We liked Christchurch – a ‘south of England’ kind of town
Including punting on the Avon River…
… and neo-gothic buildings!
The Banks Peninsula surrounds another safe harbour.
Richard Pearse Memorial recognising his flight earlier than the Wright Brothers!
Lake Tekapo – a very photographed lake.
And Lake Pukaki on the way to Mt Cook.
Mt Cook – New Zealand’s highest mountain…
… not quite Sir Edmund Hilary but we did start the climb!
Views during the ascent.
A family of Yellow-eyed penguins atop the cliff having climbed all the way from the beach.
It was amazing to get so close to them.
A sea lion lies in wait on the beach below for vulnerable penguins as they emerge from the sea.
The Moeraki Boulders – really weird!
Dunedin Train Station with its lovely stained glass window featuring an old steam train.
The Catlins Coast is a magnificent region with coastal as well as inland walks…
This bull sea lion was snoozing away the morning.
We enjoyed some lovely walks in the Catlins…
We enjoyed some lovely walks in the Catlins…
…but it is definitely time we headed back to the tropics!
At Bluff, the southernmost point of the South Island, we saw the rare pre-historic Tuatara.
We climbed another glacier on the way to Milford Sound…
Picturesque Mitre Peak at Milford Sound.
We took an Encounter Cruise on the Milford Sound…
We took an Encounter Cruise on the Milford Sound…
… and encountered these young fur seals sunning themselves.
Queenstown – home of Adrenaline Sports…
… but we enjoyed a sedate trip on the twin screw steam boat!
Keith was mad enough to do a Level 4 white water raft down the Shotover River!
The Shotover River.
The Mt Aspiring National Park crosses the Southern Alps to the west coast.
The magnificent west coast.
Fox Glacier
Franz Joseph Glacier
The west coast is notorious for its sandflies – we were sure we were bitten by ones this big!
The wild coast of Hokitika sweeps up driftwood and the locals make sculptures on the beach.
The pancake rocks at Punakaiki attract hordes of visitors.
We really enjoyed the Karamea region – and did some walks…
Limestone caves revealed magnificent sights…
Limestone caves revealed magnificent sights…
… and this Mirror Pool
The atmosphere is haunting.
These are wekas – flightless birds related to the kiwi – but much more inquisitive.
Di and Roy and their yacht GwenRoy where we stayed in Nelson.
… and the magnificent house they are building!
We visited the World of Wearable Art Museum – great fun. This piece is called ‘Grim Furry Tales’
One category is for bras – and this piece is called ‘A pair of Spitfires’
One category is for bras – and this piece is called ‘A pair of Spitfires’
But this one was our favourite – ‘The 34 Bee Cup’
This entire outfit was made from cotton buds!
This was one of several rings made for the Lord of the Rings film.
Pelorus Sound.
Captain Cook used this bay for refitting…
Captain Cook used this bay for refitting…
… the bay is almost unchanged today.
The views are tremendous.
The views are tremendous.
The views are tremendous.
The views are tremendous.
And the hiking is easy with water taxis dropping you off and picking you up at the next stop.
wellington 022
One category is for bras – and this piece is called ‘A pair of Spitfires’
Wellington – official capital of New Zealand – set in a lovely protected harbour…
…and the ‘Beehive’ – the modernist new Parliament Building
…and the neo-classical original Parliament Building!
As you can tell, we enjoyed the architecture of Wellington…
As you can tell, we enjoyed the architecture of Wellington…
As you can tell, we enjoyed the architecture of Wellington…
We also went to Te Papa, the national museum of New Zealand. This ‘modern’ Maori meeting house is built inside the museum.
This ‘Holden’ station wagon made out of corrugated iron tickled our fancy…
… as did this surfboard decorated with Paua Shell.
This site near Wellington featured in Lord of the Rings as Rivendell – beautiful!
…and this became Isengard.
…and this became Isengard.
Another Lord of the Rings site – the river Anduin!
Mt Taranaki (Egmont) – at last visible after the clouds lifted!
Geologically young hills – an amazing sight…
– so young that the hillsides are still slipping!
Another beautiful stream.
Rotorua – renowned for its thermal activity – steam rises from all over the place.
A boiling mud pool – they are very difficult to photograph due to the rising steam!
A boiling mud pool – they are very difficult to photograph due to the rising steam!
The caravan park had its own oven using natural thermal energy…
Keith cooked our lovely dinner in the thermal oven.
And, of course, Rotorua has lots of Maori culture. This is a Maori meeting house…
St Faith’s Anglican Church – notice the graves have to be aboveground due to the thermal activity!
This window in the Church depicts a Maori Christ and gives the appearance of Him walking on the water of Lake Rotorua.
Government Gardens where bowls and croquet are played on the immaculate lawns in front of the neo-Tudor bath house!
