Arrived in Wanaka, and the mountains still had a bit of snow on them! So pretty, these first few pictures I took at a stop off that Jono stopped at just before we got into the town. It's a really small reall expensive little town. Very nice though, very very relaxing. Probably the mose relaxed I'd been all trip because of the fact that I was staying with Ros for free, which was soooo incredibly nice of her. I had my own room and bathroom. So lovely.

These pictures are the view off of Ros and Jas's porch. Jas is Ros's partner. They hardly ever say the words boyfriend/girlfriend. I like it.

Best sunset ever.... I stared for ages.

Cruise to the left. Ros's little one, always so happy and laughing and causing trouble. He always manages to get half his meal in his mouth and the other half on the rest of him. In New Zealand they say "Cruisy" as in "cool" or "easy going" that's most definitely that kid

Once leaving Franz Joseph, we stopped off at lake Matheson and went for a little hike, during this time of day it was a little windy, so it wasn't as mirrored as it usually is. but still quit stunning. this lake reminded me a but of home with the plant life being a little but similar. Still there was a bit more of rainforest type plants and trees. the picture on the top right is Mt Cook poking through the clouds.

slightly like home, isn't>

it?

Roadside picture on our way to Wanaka>

I couldn't wait until I got to Wanaka so I could stop moving around everyday and have a nice place to stay for a week. Thank you Ros from Red Rock for taking me in..... =)

On the way to Franz....

Leaving Westport early in the morning to head for Franz Joeseph, stopped off near pancack rocks, which I have pictures off from before, but didn't have time to go there this time since I was riding on Innercity bus, but bought one of my favorite drinks "Frank - a damn good drink" and they don't lie. The shirt the the right, I love and makes me want to surf, sadly I lost it last week, so i thought I'd put it in here as a memory. Haha.

The bird bellow was also at the bus stop, not a Kiwi bird, I think it's called a "Weka" Which - Bri if you read this, that Necklace that I bought you I bought here at this bus stop last time and the family called that particular stone "Witchbait" Maori - Iniago "Blood of the Weka" Maori -Totoweke. So: Iniago Totoweke. That's the stone!

Once I got to Franz, I finally found ferns that hadn't fully bloomed and had wanted to get some photo's ever since the first New Zealand trip. So finally! I'm pretty proud of these shots. However I do wish I had my manual so I could get some better Macro shots.

The mountains and the glaciers up above. Since I spent an extra day in Westport, I didn't get a chance to do any of the hikes this time. So hopefully me and Jacqui will do it when she gets down here, because it is a must do and last time I didnt get any photos.

Katchafire!!!!!

So after making our way out of River Valley, We stopped off in Wellington for a night, which is a good town that hopefully I'll get to spend some time in later... but anyway, the next morning took a ferry to Nelson, really beautiful place, "sunniest place in New Zealand" which is funny because last time me and Andy were there, it definitely wasn't the sunniest place, it rained nearly the whole time. And I think they just recentlly lost the title of sunniest place to another town a bit more north that i can't remember what it's called. Anyway, I didn't really spend much more than an evening there either, then went on my way to Westport which is a quant little coal minning town and ended up staying an extra night because Katchafire was playing at one of the local pubs. I've been a pretty big fan ever since me and Andy were introduced to the reggae music from otto in Cape Reinga. So finally got to see them, an not only that, I met them first when they arrived in the hostal that I was staying at, and then later invited me to hang out with them since I was all by my lonesome. Really down to earth cool guys, and what an amazing set they played. So above to the left is Jordyn(Drummer/vocals..), and Logan(guitar/vocals) to the right.

Half time they went to go rest in the back and invited me along, pretty stoked as you can see.....








to the right is Jamie, MAD mad mad sax player as well as keyboard, acoustic guitar, and vocals





Left is Leon on Bongos and vocals, SUPER nice guy.











to the right is Grenville on lead guitar and vocals.




I'm missing pictures of Tere and Haani because they were too far in the background and hard to get decent pictures of. These aren't that great of pictures either, but I sort of like them that way. especially the one of Jamie on the sax. I think it adds some life to it. Anyway, it was such a great show and so personal/small/and chilled out. So glad I went, it was exactly what I needed to really get in the mood for a New Zealand summer.

The Beginning.....

Okay, so I'm going to start from the beginning and give a breif over-view of things just for reference and for those who haven't seen or heard about the pictures.

This time in New Zealand I didn't get to do the Tongariro Crossing, but we did take a good two hour hike through the National Forest on a beautiful day. It was cool this time as well because there was snow on the mountains still.

My Yorkshire friend JJ, who loves striking poses for funny pictures. You can't really tell from here, but there's a shear cliff on the other side.... yet again in Tongariro

Mmmm Tongariro water fall, a JJ inspired idea. And then I couldn't help myself but go behind the waterfall and cool off. There's nothing like the feeling of a waterfall creating that gust of wind and mist to revive your soul.

Hay JJ!!!!! And annie in the background, another Yorkshire friend.

Mt Ruapehu, not a very good quality photo, but that's what happens when you're going on a hike with a time limit. Good times in the sun though. Still Tongariro by the way....

beautiful day to drive through Farmland from Taupo Area (Tongariro National Park) to River Valley (Taihape, near Palmerston North)

Intense colors of blue sky, green grass, black cows and white sheep. Looked out the window and tried to read... but it was too pretty.

River Valley Palms.... finally made it, and it was SO hot, jumping in the river never felt better, then a good feed of me cooking myself some my classic cheap backpacker tomato with diced avocado and toast. Mmm

The nice lovely river.....
Can't see it, but to the right was a little cable with a platform to take you to the other side.

Found a good rock for a pillow right under a nice tree for a good nap in the shade. I think I'm pretty good at finding the perfect relaxing spots.

Jono, the goofy good man. A friend of a friend who drove for Kewi that took me after Eljay had to cut his trip short. Good guy this guy.


Okay, that's all for now, I'll put some more up later. Hopefully I'll get up to date soon.....