NewZealand12🇦🇺

Day 12 - West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand 

The weather predictions for today could not have been worse. In the preparation for our 1.5 hour hike involved packing a dry change of clothes. Boy, did we luck out! Not only did we see a glacier, up close, but made it back to the bus fairly dry. The weather here changes quite quickly. It's sunny, it's rainy, it's sunny... repeat and repeat. The new weather experience for today was hail. We were hailed on 3x's within 12 hours. The first was a torrential downpour and hail at 4:37 a.m. That will wake one up... Just little pea size so no human or structural dents.... ;)   What was interesting is there were a few of our group who have not experienced hail... 

Franz Josef Glacier in the Westland Tai Poutini national park. Absolutely fascinating. Sadly, it is melting away at quite a rapid rate. Global warming?

The weather was quite nice for our breathtaking drive up the coast. At least it was while in the bus. Only rained when we were to get out for lunch, shopping, bio brakes and such. One stop we had the opportunity to use a singing toilet...use your own imagination... :D

We drove, shopped, ate and peed our way up the coast through towns named Whataroa, Harihari, Kakapotahi, Hari Hari, Ross, Ruatapu, and, our destination for two nights, Hokitika.  Points to you if you know how to pronounce these names...  

Jade and many other forms of artistry is what this area is best known. Our first stop in town was to a jade store. There we met with a jade sculptor who explained the process. Beautiful work! A flurry of shopping ensued. Really nice creations. Lisa and I, of course, went foraging for adult beverage supplies. Are you surprised.... 

We are right on the shore if the Tasman Sea. Very cool. 

Tomorrow more opportunity to visit a few local artists and possibly a bus ride up to the pancake rocks... check back!  Who knows, it might be raining....

NewZealand11🇦🇺

Day 11 -- on the bus and a couple of national parks. 

The weather was quite promising on our way out of Queensland and for the most part of the day. Unfortunately that quickly deteriorated the closer we got to our evening's destination. 

First stop of the day, Aurum winery for a taste. What is interesting is that this is an organic winery.  So no chemicals whatsoever. The wines were very good! Even at 9:30 in the morning. Like our guide said, the sun is over the yardarm... somewhere....

Fun stop to skip some rocks across Lake Hawea. The mountains are just breathtaking flanking this glacier created lake. 

Another fun stop at Thunder Creek Falls. 

The planned hike up Ship Creek was a bit shortened. The wind driven rain nearly drove right up ship creek....  Here we are on the shore of the Tasman sea 🌊.  

Tomorrow, more seat time on the bus. Fingers crossed we are able to do the helicopter ride and the hike up to the glacier....stay tuned. There is an extreme weather alert, 300 ml of rain predicted....oh yea....

NewZealand10🇦🇺

Day 10 - day of leisure aka no OAT scheduled activities 

Optional afternoon tour involved a bus ride up to the Dart River for a boat ride. The adventure started at the town of Glenorchy to Paradise station. A walk through the forest in Mt Aspiring National park in the shadow of Pirakatahi/Mt Earnslaw. 1.5 hour boat ride on the river to enjoy the absolute splendor of this country along with many of the scenes filmed in many movies along with Lord of the Rings. The group had a fabulous afternoon experience. Did Lisa and I do this tour, .... nope... are you surprised....nope :D

The day's adventure began with a walk into town to the gondola and up the hill for a fantastic view of Queenstown. There is a bevy of activities up there -- bungy jumping, a swing out over a ledge, luge track, and downhill single track mountain biking. Of course there is a restaurant, bar, and the obligatory souvenir shop.  Lisa and I got the package deal of gondola and 6 luge runs. We had a blast! There was a rain delay in the middle of our runs. Had to do to the bar, oh darn.. 

Lisa was so disappointed to not have been able to bungy jump the day before yesterday. Disappointment was not to last. In the midst of our first beer for the day, she checked and found there was an opening to jump at 2:45. The debate was short lived when she booked it and off we went back to the Kawarau bridge. She did it!

Ah, the calming affect of a number of beers, which took a few before Lisa stopped shaking. It was only a 43 meter drop to the river. We met Josh at a local brew pub for some laughter and libation. Then off to a different pub for dinner. It was quite tasty. 

Back home it is thanksgiving today at the time this is being written. Happy Thanksgiving everyone. We do have so much to be thankful.  

Off to more adventure, do check back tomorrow.

NewZealand9🇦🇺

Day 9 - and what a day it was!

Wouldn't ya know, one day its gorgeous and the next.... not so much... almost like being in MN... :)

Today, the main event when you travel to Queenstown NZ, is the Milford Sound and the Fiordland National Park. Wow! Easily understandable why this park and part of the world is selected to film so many movies. The good news to day, it is a bit raining, keeps everything so green. The bad news is, it's raining, so we get a little damp. No worries. We were not able to see the tops of the mountains flanking the sound as you will see in the pics. The plus is the waterfalls. Not just a few, but thousands. Janet was missing Brenda helping her count them...(a bit of humor from our Norway trip a few years back... 1,2 no wait, lost count, 1,2 lost count... repeat)

Here is what the sound looks like on a clear day

Here is our view today and a few pics on our way to the coast. 

Today's aviary subject. 

Having a bit of fun

Note to self, if you ever get a chance to experience this amazing part of the world and and a bit of weather is happening, bringing along a dry shirt and pants for the 4 hour bus ride back is guaranteed to make it noticeable more comfortable. 

All five senses were engaged at one point or another during today's adventure. The sights of the mountains/waterfalls, the sound of the water falling - some longer than 5500', smell of the dense forests and mist from the water falls, the feeling the thunder of the water crashing under the trail bridge, and the taste of the meat pies so common here. Yum!

Here is the view from my balcony overlooking the lake this morning. A day at leisure. Who knows what adventure we can get into. Check back!

NewZealand8🇦🇺

Day 8

A day of transition - flying from Rotorua to Queenstown. The landing into Queenstown was absolutely unforgettable. The weather today was the best one could ever hope for.  The pilot called for the flight attendants to take their seats, looked out the window and we are significantly higher than the mountain peaks all around us. We are landing!?!?Where?!?  Seemed like an eternity as we threaded our way through the mountain tops down into the valley. All the while, all one could hear was cameras clicking away trying to capture the splendor beneath us. Alas, I  had an isle seat...over the wing...but still managed to get a few glimpses. Sorry, no pictures for you. 

Once on the ground, we now could look up all around us at the mountainous perimeter of Queenstown. This is a beautiful part of the world for sure. Then to the bus to explore.

Our hopes, well, a couple people's hopes were dashed to get another NZ thrill... bungy jumping. Insane for sure. They were booked up for the day... oh darn...Here are some pics. Next time, we will take the plunge, right? 

Dinner in Queenstown and leisurely walk up the hill to our hotel. 

Tomorrow, Fiordland national park and so much more, check back !