Photo update of south island adventures!

I have managed to scrounge up enough money (after paying for my many excellent adventure activities) to find enough internet time to upload, compress, and post a few of my pictures for your viewing enjoyment. Tomorrow I head out on the glacier hike, while Fi will do some kayaking. I should get to bed soon, as it's nearly midnight and we have to make an early start tomorrow. So, with that, here's what Fi and I have been up to since Monday:

I've been in NZ for 2 1/2 months now, and I still hate seafood so much that I chose to stick my head in my trailmix bag and sniff while we walked by the smoked fish shop in Nelson (notice my fabulous new "NZ Identity" shoulder bag!).

On our first night of Kiwi Ex in Nelson we collectively bought Matt (from England) a jug of beer if he agreed to shave his head. Here it is in action.

We've been hanging out with these two hooligans, among others, since Day 1 - Scott and Ben, both from England.

We stopped at Lake Rotoiti for lunch, and our bus driver Mangee offered a free pint (or jug?) for the first person to dive off the dock into the frigid water. Kelly and Ste chose to pose nicely instead.

Fish won the free beer!

Jetboating on the Buller River en route to Westport.

We had a bonfire on the beach in Westport. Fiona and I took every opportunity to sing around the campfire.

Whilst taking a picture of my feet in the Tasman Sea, as per mom's photo challenge request, the tide came in, leaving me with wet jeans and a friend (Tiffany, my fellow Canadian!) who was eager to take my picture.

One of the many beautiful scenes at the Cape Foulwind Walkway.

I had to pose by the crazy sign at Cape Foulwind. How far to Vancouver?

The big green Kiwi Experience bus!

We stopped at the Irimahuwhero lookout point to take pictures. This doesn't do it justice - I actually got choked up as we drove past because it really was that beautiful.

On our way to Lake Mahinapua we stopped at the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks. It was a gorgeous day, and the sun was warm and bright, making the walk enjoyable (maybe almost too hot), and the pictures vibrant.

Maddie (from England) and I picked up skipping stones from the beach at Mahinapua.

Last night we had a "T" Party at our hostel in Mahinapua. Scott (England), James (Northern Ireland), and Liam (Dublin) all went in togas.

Fish in her Maori costume (mentioned - and likely horribly misspelled - in the last post)

Jauma and Lewis went as tramps, while Maddie and I went as trailer trash twins. We even had matching travel pillows under our shirts! I know, I know, it's classy. What can I say? (It was especially entertaining to explain to Jauma, who is from Barcelona and doesn't speak very good English, how we wanted to pose in these awful costumes with him)

Jade, Craig, and Claire (Scotland) = tribal

Lewis (from Wales) got up-close and personal with his new girlfriend, a thar, at the Bushman Cafe, en route to Franz Josef this morning.

Our first peek of the Franz Josef glacier this afternoon, which we will be hiking all day tomorrow.

One of my favourite pictures from the last few days. Maddie has written in the sand the name of each country she's visited. This was taken yesterday, late afternoon - a beautiful day at Lake Mahinapua.