New Zealand is stunningly beautiful!

That's all we really need to say but that would leave this blog entry a little bit brief. So to elaborate, it has taken all the best bits of other countries and rolled them into one - Scotland, Canada, Switzerland, America, Norway, Iceland, France, Nepal, Laos and of course Hobbiton! Stunning doesn't really do justice to some of the Majestic Mountains in the South Island - it was by far our favourite.

But as with all beautiful scenic places NZ does have a touch of the "parochial" about it - if you've seen "Flight of the Conchords", Murray really does exist! That's not saying that Kiwis are unfriendly but perhaps some are not so worldly and are used to their own patch and their own habits!

An amusing example of this was when we were trying to find the Ferry Terminal in Auckland. We harmlessly popped into what seemed like some sort of tourist office to ask for quick directions only to be met with a look of horror from the man behind the desk, and a rather perplexed "I'm National Parks" response. However, he did eventually deviate from his job description just enough to tell us it was just down the road on the right!

We also had another "affronted" encounter at the tourist office in Rotaru. We were just enquiring into "what you could do/what was cheap enough to get a look in on our budget", when the offer of going to see some "sheep shearing" was put to us. We said thanks very much but we're Scottish and pointed out that we have lots of our own sheep back home - this was met with a look that said "that'll be the last piece of helpful advice you'll be getting from me, and what's wrong with sheep shearing tourism anyway?"

There's more..... when in a pub in Queenstown Graham was caught "slightly mocking" the accent of a local. Let's just say this didn't go down well and it was pointed out for his own benefit that "it was a small town" (although we had worked that out already).

So what else were we doing except gawping at scenery and trying to understand the Kiwi psyche....FISHING! Graham was partaking in this Kiwi way of life all day every day - well not quite all day seen as the best times for fishing are early morning and evening. Sadly, even I know where and when it's good to fish these days!! But his efforts were rewarded - we've had Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Carroway and Mullet for tea! Graham even got taken out by a bunch of Kiwi's on an old boys boat - they thought he was an amateur but he caught the only 2 fish!

However, not all Kiwis pass the time with hobbies as sedate and tranquil as fishing. No, you can ramp up the adrenalin and pretty much throw yourself off anything around here - bungy off bridges, glide off mountains and roll yourself down hills in giant hamster balls!..........maybe next time........

More photos - China this time!

Be warned there are a few of them.....
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=166528&id=810223271&l=2ea07a0b5f

Photos from Laos!

With Graham fishing 24/7 in New Zealand I'm getting plenty of time to catch up with all these photos.....only Thailand, China, Hong Kong, Australia and NZ to go now! You did say you wanted to see some photos??......and don't worry, I'm not posting all 7,000!!!

www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=163195&id=810223271&l=208fa87fcb

Photies from Japan!

I'm getting the hang of this now!!

More photos from Japan are on facebook or you should be able to get them with links below:-
www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=161027&id=810223271&l=3c135d5f81

and from the Whisky Society:-
www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=162795&id=810223271&l=eae78d28eb