Beautiful Milford Sound

Homer Tunnel

We were really impressed with the Homer Tunnel. It's about 1.2kl long and cut into solid rock. It's quite low and narrow, which somehow makes it more impressive.

Ready to board our boat (behind) for the wonderful cruise on Milford Sound - and it was wonderful. We saw (maybe because it was a nature cruise!) dolphins, seals and penguins. We also stood under a waterfall when the boat went into one which although cold was so worth it.

We did a "nature trip" to Milford Sound which is why they told us soooo much about plants and animals on the way. It was good to stop and have a walk through a couple of beautiful areas on the way though. We were ooohhing and aaahhhing with the best of them.

Queenstown is absoutely beautiful, stunning, magical - these are the only words we can come up with. We just love this place - it would be a beautiful spot for a week's holiday.

I've jumped - I just loved it - could not wait to jump and wasn't scared - just wanted to get up there and go. I did a magnificant dive from great heights (43 metres)- so Serena and Rose tell me. It was great to have Rose and Wayne arrive to be part of my support team. I am feeling very proud of myself. It was a wonderful experience. Mind you it's a baby jump by bungy standards, but I'm pretty pleased with my effort.

This is the view from the top of the gondala ride in Queenstown. What a beautiful place.

This is not a trick. Although we landed fairly cleanly, the balloon just tipped over at the end. We then had to stay like this for quite a while so the pilot could take a photo with everyone's camera. ok for those on top! The flight was wonderful. 7am seemed a bit early for a champagne, but we joined in just to be sociable.

Here is our little group ready to alight in the balloon. And yes the guy with the crew cut is American. Take off was sooo quiet and gentle, quite strange as there is no sensation of going up.

Serena in the park in front of the Queen Victoria statue. Lots of beautiful parks and gardens in Christchurch.

....and very sensible large glasses of wine!!

We arived in Christchurch safely. Good flight though Vicki's sinus played up badly again but no long term affect. We're here so it's all good. Accomodation at Quest Apartments is in a great spot in central Christchurch. Fantastic meal in pub close by and we're ready for our 4am start tomorrow for the balloon flight.

......the lambs fry and bacon!!

Here we are outside "our local pub" - an Irish pub just down the road from our hotel. We enjoyed a few quiet drinks there and a couple of beautiful meals (lambs fry and bacon was wonderful). New Zealand also has lots of "random strangers" happy to take a photo. In all honesty we found everyone to be really friendly.

New Zealand October 2010

It's now October 2010. Serena and I are just about to head off for a fun few days in the south island of New Zealand. We're only going for 6 days but are both looking forward to our experiences there. You might like to have a look at our photos along the way.