Had a good couple of days in Kaikoura, did some whale watching. Thought about swimming with dolphins, but couldn’t justify the cost. Besides they have Orca and Great White Sharks in these waters! And Sperm Whales, which can do some damage as well.

Now in Wellington, flying back to Auckland tomorrow. Then, sadly, leaving New Zealand for Melbourne on the 24th.

Only ten days left in N.Z. How time goes really quickly…

Did some walking yesterday, mainly to get a better view of Mt. Cook. Also went on a tour of the Tasman Valley/glacier which was amazing - just seeing the glacier gouging the sides of mountains is great (see Flickr pics).

Back to the east coast today, not too sure where next - need to be back in Auckland on the 24th, for flight to Melbourne.

I’m now in Mount Cook (village). You can see Mt. Cook itself really well from the Hermitage Hotel - the Ed Hillary Cafe has a great view (I’ve just had a coffee there). Stunning scenery all around, and getting colder now the sun has dropped.

I’m coming back here in the Summer, sometime, to do some of the walks.

I think the next Muse album should be called ‘Um’. It will appeal to my word-play sense of fun.

I’m in Westport at the moment, which isn’t very exciting. Taking the TranzAlpine train from Greymouth to Christchurch today, which I’m looking forward to.

Took the ferry from Wellington to Picton yesterday - the crossing was really good, just a gentle swell speeding us along. Travelling down the Queen Charlotte Sound was like being back in Norway.

Going to explore the South Island for a few weeks before heading to Oz.

Currently in Wellington for three nights, in anticipation of going over to the South Island on Monday. Going to explore Wellington, though not for boots.

Off to see if I can get a parachute jump in today, otherwise will go for a bungy jump.

Post-edit: got my bungy jump in at Taupo Bungy. Was good fun, had an audience of a bus-load of Japanese tourists, who weren’t jumping. The jump-cameras weren’t working, but I’ve got a video of my jump, which I shall try and capture some images from. Anyway - my neck-crick seems to be a little better now, for some reason!

It smells in Rotorua. Reminds me of being back in Iceland. There are lots of steam-vents around town. I’m staying in a place called the Funky Green Voyager.

The town is in a caldera produced by a volcano. Why do I persist in visiting volcanic places?

Yep, I’m in Auckland, New Zealand. Really couldn’t cope with any more mosquito bites (I had to go into hospital when on Ovalau, as my elbow swelled up).

Steve - tell Mr Three Piece Suite than NZ sucks. Ok - it doesn’t, but it’s fun to wind him up.

I’ve registered “an interest” on the New Zealand immigration page. Canada and NZ are the main countries that I’ve been interested in. I’ll be in NZ in May, to have a nose around. I don’t think I can stand much longer in the UK, it just depresses me.