Wet & cold in NZ

After wonderful 30 degree temperatures in Fiji we headed back to New Zealand to explore the South Island. After a slight hitch with trying to hire a camper we were back on the road - 2500km in 11 days...

We headed straight towards the mountains, stopping in at Lake Tekapo on the way. It was an awe inspiring place - eerie still blue waters with a backdrop of the Southern Alps. High recommended to all. After a night in Twizel we drove up to Mount Cook - NZ's highest point. Unfortunately it was a bit cloudy so we didn't manage to see the peak but it was amazing to be surrounded by such magnificent scenery.

On the way back we popped in the free CD that we got given at Grace Community Church in LA - can see why John McArthur is so highly rated as a preacher - all good stuff.

After Mt Cook we wove our way down to Queenstown, the adventure capital of NZ. It was freezing!!! The most adventurous thing we did was to take a ride on the cable car to the top of the hill - it even started snowing on our way up. This presented a tricky scenario as were lacking in any sort of cold weather clothing - cue ridiculous beanie hats.

After staying in Queenstown for a couple of nights we made our way to Milford Sound in Fjordland. It was so stunning to go on a cruise as giant granite mountains rose out of the glacial waters (It also helped that it didn't rain while we were there!). The drive to the sound was the most beautiful drive ever - despite the continuous signs warning of avalanches and icy surfaces...

Heading up from Milford we stayed in Arrowtown, which used to be an old Gold town with a lot of Chinese immigrants - the Chinese village was slightly underwhelming but the surroundings were as beautiful as usual and the town was very quaint.

Kat decided that she had had enough of Ben's driving and wanted to drive the next leg - little did she know what lay ahead on the scenic route to Wanaka - steep inclines, hairpin bends, sheer drops and no safety barriers meant that nerves were frayed and patience tested! However, we arrived safe and sound in lovely, lovely Wanaka for pies and a walk around the another amazingly picturesque lake.

The next morning after breakfast we zoomed up the west coast to Fox glacier (like the mint!) and the rain returned. After lunch we had a walk to the glacier face before spending the next night near Franz Josef glacier. As it was absolutely freezing and wet we decided to splash the cash and spend an extra tenner on a motel room - free soup, popcorn and Back to the Future on video (Kat's choice) along with an ensuite bathroom meant a real luxury experience.

Up early the next day we made a start for Franz Josef glacier. Not dissuaded by the pouring rain we armed our selves with cheap beanies and novelty statue of liberty ponchos and headed out into the abyss! Soaked to the bone we made it to our intended destination and a couple of quick photos (and amusing video) later we were on our way to the van and warmth! Kat, whose usually "jogs" consist of a slow 100m plod was so excited by the prospect of this she managed to sprint the whole way back across the rough terrain of the glacial valley, maybe 2 miles in length. Truely a sight to behold. Unfortunately Ben, held back by dodgy knees and soggy jeans had to make do with a slow trudge. Back in the van, wet clothes were discarded and shorts, t-shirts and flip-flops were donned for the drive back to town in search of lunch.

Fed and warmed we got back in our trusty van and drove barefoot to Punakaki - where the rocks have formed into strange pancake stacks. Unfortunately due to Health and safety you couldn't really get close so we had to satisfy ourselves with pics from a distance.

After the pancakes it was the long drive to the East coast and Kaikoura, place of whale watching and seals. The previous evening we had been told of a place where baby seals were to be found so we made a beeline straight away to the place. Some directions from a grizzled roadside crayfish seller and a short hike up a stream and we found it. Wow! - six baby seals splashing around in a pool beneath a gushing waterfall while two older seals kept watch. It was captivating to watch these little pups jumping around and play fighting. Our intended whale watching experience didn't materialise as it was sold out (and horrendously expensive) then it was the short(ish) drive back down the coast to Christchurch.

We spent an afternoon looking around the city centre, a market and bought some souvenirs. It was all very British (including the weather!). But all in all not much to say about the place. A last night at our final stop and we headed to the local baptist Church before getting the flight to Sydney.

Halfway through it was forty days down with forty to go!!!!