Hi again. Today is Wednesday and I've been through a lot since I last blogged. From where I left off last time we did eventually arrive in Christchurch. We had time to eat near the hotel and then have a little nightcap before turning in.

The next day was Monday and we had a 7.30 start to join the Trans Alpine Express. This was a really scenic journey which took us over the Southern Alps. We got off in a place called Arthur's Pass and rejoined the coach. (If you look closely at the first picture you should be able to see part of the train as we were making our journey.)

The coach made a couple of stops for meals and snacks and we arrived in a place called Franz Josef Glacier. I volunteered to be in the first group to take a helicopter trip up on to the top of the glacier. This turned out to be a good decision as the weather closed in and no other groups could go after us. Anyway the flight and the scenery was spectacular. We had a few minutes to get out of the helicopter and walk around. It was surprisingly warm.

The next day(Tuesday) we left at 7.45 for the journey to Queenstown. I've not attached any photos for this day as I have limited space but it was still a tremendously scenic journey through temperate rainforest with huge mountains and squillions of lakes to marvel at. On arrival at Queenstown a few of us hurried of to take a gondola(cable car) trip to the top of the mountain overlooking Queenstown. There was a terrific view from the top.

Today, Wednesday has probably been the highest of all the highs I've enjoyed so far on the trip. We left early for a long coach trip to a place called Milford Sound. Once we got there we embarked on a boat for a 2 and a half hour trip around the sound. The scenery was magnificent with gigantic mountains rising out of the sea. I've attached one photo but I don't think any number of photos can come close doing justice to the sheer beauty of the place.

Once we docked most of us had opted to take a flight back to Queenstown. Apparently this option normally isn't possible as the weather prevents the flights from taking off. However we were lucky and were able to fly and the final photo is from this flight. The morning coach ride had taken about 4 and a half hours as the coach has to go around the mountains. However the plane which was a small Cessna, flew over the mountains and we were back in an hour. It goes without saying that the views were stupendous although a little part of me was worried that there would be no place to land if anything happened to the tichy plane I was in.

Anyway here I am safely back in Queenstown updating the blog. The plan for this evening is to visit a little Irish pub that we found to enjoy good food, a coupl of pints of KilKenny ale, and a live "diddlee dee" band. I'm hopeful it will be a fun night.

Bye for now.