NZ Update

So the big news is that having avoided lethal bites from the many and varied poisonous snakes / spiders / jellyfish / scorpions etc around Australia and Asia, I have been attacked by one of the only dangerous creatures in New Zealand. Yes - I was stung on the face by a bumble bee who flew in through the window of our camper van as we were driving away from the Franz Josef Glacier. Luckily, we did have the anti-venom required (in the form of Wasp-eze) in order to counteract the symptoms, so we could wend our merry way up to Hanmer Springs where we stayed for a night and went to the thermal springs there. They were very relaxing although the sulphur baths left a less than delightful whiff in our swimwear.

I should back-up a bit though as we have had a fab time pootling around in our camper van. Milford and Doubtful Sounds were amazing if very wet (average of 7-9 metres of rainfall a year) and we saw one incredible waterfall after another interspersed with dolphins and seals and all sorts of dramatic views and scenery. We also went through some caves one day to go find glow worms which lead to this little rhyme being discovered:
I wish I were a glow worm
And then I'd never be glum
'Cos how can you be grumpy
When a light shines out your bum!

From the glow worms we went for an explore around Queenstown for a night - went up the gondolar and luged part of the way down followed by jet-boating the next day which was wicked ... 360 degree turns in a canyon on only 10cm of water. We then headed to Lake Wanaka where we did a whole load of walking (tramping to use the NZ terminology) up and down some hills / mountains and had a swim in the Lake. Next stop was Franz Josef where we headed over to the Terminal Face of the Fox Glacier when we arrived and the next day did a guided walk up over and into the Franz Josef Glacier. It was fab if not slightly nerve racking at times leaping over in crevices with only your crampons to stop you slipping.

We are now in Kaikoura and off to do some whale watching in a couple of hours. We then have a couple of days in Christchurch before we leave our van behind and head off to Wellington to see Sarita & Hamish and spend some time in the North Island. We'll add a load more photos onto the site when we get there.

Have a good week!!! (and those in Prague ... enjoy / good luck with the massive snow!!)