A world record was achieved this morning in getting out before 10am! The aim today is driving, wine tasting and seeing some waterfalls. First stop around 10:45 is our first wine tasting place; 6 tastings, one bottle purchased and we’re off again. A few more stops for photos and we arrived in Wanaka around lunch time just in time for some more wine tasting! Had a great lunch, Seafood Chouder and then off to see some waterfalls.

First stop was the blue pools; which were’t blue as its rained quite a bit recently, and more river, than pool; still a nice half hour walk over a couple of suspension bridges and I got to try out the new rucksack sling thing for Rebecca which worked really well. More driving and some very good waterfalls including Gate of Haast and Thunder Creek Falls, lots of photos and eventually we’re in Haast for the night

Not a very interesting day today, spent a while returning to Queenstown as we stopped quite a bit on the way for petrol, honey, coffee…etc. once back in Queenstown though we headed straight to the same campsite as before and then once settled in headed into the town itself. A bit of shopping in all the outdoor shops was swiftly followed by some beer and a good meal with one of the best steaks I’ve ever had. Rebecca proved that evening that still is only 18 months and can be a real pain! Up early in the morning for a packed day
Tony

Up early this morning for the 2 hour drive from our camp to Milford Sounds. Strange situation where you have a road 120km long that ends up in a Fiord and that’s about it! Anyway needed to be away at a good time to beat the coaches, which we did nicely .

Milford Sounds itself is basically a big lake that ends up in the sea created by a glacier. The sides of the cliff either side are stupidly high and you really get no senses of how big until a little waterfall is over 500ft high. Some of the cliffs are over a mile high! You see all this from a boat that wanders along the sound to the sea and back; along the way seals can be seen as well which is nice

Returned after a cuppa back the same 2 hours and grabbed some good and beer in the supermarket. Li cooked dinner; huge mussels! And finally spent an hour playing with toilet waste as it decided to pour all over the shower; lovely
Tony

A late start to the day, the motor home looked like a bomb had hit it. We spent some time finally storing everything away and off we went in to Queenstown to head up the gondola. The views were fab on the way up and Rebecca was all excited saying wow all the time.

Tony talked me in to taking the plunge and go up in a paraglider (something unplanned but what the heck) eek! The good news was I weighed in less than I thought I was. The bad news was there was no wind in the usual spot they take off from and made me trek up a very steep mountain path to get to the top. Boy was I shattered by the time I got up there, which shortly followed by the guy Dean telling me to run off the edge! Hmmmm now why didn’t that appeal to me. Anyway went for it and the views were spectacular and the the experience was fab. Until Dean decided to do a few tricks which made my stomach turn which by then I think it was time to head down.

This was followed by 2.5 hours drive to Te Anau and we checked in to our camping grounds and took off for an evening trip to see some glow worms. A 25 minute boat ride took us across the lake (largest freshwater lake in Australasia). Unfortunately we weren’t allowed to take any photos but we did go into the glow worm caves and saw them all over the place. A short walk along a suspended platform (over a raging river) in the cave was followed by a peaceful boat trip in the caves in the dark. Expensive but worth doing.

Li

Yet another plane to take us from Auckland to Queenstown. Bit of a nightmare after the flight as I left my wallet on the plane but all good in the end. 3 flights down and Rebecca still was a perfect travelling child. It can’t continue!

Picked up out campervan. It’s big! 6 berth and like driving a bus but made it into Queenstown without issue. A really cool place; feels like a ski resort. Loads of outdoor shops, cold, blue skies and everyone seems cheerful. Had a really good pub dinner with a beer then off to our site and thankfully we got the last emergency place. Shattered but NZ looks stunning

Tony

Started the day of relaxing a bit then out to lunch with Uncle Jim. Walked most of the way back to Shirley’s place. Packed up and headed to the airport checkin in central Hong Kong. Checked in and started the first part of our flight to Auckland

Started the day nice and chilled in Tsim Sha Tsui. We went back to an old dim sum place we know and then for a wander up Nathan Road which stretches from Tsim Sha Tsui to Mong Kok.  Found a nice outdoor shop which makes clothing in London but does not sell it anywhere else except Hong Kong.  Great ski jackets too though makes me look like the marshmellow man.

Rebecca got a lot of attention and I look like the paid help as she looks so English, had one guy in Broadway (Electronics shop) asking if he can take a photo of her as she is so lovely…I’m also sure a girl was filming her yesterday bopping to some music.

Weather was a little bit cooler after the torrential rainfall yesterday but still very muggy and sticky.  We popped in to my cousin’s amplifier store and Rebecca jigged against to some music…think we have a dancer in the making.

Finally made it back down to the harbour and Rebecca decided to throw a wobbly and refuse to have her photo taken but managed to tempt her with some marshmellows and ‘pose’.

Li

Ended up getting up a bit late but still wanted to make the most of the day at Ocean Park. First stop to cash the cheque Li has been given, and then straight to Ocean Park. Saw the panda’s and they have a new main aquarium which is good. The highlight is the new south/north pole area though with sea lions, penguins, Artic fox and all kept in a massive fridge at around 8 degress. Happy to be inside as it has been raining with thunder all day.

Finished the day of nicely with a great Japanese meal with Shirley and Wai, amazing food and Rebecca eat her body weight in beans. It poured with rain outside; never seen rain like it in HK and then the lightning show was quite impressive

Very odd start to the day being served by Wai’s maid for breakfast. Not sure if we’d get used to that. Collected Li’s money from the post office $6000 for free; very handy!

Forgot just how crowded and hot it is here although some good food

Spent the rest of the day having lunch and dinner with family although we did manage a quick trip to my favourite camera shop. Camera porn!

Left Heathrow, picking up some new speakers and Bose headphones on the way. Flight was great and Rebecca was excellent the entire way. 5 mins of tears and that was it; rest of the time she slept or sat around colouring.

I sat at up drinking their free wine with a random lady and then moved on to the port!

Arrived at Shirley and Wai’s place. Nice apartment on the 12th floor. 3 beds plus a cupboard for the maid to sleep in! Had a nice meal out then a few beers out in Soho with Wai. Now need some sleep