Christchurch

Spent the first night in a delightful B&B in Christchurch then moved aboard our 'Kiwi Land Yacht' the next day. The campervan was home for the next three weeks as we toured the South Island, spending two weeks there, then did a ferry crossing to the North Island for the remaining week. We covered over 4,000 KM and found the campervan to be quite convenient although the particular model we had was a new one with many problems ... to begin with having the wrong Instruction Manual!

Had time for a few sights in town such as walking through the park and seeing the punts on the Avon.  A visit to the rosegarden was colorful and here's a thorn between the roses.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

South Island       (click on the links to see photos then use your browser's 'back' button to return)

Our first night 'on the road' was at Lake Tekapo, where we did a short hike with the first of many beautiful vistas to come.

We hiked every chance we got and were fortunate to have perfect weather except for the day we spent on the Fox Glacier when it was cloudy but didn't matter as we were watching each step to place our crampons (ice spikes attached to our boots)! We hiked on Mount Cook, Gertrude Valley in the Milford Sound area, Rob Roy valley and Diamond Lake near Wanaka, part of the Abel Tasman Freedom Trail, and part of the Queen Charlotte track.
 

We went further south than we've been before ... well beyond this sign.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

We departed the South Island from Picton and arrived there by driving through a small roadside brush fire.  Within two hours the town was threatened by a wild brush fire!  We captured these scenes of the fire and helicopter firefighting.  The fire was under control but still with some hot spots the next day as we departed on the ferry.

North Island       (click on the links to see photos then use your browser's 'back' button to return)

Our weather luck held when we hiked the Tangariro Crossing (17K, 6hrs) with perfect views ... saw Mt Egmont 320 KM away .. but then the weather closed in for the remainder of our stay.

The weather didn't bother our next adventure .. blackwater rafting in the Waitomo Caves.

We stopped for a look at the bubbling mud and mineral-colored lakes at the Rotorua region.

We visited amateur radio friends for a first-time 'eyeball' conversation (QSO) and enjoyed their hospitality ... Tony (ZL1ATE) and his wife Margaret and Fin (ZL4HI) and his wife Tammy. Also got to meet Dave (ZL3DM) for the first time.

Seems there is never enough time to do every place justice and New Zealand was no exception!