Christchurch to Queenstown

Sorry its been a few days since we last checked in but it was all a bit manic over the Christmas period - we met up with Dad in Christchurch then Andy and Jo flew in from the Uk for their 3 week holiday and the fun began...

A lovely (and very scenic) three hour trans-Alpine railway journey across the mountains to the West Coast of the South Island brought us to a hire car and we continued south to the Franz Glacier and subsequently the Fox Glacier.

We stayed at a motel place and had an interesting time trying to cook a meal for 5 on a camping stove (subsequently downgrading expectations from previously purchased Steak to Spaghetti Bolognaise).

Next came the helicopter trip to about half way up the glacier and our trek around the glacier to find out how it was formed and how it is actually expanding in contrast to many round the world today (global warming anyone???).

We then headed down some very scenic roads to Queenstown (aka the centre of adventure in the South Island.) Very kindly my sister had bought my brother and I bungy jumps off a 134m bridge over a river - if you want to see someone scream like a girl look at the youtube and picassa photos of my brother and I and you will find out who it was! ;-)

We also managed the following:-

• Jetboating up into the National Park where Lord of the Rings was shot
• Luging on Christmas day against my brother (don't know where he gets that competitive streak from)
• Walking with Dad up to some veiwpoint that overlooked Queenstown.
• Feeding deer, goats and other furry creatures in a local reserve
• Randomly bumping into a university friend of mine - Sarah Gilchrist - on Christmas day who was just heading north in a bit of a daze (see you in London Sarah!)
• Lovely Christmas day with the family
  

Anyway - getting kicked off computer now so will update again later

A & E