In hindsight the making noises and swimming around made no difference, the doplhins swam around us - sometimes swimmining straight at us - and changed direction at the last second. They were within touching distance, but knew how to be just out of reach. It was an awesome experience. They are masters in the water and we splashed around hoping for their attention.

Friday 23rd May - Day 110 remains copyright of the author rajchopra, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Nothing has changed since the last vist, but we're still northbound. It's quite slow here, so we can recharge our batteries.

It's also Champions the League final today. I go to a pub at 7:00am full of Chelsea and Manchester United fans. I end up sitting next to some rowdy Manchester United fans. It was obviously a little early for them too as they probably hadn't showered. Not too early to drink beer though ??? Why they chose to applaud substitutions, swear at opposition players and sing chants is a little beyond me. It's not as though the players could hear them. The guy next to me kept on screaming things like, "f*ing get up Ballack, you f*ing girl." Charming.

We leave Christchurch and on the way drop in at an animal sanctuary to see Kiwis, among other things. The Kiwi is a very strange creature indeed. It likes quiet and darkness; not the best formula in which to observe them. It was very difficult to make them out in the enclosure, a little bit of a let down to be honest. I was very tempted to point my pocket torch at them so I could see properly.

Another drive follows, towards Kikora. The roads can be a little deserted (apologies if I have printed this picture before)

Thursday 22nd May - Day 109 remains copyright of the author rajchopra, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Wednesday 21st May - Day 108 remains copyright of the author rajchopra, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Tuesday 20th May - Day 107 remains copyright of the author rajchopra, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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More driving - off to see Lake Takepo

Monday 19th May - Day 106 remains copyright of the author rajchopra, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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We're circling around now and heading north.

Sunday 18th May - Day 105 remains copyright of the author rajchopra, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Then driving again.

Saturday 17th May - Day 104 remains copyright of the author rajchopra, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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It's a little cold this time of year, but the sights are well worth seeing as shown in the photographs. When we reach the outer edge of Doubtful sound the boat engine is turned off and we are asked for complete silence for a couple of minutes. Looking around, the place is as nature intended and was probably exactly the same thousands of years ago.

Friday 16th May - Day 103 remains copyright of the author rajchopra, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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We then drive towards Doubtful Sound - named after cCaptai Cookhtought it would be doubtful a ship could sfely sail in and sail back out again. It fact it's not a sound but a fjord (a long, narrow arm of the sea bordered by steep cliffs, usually formed by glacial erosion.).

Doubftful is the lesser known of the two main fjords in New Zealand, the other being Milford Sound. This will be the visit tomorrow. We head towards Manapouri to camp.

Thursday 15th May - Day 102 remains copyright of the author rajchopra, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Wednesday 14th May - Day 101 remains copyright of the author rajchopra, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Today I get to walk over a glacier called, Fox Glacier. There are only two places in the world where temperate glaciers exist: Argentina and New Zeland. Walking over the ice isn't the hardest part of the walk, it's walking for three quarters of an hour up a mountain to get to it. We're given crampons to put on our walking boots to walk over the ice. It's almost a unique experience but not a difficult one to participate in. We're quite safe walking over what is basically a huge piece of ice.

It's a photo opportunity and a chance to drink pure meting ice water. An experience to remember.

We drive on to Wanaka.

Tuesday 13th May - Day 100 remains copyright of the author rajchopra, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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There's a 'photographer' who's been there since dawn and wants the perfect shot.

He turns out to be an architect from Kansas, USA. He normally works 2 weeks and travels 2 weeks all year round. He leaves his wife at the Hilton Hotel or equivalent while he pursues his hobby. Unfortunately, there aren't any similar jobs available in his office as I should be happy to do the same.

Monday 12th May - Day 99 remains copyright of the author rajchopra, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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The views of rolling hills, countryside, quiet, winding roads, forests will be an everyday occurrence from now on.

We arrive at Lake Matheson, early evening and free camp in the car park. Lake Matheson is renowned for it's stillness and mirrored look when their are no ducks swimming across it causing ripples.

A walk in the dark to the lakeside doesn't achieve a lot, but it is very peaceful nonetheless.

Sunday 11th May - Day 98 remains copyright of the author rajchopra, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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The lay-by we have parked on has a walk coming off it called 'the chasm walk' which heads into the forest. We decide to try the walk before we move off. It leads us through the forest and to a pretty running stream and a bridge. It's very quiet pretty and idyllic and we take a few photographs.

A little bird (a robin) appears and starts stamping his foot very quickly. It's standing on the footsteps we have just taken. Then it pecks on the ground and pulls out grubs to eat. It doesn't seem too bothered by us. In fact, it's within a metre of me and next to my rucksack that I have just put on the floor. For the next 5 minutes or so he has us transfixed watching him. We are at one with nature. He flies up and perches on my bag - wow. Then he spoils it all by doing a big poop. Thanks little robin.

We go back to the campervan and I drive a little further along Arthurs pass. Another walk takes us to see a waterfall. Again quite pretty.

We drive on and get to a campsite - Jackson's retreat. it turns be one of, if not the best, campsite we stay at in New Zealand. There are showers, a kitchen and a lounge. Everything is in brand new condition. And tonight there are no other guests on the site.

Saturday 10th May - Day 97 remains copyright of the author rajchopra, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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We hire a campervan, which we pick up from the airport - not quite as new as we were led to believe - and it takes a little time to book out, sign, pay, etc, but it's getting late now and we're (that's me) ready to start driving. It's 6.6m long and 2.7m high. It feels like driving a truck, it's got a shower, toilet, sink, cooker, beds and will be the tin can I'm in for an average of 15 hours a day for for the next 26 days.

We decide to head over Arthurs pass, which is a road from Christchurch to the west coast of the south island. I'm hoping we can drive accross the whole of it today. At around 5:30pm it get's dark but I would prefer to carry on driving until we reach a campsite called 'Jacksons Retreat.' Unfortunatley, we have a difference of opinion as my travel companion strongly objects to 'driving at night and missing the views.' This turns out not to be the last of our disagreements but I'll refrain from chronichling.

We 'free camp' (that means staying in the campervan but not at a camp site) in a lay-by on the side of the road for the night. There is enough water onboard to have 3 very quick showers and to be able to wash dishes, etc in the sink. The heater and microwave only work if the campervan is plugged in at a campsite. It's a little cold at night so the hot water bottles we bought will turn out to be handy.

Friday 9th May - Day 96 remains copyright of the author rajchopra, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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However, my new travel companion seems to have a different mind set and it's like looking at the rabbit from Alice in wonderland: Looking at her watch and frantically trying to rush here and there.

I propose we stay in Christchurch another day and hope this calms her down little, as I can't be dealing with running around. Early evening we look at a campervan as this is to be our main mode of transport - not my choice.

The rest of the day is spent visiting the botanical gardens again and wondering around souvenir shops.

This is a picture of the centre of Christchurch. If you visit here in the near future, you will find it's quite easy to find your way around using the centre as a reference, helped by a free map from a Tourist Information office. You will also find a guy with 'Special Needs' playing a recorder or similar musical wind instrument and making a good living from it. And a guy in a kilt trying to look scottish and doing his dare devil act of lying on broken glass.

Thursday 8th May - Day 95 remains copyright of the author rajchopra, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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How ironic, in the country I was expecting least problems with and beggining my visit with the most positive vibe, I have to dodge being involved in a fight with a moron !

The rest of the day is uneventful and I return to my hostel and a quiet evening.

Wednesday 7th May - Day 94 remains copyright of the author rajchopra, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Arrived in Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand around 3pm local time. A friendly minibus service at the airport takes us to the hostel we are staying at.

The temperature is a little lower in New Zealand, it's going into their winter. There's a familiar feel about New Zealand - a little English. There are only a million people who live in the South Island and because it is the low season for tourists it seems slow, quiet and relaxed; I'm sure this is partly due to my preconceptions of New Zealand.

We visit the local botanical gardens - a very big park, there's a lot of space here.

Tuesday 6th May - Day 93 remains copyright of the author rajchopra, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Tomorrow morning I am leaving Australia for New Zealand, so this will be virtually the last major thing I see of Australia.

The sight of the Blue mountains and a visit to a local waterfall does not disappoint.

Monday 5th May - Day 92 remains copyright of the author rajchopra, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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It's my birthday and nobody sent me a card. That's it, you are all off my Christmas card list !

Revisited sights for the benefit of my travelling companion: Sydney Opera House, Paddys market,Botanical gardens.

In the evening went to a Vietnamese restaurant with Pat, it would be the last time we meet up. I had the hottest starter I've ever had ! It was a sort of soup, I can't remember the name, but the restaurant made it specially hot for us. It was filing and delicious and I ended up taking the rest of the meal away to eat later.
Another day flies by.

Sunday 4th May - Day 91 remains copyright of the author rajchopra, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Said my farewells to Pat today and thank you very much for looking after me for the last few days.

I revisited Manley beach. It must be great to have a beach like this near your door step. There are people jogging, playing beach volley ball and surfers trying to catch the waves. And the inevitable tourists like me.

The return ferry trip takes me back to near Sydney Opera House an another look at it. At about 6pm I head to the airport by train to meet my hanger-on. Beware if you make the same trip as you are charged an extra fare at the airport to come in; the station is privately owned.

At 7:30 pm we finally meet. We travel back by train to hostel where we are staying for the night called, 'X-Base' in Sydney. Unfortunately, the hostel is next door to a nightclub so it's 3 in the morning before everything quietens down and we can sleep.

Saturday 3rd May - Day 90 remains copyright of the author rajchopra, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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I spend a few hours wondering around the aquarium in Sydney. I'm not sure how it compares to other aquariums, but there's a lot to see.

Next I go to Paddy's market. At last, somewhere where stuff is cheap. There are loads of stalls selling everything from fruit to clothes, souvenirs, normal stuff you would find at any market.

Manly beach is less well known than Bondi but I’m told it’s worth a visit. I run out of time getting from Paddy’s market to the ferry that takes you to the beach so cut my trip short and head back to Sydney central taking a brief look at Sydney Opera House and Bridge as they are lit up in the evening, just to get a different perspective.

At about 7pm when Pat and Mai have finished work we meet up to go out to a restaurant - it’s a Korean – never had Korean before. The food is good. I can’t really describe the differences between Chinese, Thai and Vietnamese food but if it tastes good that’s all that counts.

We order our food and we have to cook the meat ourselves. In the middle of the table is like gas burner/ barbequing plate – this is new to me. A good night out was had by all

Friday 2nd May - Day 89 remains copyright of the author rajchopra, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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I've been looking forward to seeing Sydney Opera House for a long time. How does it compare to the Lotus Temple in India ?

Queen Street is the main street running through Sydney and leads up to Sydney Harbour. I catch my first glimpse of the Opera House as I cross the road and walk towards the sea. Yes, it's really impressive. It's a warm sunny day and the famous white, ship's sail-like features of Sydney Opera House are unmistakable. It takes about 5 minutes to walk up to it, but this takes longer as Sydney bridge is in view too.

A long line of about 30 steps are just in front of Sydney Opera House and you need to climb these to get closer. I walk closer and closer almost expecting to be stopped from touching it by security or somebody. No problem. Compared to the Lotus Temple it is on a grander stage. Where the Lotus Temple is one big arena, the Opera House has more levels inside, more rooms, has the functions of a concert hall and is bigger over all. It has cafes shops and restaurants around. Clearly, the Lotus Temple design has been influenced by Sydney Opera house, but it doesn't surpass it in splendor. I'll be back to see it a few times.

Sydney Tower

To see a high 360 degree view of Sydney you need to buy a ticket to go up Sydney Tower. There's also the opportunity to buy a ticket to do a walk outside the building over a glass floor, which didn’t really appeal. There’s a third thing you can do here and that is to see a short 3D show about Australia’s main attractions: The Great Barrier Reef, Outback, etc. The 3D show which is followed by a simulation ride through Australia is interesting but not unmissable. The view from the top of the tower is definitely worth doing and gives a you an idea of what a nice place Sydney is. It beats the view from the Empire State building of New York (a trip I did last year) easily.

Early evening, I go back to Pat’s and have a home cooked meal again - bonza!

Thursday 1st May - Day 88 remains copyright of the author rajchopra, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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I'm met by Patrick, who is a friend who use to live in Ipswich (England not Australia) who moved here a year ago with his wife Mia. They both work in Sydney. Pat's parents are over to visit them and I'm lucky enough to have a cozy bed for the night and home cooked Vietnamese food.

Pat notices I've got a tan from the last time we met. I notice he has lost weight - working too hard.

Has another calendar month really gone by ?

Wednesday 30th April - Day 87 remains copyright of the author rajchopra, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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At the end of the day I'm not really that familiar with Melbourne. People tell me it's a cosmopolitan town; I do see people from different backgrounds, but I haven't really spent enough time here to appreciate it.

In the evening I go out for a meal at a Thai restaurant. I'm the only one there, but I've eaten a lot of not so good food; takeaway food is cheap in Australia and everything else isn't. The food is good, but not terrific.

Back at the hostel I talk to some of the residents. They're about to revolt as they are fed up with the landlady. She leaves messages for them like, "If you leave dirty dishes in the kitchen, you are a loser". Most of the people staying there are there for at least a week, from what I can gather, and they are a little messy, but these notices seem a little unnecessary. I'm glad I'm leaving in the morning and won't be in broiled in this nonsense

Tuesday 29th April - Day 86 remains copyright of the author rajchopra, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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