5am and 8am (but we slept through that one!). The first time, we all got out of bed and walked out to the street. After that, we stayed in the room while the owner turned the alarm off!

That morning, feeling a little tired, we were dropped back at the Ferry Terminal to wait for the Stray Bus.

Wellington & Elf Ear Wearing!!!

We took another Intercity bus to Wellington. The driver stopped en route to allow us to get photos of Mount Ruapehu & Mount Ngaragoe as well as giving us a running commentary on New Zealand!

The next day we did a Lord of the Rings Tour with a guide (Jack) who constantly got sidetracked and we realised exactly how much of the film was produced by computers! We were overloaded with stats and records that the film had broken! Rhys - you would have loved it!

We saw where they filmed the hobbits leaving The Shire, rolling down the hill and Frodo sensing the Nazgol (which we re-enacted!), Helm's Deep, Minas Tirith, Rivendell, Isengard and The Great River Anduin. We also got to see where the Weta Studios are (the place where they made all the props!)

We also got to wear Elf Ears and re-create the publicity photos that Orlando Bloom did as Legolas! I don't think I'd quite make it as an Elf!!

The next day we walked down Cuba Street looking in the funky little shops and went to the Te Papa Museum. It was a great place which included an Earthquake Room so we could experience an earthquake (rather than sleeping through one like in Peru!). We also walked along Oriental Parade, along the edge of the harbour. That night, we went and saw The Holiday at the cinema!

Turangi & the Tongariro Crossing

We got the Intercity bus to Turangi, near Lake Taupo. The following day we'd booked on to do the Tongariro Crossing - an 18km trek through the National Park.

The day started with a bitter wind (but it was only 7am and the weather was to improve!). We walked from the car park to Soda Springs which was a nice gentle hike. We then had to climb the Devils Staircase - which was just as the name suggests! It was a 45 minute hike up a big mountain and our legs were hurting at the top! Here we got to see Mout Ngauruhoe, which is used as Mount Doom in Lord of the Rings! We also saw an Irish guy in tight leathers taking a photo of Mount Doom with some kind of goblin stuffed toy in view - you get some strange people here!

We then walked up the Red Crater Ridge. It was steep and narrow and the wind was blowing a gale (it can get up to 60 kph!). There was also quite a bit of loose rocks there. The view at the top was great but then we had to go down - we ended up sliding down on our heels towards the Emerald Lakes (which smelt!). We had lunch (inside the Central Crater) and then walked along to the Blue Lake.

We followed the path down the Rotopaunga Valley (past a large patch of snow, which we played in!) for about 2 hours until we arrived back in the car park. It took us 6 hours and we even had time to sunbathe before the bus took us back to Turangi.

Kate's Birthday - Jumping off tall things!

Met up again with Kate (who'd been travelling around the North Island with her boyfriend Rod) in Auckland. As it was Kate's 26th birthday, she'd decided that she was going to do something crazy (why not!!) and was going to jump off the Sky Tower in Auckland (its a mere 192m!!) . I had to jump as well to help her celebrate (any excuse!).

We were taken into the tower and made to put on very sexy blue, red and yellow jump suits and we were harnessed up. Then we walked outside to the 'landing mat' and left Rod there to take photos. We then took the lift to the top of the tower and got to see an amazing view of Auckland!!

Kate went first (she is scared of heights and wanted to get the jump over as soon as she could!) She screamed all the way to the bottom (but at least she did it!)

Then it was my turn. They take you out to the edge and get you to pose before jumping! It was really windy out there (hence the dodgy hair). Then I had to grab the poles at the edge of the ledge, lean forward and jump!

You free fall for about 10 seconds, stop and then have to turn around and smile at the camera before falling at 86km to the bottom (you are harnessed on front & back so its not like a bungy!) You are aiming for the little red square - I ended up landing on my knees but it was great fun!

That night, Kate & I stayed at Graham & Jo's and they bought Kate birthday cake, complete with candles!

Rarotongo - a wedding & 2007!

Huw & I flew over to Rarotonga in the Cook Islands just after Christmas for my cousin Louise's wedding to Paul. To say that Rarotonga is a paradise island is an understatement! After the flight was delayed to 'mechanical reasons' we finally left Auckland and arrived just before midnight. The view from my room the next day blew me away!!

Spent the first day catching up with my cousins Sian, Matthew & Ceri (and of course the bride to be - Louise) as well as their parents Dawn & Elwyn. We spent the first day swimming and snorkelling in the crystal blue waters of the lagoon. There were a few fish around including Picasso Triggerfish, who are currently raising their newborns and are very territorial! I got bitten by one but it was just a little nip!! We caught the sunset that evening which was amazing.

The next day was Wedding Day and it was all hands on deck as we prepared the reception venue which included french plating coconut tree ferns which proved quite tricky!

The wedding was beautiful (and the setting amazing). We had champagne on the beach before heading back for the reception which carried on long into the night, accompanied by some swimming in the lagoon at midnight in only inches of water!

The following day was clear up day (and surprisingly no hangover!) We then got onto the hired motorbikes and drove around the island to a waterfall with the intention of swimming in it. When we got there, it was filled with locals who were jumped into the shallow waters from the rocks around (about 3 metres high) and almost landing on each other! We decided to pass on that!

That night we took our drinks and headed off down the beach to celebrate New Year. The party was still in full flow when we left it gone 3am!

The next morning, we had to catch our flight back to Auckland and I very nearly missed the taxi to the airport due to sleeping through my alarm (the alcohol played no part in this!!!) Arrived back in Auckland on the 2nd Jan (due to crossing the date line) still feeling a little worse for wear!!! Happy New Year everyone!

Auckland again and Christmas Number 2!

Back in Auckland, Kate & I did some Christmas shopping and had lunch at the Viaduct. That night we went to see Casino Royale at the cinema which was a good film. We helped Huw get ready for our second Christmas, which was at his daughter Ruth (& husband Chris)'s place. We also made another Yule Log!

On Christmas morning, we picked up Kate's boyfriend Rod from the airport at 5am! Rod bought Christmas presents from home so Kate & I sat and opened them. Huw gave us both lottery tickets but neither of us won!!

By mid morning, we were off to Ruth & Chris's and had a really enjoyable day (despite that fact that it was warm!) The men tried to show their macho sides and put up the new climbing frame for Reagan (Ruth & Chris's son). You couldn't get Reagan off it!

Missed having Christmas at home, in the cold, but could get used to having a hot Christmas!

Bay of Islands - Paihia, Cape Reinga & 90 Mile Beach

We did a 4 day trip with Stray to the Bay of Islands before Christmas. We stopped off at the Parry Kauri Park in Warkworth to see 200 year old Kauri trees. We did a 'hunga' to the tree (rubbed our noses against it) for good luck! We then went to the Native Bird Recovery Centre in Whangarei and saw a talking Tui called Woof Woof and got to stroke a Kiwi called Sparky. We also got to stroke a small baby Blue Penguin. We headed up the coast to see Hundertwasser's Kawakawa Toilets which were very funky! That evening we arrived in Paihia and got chatting to some of our fellow travellers - Jules, Louise & Bridgit - over a pint or two!

The next day we took a trip up to Cape Reinga, stopping along the way at some of the smaller towns. The weather today had decided to be very British and it was blowing a gale! We walked to the lighthouse at the end of the Cape and nearly got blown into the sea! We headed to a nearby beah for lunch and Kate, Jules, Louise & Bridgit decided to go and stand in the sea (I wasn't that mad!!!)

Next we headed to the Te Poki stream for some sandboarding. As it was raining quite a lot (and I'd already sand boarded in Peru), I decided to pass and take photos of people instead. They looked very funny when the arrived at the bottom of the hill covered head to toe in sand!

We then took a drive down the 90 mile beach (that isn't actually 90 miles long!) and drove over sand dunes. On the way home, we stopped for fish & chips in Mangunga.

The next day we (me, Kate, Jules & Louise) took a trip on the R Tucker Thompson, a pirate ship! We sailed out through the Bay of Islands and used the sails to drive us. Kate & I climbed out to the front of the ship. We stopped for lunch and went onto one of the islands for a little walk. Back on board the ship, we saw Bridgit (who was on a catamaran). She told us that her boat was better than ours - that was until we got out our little cannon and fired at her ship! Her face was a picture!! On the way back the boat broke down and we had to take the small spped boat to the harbour (it was amusing trying to clamber up when the dock was meant for a larger ship!)

We spent an afternoon at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, where the treaty was signed between the British and the many Maori tribes. We watched a documentary and took a guided tour around the place which was fascintating.

That afternoon, we took the Stray bus to Whangarei and then Graham (Kate's dad's cousin) took us to Whananaki North where he & Jo were camping for Christmas. Their tents were basically on the beach! The next day we took a short walk around the area and went to a deserted beach where I made a sandcastle (very surreal considering that it was the 22nd December!) That night we took the Stray bus back to Auckland.

Auckland - the City of Sails & Christmas Number 1!

We spent a couple of weeks in Auckland staying with my dad's cousin Huw (we needed to spend some time relaxing after the hectic schedule we had in South America).

We caught up with Susan, Martin, Karen & Kayto from our trip in Peru and had dinner in Occidental, a Belgian bar, before heading to the Viaduct and to one of the many pubs there!

We got on the Auckland Explorer bus and did a tour of the city. We went up to Bastion Point and got some great views of the city. We walked along the bay and saw why Auckland is called the City of Sails - there are so many sailing boats here! The road here is lined with Pohutakawa trees - the NZ Christmas tree. They have bright red flowers which are in bloom over Christmas.

We headed up to the Cathedral and saw the smaller St Mary's Church, which they had moved from the other side of the road (on rollers!) We then went to the museum. That night we met up with Kate's dad's cousin Graham and his wife Jo and went for dinner with them.

The next day we did the Coast to Coast walk - a 16km walk across the width of the city. We walked through Auckland Domain (a massive park), up Mount Eden and One Tree Hill and finally to Manukau harbour.

We also went to Rangitoto Island, which lies in the harbour. We climbed to the crater (it is an extinct volcano) and took the coastal track back. The views of the city were great.

At the weekend, we had an early Christmas celebration as Huw's son Gareth and his girlfriend Denise were leaving for the states. Kate and I had made (or rather decorated!) a yule log and put up the Christmas tree and decorations. There were about 10 of us for dinner and it was strange celebrating Christmas when the sky is blue and there is no need for jumpers!!!

Santiago

We had a busy couple of days as we stopped in Santiago on the way to New Zealand. Due to the delay in stopping en route at Sao Paolo, we arrived late in the evening so got a taxi to the hostel. We told the driver our Spanish joke about the duck and the bar (thanks Jimmy!!) and ended up getting a Spanish lesson from the driver to assist us. Althougth I don't think I'll have much use for 'traffic lights' or 'motorway' whilst walking around the city!!!

We did a mini tour of the city on our first day including Palacio de la Moneda, with its two courtyards - Plaza de la Constitution and Plaza de la Liberatad, Cerro Santa Lucia (formally a giant dirt mould until they made it into a lookout point of the city), the main square (Plaza de Armas), the Cathedral, Mercado Central (a giant fish market) and to Pio Nono to see the statue of the Virgin Mary on the top of the hill.

The next day we did a vineyards tour - they took us to see Vina Aquitania and Vina Undurraga. We were taken around the fields and shown how they make their wine. We also got to taste some as well (the best part of the day!)

The final day we flew to Auckland and lost the 8th December due to crossing the date line!

Rio de Janeiro

We arrived in Rio and went straight up to Sugar Loaf Mountain. We took the cable car to the very top, sat down with our beers and watched the sun set over the Big JC and Copacabana beach. It was a great sight!

The next morning, Kate & I went off to Ipanema Beach where someone had made a giant Santa statue from sand. It was very surreal! We alsowent to the Hippie Market which was a massive craft sale. We then did a tour of the Favela's - Rocinha & vila Canoas, which was fasciating to see. We met some of the locals who had done art work and made jewellry. We also saw a local school where children go until their parents are home - its an initiative to try and prevent the kids roaming the streets and getting caught up in the drug industry.
That afternoon, we caught the bus and went to the Big JC. We took the little train up the hillside and then walked around taking tonnes of photos of the views of Rio, as well as of the Big JC. We caught the little train back and headed into the city for dinner.

The next day we spent the morning shopping before flying out to Santiago. The flight was the most interesting that I've been on - we had to stop in Sao Paolo but when we got there, there was a massive storm overhead and we couldn't land. As we were running out of fuel, we flew back to Rio. After re-fuelling, we flew back to Sao Paolo, landed and then carried onto Santiago!!! The map on the plane showed us circling Sao Paolo several times!