Thank god we saved ourselves for ‘something a little higher’. That
thing was a 12,000 foot tandem skydive each.

We had booked in for 1pm but an inversion layer cloud meant we were to
call back at 2.30pm. At about 1.30 the clouds started breaking up and
by 3pm there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. We were assigned our jump
masters, Eugene and Geoff and given ridiculous outfits to wear.

Before we knew it we were circling up to altitude staring out at the
frankly stunning scenery. Then the door opened…

The 2 other guys on our flight were gone in seconds and all of a
sudden it was really happening. Jen went first and then it was my
turn. Head back, legs up, breathe in and whoosh!

The falling sensation lasted a few seconds and then it was the ride
our lives. The instructors gave us a few spins and made sure we waved
to the camera before our 45 seconds of freefall were over. Then the
lovely parachutes opened and all was calm floating over snowy
mountains and just beautiful scenery.

We floated back to earth with amazing precision and had a big hug to
celebrate.

We still can’t believe we did it and keep looking at each other in
amazement. It truly is a highlight in our lives and something we will
never forget. For those who need proof we both have DVDs of our jumps
with Jen’s having some great facial expressions.

On a bizzarre note, as we were about to get on the plane two people
getting of were James and Kerry who we first met in Malaysia. We then
met them in a campsite kitchen in Te Anau and here they were. They’re
really nice and its good fun to share travelling stories. They have
some great tales involving wild animals! We met up for a few beers
tonight to share jump stories and we will probably meet up again in
ournext campsite. It truly is a small world.

Wow! What a day!! Can’t believe we did it. Again! Again!

We left Queenstown (which we weren’t keen on – very touristy) this
morning and drove the short distance North to Wanaka.

We sorted out our campsite for tonight and then headed our for a
scenic picnic looking out at the beautiful snowy mountains, pretty
idyllic.

The afternoon was spent firstly at a place called Have a Shot where
you can clay pigeon shoot, hit golf balls, have a go at archery, shoot
rifles etc. We both did the archery and then Ben shot the rifle and
did very well – we have his best target to prove it (see photo).

After that was a microbrewery to taste some beers which were
delicious. Then to Puzzle World for a museum of optical illusions and
a huge maze which thankfully we found our way out of…eventually.

Tonight we’re going to treat ourselves to a curry and a pint of the
beer we tasted earlier.

Wanaka is really nice so we’ll stick around for a couple of days we
think. The weather is even good! Maybe a walk tomorrow.

Arrived in Queenstown early so had time to have a quick wander around
and grab lunch before heading over to the Shotover Jet boat.
Essentially it’s a scaled up jetski that carries 14 passengers and
flies through canyons at breakneck speed interspersed with 360 degree
spins. We managed to get front row seats with Jen at the edge. It was
amazing how close the driver got to the rocks and people’s screams
only made him get closer!

Then it was off to watch people bungy over the Kawaru river. Most
people leapt straight off but a couple needed some pursasion before
they went. Pretty funny but we decided to pass as we’re saving money
for something a little bigger.

From rainy Christchurch we drove further South to perhaps even
rainier Dunedin for a stop-over before heading West. We did have time
for some bargain fish & chips though – NZ$5.60 which is about £2.50
between the 2 of us for a lot of food! Crazy. Also popped into the
fantastic railway station before we left early the next morning.

The drive West to Te Anau was broken up by a stop for lunch in Lumsden
which we had to stop in cos Lumsden is Robyn & Ken’s surname and they
haven’t been there. Further West the mountains got bigger and snowier
and the sun finally came out.

With a base in Te Anau we drove this morning (Saturday) the 2 hours to
Milford Sound through a magnificent pass where we went on a 2 hour
cruise – see Ben enjoying the sun in front of Mitre Point in the photo.

We sailed through Milford Sound, past the Cleddau River which feeds
it, past Mount Pembroke and out to the sea at St Ann’s Point. Can you
guess where the 1st European to find the fiord came from? Correct –
Milford Haven in Pembs, good old South West Wales. Wierd.

After more warming fish & chips tonight, we’re up early again tomorrow
to go to Queenstown.