Where was I last? Kaikoura I think. Finished everything I needed to do late so went to the only open restaurant for some Mussels. The white wine, cream, garlic and chilli sauce (big thumbs up to Kiwi cooking) was fantastic but the Mussels were huge - like 16-17cm long! First time I've ever had to cut a Mussel in half just to fit it in my mouth....

After that I drove down to Christchurch by way of the Banks Peninsula and Akoara which was formed by a massive volcano blast some time ago. It used to be forested but the early french settlers chopped them all down to give their cows somewhere to go. There's a really nice scenic route that goes all the way around the top before plunging down to the town itself which, in typical Chirac fashion, clings on to the french language even though only 63 settlers initially went there. What is it with the french and their language? If it was any good, everyone would speak it - so get over it already! :) Here's a pic anyway:

Christchurch itself is okay but a bit too English looking. Having said that I only got here after dark so can't really comment. Went for an Indian to see how New Zealand fares on the RSCI (Red Squirrel Civilisation Index) and a good showing places it firmly in second place behind Sydney. Full results will be published after the Hong Kong round.

Today was an early start (ish) on the long (7 hour) drive to Queenstown (where I am now). There are very few places to pass but thankfully the long trips to Middlesborough have meant I can now cope with sitting behind slow traffic for tens of miles without clawing my own eyeballs out through sheer frustration. The road is flat and boring until you turn off at Geraldine, then it climbs to a high plateau with views to the huge mountain range that runs through the country, thus:

Lots of big lakes and hydro power stations through this part. Absolutely amazing views! The road then starts to get hilly and then mountainy as you drive along the valley south of Twizel (yes, really), as can be seen from these pics.

The blue line on the horizon isn't the sea, but where the cloud abruptly stops and blue sky starts - which is probably above the sea then! The drive then gets even less crowded and the gaps between farms gets bigger. Also trees start appearing in greater numbers as the drive reaches Wanaka (well worth a visit).

Nice bridge that! I chose to go via Wanaka rather than the bigger road because it meant I could take the mountain pass from Wanaka to Queenstown which was the highlight of today. Gently rolling curves along the valley surrounded by trees yellowing due to the onset of autumn before the climb up to the mountain pass (often closed due to snow in the winter) and then a proper switchback road down to the valley and lake of Queenstown. Here's a pic from the top of the pass, plus one of Queenstown itself. Now I'm going to have a beer and some food (possibly). Maybe two beers... :)