Twizel Calling!

Well, I've finally managed to find a spare moment to update this! We are having a fab time, don't want to spend too long in here so please forgive the vague entries! Plus I want to tell everyone all about it when I get home!Friday 12th November:We got to the airport about 6.30pm and checked in. We ate, wandered a bit and finally bordered about 11pm - the flight was slightly delayed. The flight wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be - I slept most of the way! Saturday 13th November:We landed at 6.50pm local time in Singapore. We got a cab to the Swissotel. Our room was lovely! After a little rest and a quick shower and change, we went to the Night Safari. There was a tram ride through there which was great. Very peaceful. We walked the leopard trail, which included a stroll through the bat enclosure! Just after midnight we headed back to the hotel for bed.Sunday 14th November:We got up about 10am and had breakfast before heading out. We had a quick look at The Raffles Hotel then hit the shopping mall. We were going to have a wander outside, but a torrential rainstorm changed our minds for a while. Once the rain had stopped we popped over to the Chijmes and browsed the shops. Then it was off to the Long Bar for a Singapore Sling! Mmmmmm - I like those! Then it was off to another mall and a little rest along by the river. We had a few hours to kill before the flight and we were knackered so we went to the cinema to see Cellular - very good! Then it was back to the hotel to pick up our bags before catching a cab to the airport. Monday 15th November:We landed in Sydney at 11am and cabbed it to the hotel in Bondi. Our suite was fab! Huge! After a shower and change we wandered along the beach before getting a cab into the city. Seeing the Opera House and the bridge for the first time - it finally sunk in...we were in Australia!!! We walked along the bridge, went up the sky tower and did the skyride before heading back to the hotel.Tuesday 16th November:Got up at 7.30am, had breakfast and then we were picked up by Bruce and Barry on the Harleys! We had a 90 minute tour of Sydney, which was incredible! I was with Bruce who was very chatty and told me loads about the city aswell as pointing out Nicole Kidman's and Russell Crowe's homes! They dropped us off at the Opera House and we caught the ferry to Taronga Zoo. That was great fun - had photos with koalas. Awwwww. They have some very weird animals over here! Then it was back on the ferry and off for a tour of the Opera House. Our guide Adam was great. The Opera House is amazing! Learned all about the history pf the place - very interesting! After that it was pretty much time to go to the Bridge Climb HQ. Once we were checked in we had a safety briefing, we had to sign consent forms and be breathalised! Then we were given our jumpsuits - mmmm very sexy! Then it was off for the harness fitting and the radio and lamp fittings. We had a practice run over a little bridge, then it was off to the real thing. It was quite scary at first, everyone was clinging on for dear life! The views were amazing! We had photos throughout the climb including one at the very top. It's quite an amazing feeling - being at the very top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge! Then we had the climb back down. We saw the sunset, then stolled down in the dark. It was great to see the views of the city both in the light and the dark. We were given certificates and photos once we got back to HQ. Then it was time to get a taxi back to the hotel.Wednesday 17th November:Up at 7.30am again. Today we headed off to the Olympic Park. The stadium in amazing1 We took the tour - got to see the view of the pitch from the highest level, the media boxes, the commentator box, the member's lounge, the changing rooms (yep, had a photo in the cubicle Jonny used!) and then wandered down to the sidelines for a closer look at the pitch before having photos on the Olympic medal podium. Then we had a quick look at the pool before going up to the 17th floor of the Novotel Hotel for a great view of the whole park. Then it was back on the train and back to the city for a walk up the bridge pylon to take some photos. Sydney has far too many steps! Then it was back to Bondi for a massage. Oh my God! It was amazing! Then we had dinner before heading off to the cinema to see Bridget Jones - not as good as I thought it would be,Thursday 18th November:Up at 6.15am to get to the airport. When we got there Val realised she had left her purse at the hotel, so she phoned them and they got it sent over in a cab. Once that drama was over, we wandered the shops before boarding our flight to Christchurch. Slept most of teh way again! Got a taxi to the hotel, very basic after the last two, but we had a room each in our little apartment. We had a rest, then showered and changed and headed into the town centre. Okay, can see why Jorn recommended not to come here - it's a bit dull! We had dinner then Val went to her concert and I went to the cinema. Saw The Polar Express - it was fab! When I left the cinema the Cathedral was all lit up and there was Christmas music coming from it, it was such a lovely moment! I guess you had to be there! Then I got a taxi back to the hotel and waited for Val to return.Friday 19th November:Up at 8am, picked up by the Kea man at 9am and taken to the depot to pick up our motorhome. The nice man took us round the van and showed us how everything worked, By 11.30am we were on the road. We decided to head fro Twizel. We stopped a couple of times along the way for photos of the amazing landscapes! This place is beautiful! We parked up at a Motor Park in Twizel, had a wander into the town, which is consists of about 7 shops and a couple of cafes and tea rooms, then went back to the van for dinner and bed.Saturday 20th November:We did set the alarm for 7am, but when it went off we heard rain so we went back to sleep. Eventually got up about 9am, showered and dressed then drove into town. Got our photos put onto CDs in the shop that LOTR used! Then booked our tour to Pelennor Fields. We were picked up at 1pm by Tony who drove us up there. It is amazing! We stood right where Theoden did his speech before they charged and we saw the fields where the battle took place. We had silly Rohan and orc photos taken - it had to be done! Tony played an orc in the battle. Then it was back to town for fish and chips. Right now I am sitting in the Visitor Information Centre. Right, had best be off. Places to go and all that. I'll be back in a few days hopefully!