Sorry I don't have a picture here, but look up pounamu, a green stone also known as NZ jade.
There was a picture of it in the Queenstown pics (kiwi park), but that's what is used for one of the types of jewelry sold here (a lot of necklaces).  The other popular jewelry is made from the paua shell.
Mon 3/25:  bus ride to start of Routeburn; saw sheep, cows, deer.  Sheep population is down from 40 million to 34 million.  Had a stop for scones and tea.
The hike was more challenging than I anticipated.  I felt badly that I was always last (Rich called me Aunt Adele).  I told people that I was just taking time to enjoy the scenery.  Other excuse was that we were the oldest people doing the walk.  We did enjoy meeting the others in the group (24 total).
Of course the scenery would have been better if it didn't RAIN all day Tues.  That made the rocks slippery/very dicey; and for those who haven't heard, Rich fell while letting someone pass, hit his left hand on a rock, and broke his 5th metacarpal.  He hiked for about 2 hours until we got to the lunch hut, where we learned that the guides had basically no first-aid supplies.  We improvised by using a spoon for a splint.  Rich could use it to stir his tea.  No ibuprofen until we got to the lodge for the night.  Glad to take off the WET clothes and sloshy boots.
The walk was easier Wed with more downhill and less rocky terrain, but my toes and calves were painful.  The sun came out as we were leaving the park, so the pictures of the lake from the bus are nice.
Went straight to the Queenstown A&E to get an X-ray.  As Lauren said, we couldn't wait until Monday, our first day of work, to start learning about the Kiwi healthcare system.
Hike pics:   https://picasaweb.google.com/115133267095590644390/Routeburn?authuser=0&feat=directlink
After casting the hand, back to the French restaurant for dinner.
Today's expressions:
it's not study abroad,  students here go for OE (overseas experience) 
sorry I didn't ring last night
that's brilliant
Foods:  who's used vegemite spread?
most delicious apples!!
fresh OJ lacking
ginger beer is a popular drink
We're trying to eat local products
I have not been successful in giving up diet Cokes, and Rich is having a little withdrawal from house hunters.  TV is really bad here.