As we left the beautiful glaciers of Franz Josef we visited some even more beautiful stops on the way to Wanaka in the form of Lake Matheson and Thunder Creek. 

We were only in Wanaka for one night but spent the afternoon on the beach by the lake and then went to a cute independent cinema to see The Hateful Eight that evening. There were squashy arm chairs to watch the film in and there was an intermission to get freshly baked cookies and a drink! On the way out of Wanaka we stopped at Puzzling World and played around in the exhibitions for a bit.

Kiwi Adventures: Kateriteri & Westport & Franz Josef

I made it to the South Island, which looks like something out of Avatar!

Our first stop was Kateriteri in the Abel Tasman National Park which apparently is the only place in New Zealand with yellow sand beaches. The full day we had there was absolutely lush weather which meant our sail boat trip was perfect! There weren't actually that many people from Kiwi Experience on the boat but there were a lot from the Stray Bus which meant we got to mingle with some different people. 

Kiwi Adventures: Rotorua & Taupo

Back again! I'm getting these posts up everytime I have wifi so are not in real time by any stretch!

So Rotorua was the first place that I hopped off the bus and  stayed longer than everyone else, it was sad to say goodbye to my first bus but now that I've had a few different buses familiar faces are cropping up all over the place. 

Kiwi Adventures: Hobbiton Set Tour

A highlight of my New Zealand trip so far has to be the Hobbiton Set Tour because how can it not be? It's like how people come to England for Harry Potter sets but for Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit over here.

I have to admit I had only seen the first Hobbit movie before visiting the set so I couldn't always get references or wasn't as excited as maybe I would have been but it was a really cool experience either way!

Kiwi Adventures: Auckland & Hot Water Beach & Waitomo

I've finally got a bit of time (and wifi!) to do a little update as to what I've been doing for the last few days since arriving in New Zealand.

I landed in Auckland about mid evening as all my flights were delayed and, after I managed to find some dinner, I went back to my hostel to sleep and was a bit unnerved at how unsociable my röoom was! I was suddenly questioning what the hell I was doing.