Day 15 - North to South

Up early again but this time to catch the ferry.The Islander takes you from Wellington on the North island to Picton on the South island.It takes 3 hours and is one of the must things to do as you get great scenery, especially at the South as Picton isn't straight on the sea, they have to follow a river for some time before docking.For us however, it was grey and low cloud, so that wasn't great but then the crossing was pretty smooth so no complaints, especially since Marie spoke to someone that had done the trips lots and this was the smoothest crossing she'd ever had..

When we arrived in Picton, we headed towards Abel Tasman, a national park on the north coast of the island.June and Lesley had been talking to someone that suggested we take the Queen Charlotte Drive route, which was an incredibly twisty turny road and went up and down plenty of mountains but did provide some great views of the coast.We eventually arrived just short of Abel Tasman and checked into a camp site in the town of Motueka, took 30 minutes in the hot tub and sorted out booked the trip for the next day.

Day 16 - Kayaking Walking Abel Tasman

Another early start as we headed over to the main town of Marahau within the National Park for the 8am start of our trip.The weather forecast was grey and raining and it didn't seem to be wrong!We turned up at the office and was shortly boarded onto a boat on the back of a trailer along with others and then pulled via tractor across the beach to the sea (as the tide was out).We took a 15 minute boat ride up the coast and got to see some of the lovely scenery - the only thing that would have made it nicer is some sun and less low cloud but we hoped it would change later in the day.We turned up at our landing beach and it was absolutely pouring.Here we were to jump into a kayak but the leader decided that we all needed to learn and get suited up.This seemed to go incredibly slowly and everyone was turning very wet and cold.Eventually we all knew how to paddle and were in the right clothes and were allowed to hop into the kayak.Thankfully these were the kayaks where you had a skirt as they call them which you put over the top of the hole you sit in and it allows you to stay dry, which made a great difference.We then started to paddle over to an island, where we were greeted by lots of seals, many of them young and calling out for their mum.It was really cool to see and thankfully the rain had decided to stop for a while.We got some pictures whilst we were told about how they love this island as it has great training pools for the young, where they can swim in safety before paddling our way across the sea and further south to our stopping place.It was good fun to be kayaking again and the scenery was lovely.We stopped at a beach for lunch and then we undertook the 3 hour unguided walk to a beach where we'd be picked up and taken back to base.The walk was good and really gave us a workout.We had hoped it would take you right along the coastline and though it gave great views at times, it did go in land a fair bit.Anyway, it was still good and the sun was succeeding at times at poking out through the clouds, which made it even nicer and we arrived at the beach with loads of time to spare before the taxi boat came and picked us up for the ride back.A really enjoyable day.

When we got back, we made the decision to head further south on the west coast.We knew that we would have to keep moving since time wasn't on our side, so we headed off and finally stopped in a DOC site towards Hokitika for the night.

Day 17 - Glacier and Waterfall

We got up and headed off to Franz Josef.We went to the I site and decided to take the walk over to see the glacier.The walk was across what used to be a river and was very baron but we arrived at the glacier and it was spectacular to see.It is meant to be one of the only glaciers that can be seen at normal temperature.After we got quite a few pictures, we headed back to the van and drove further south.On the way, we stopped to see the impress Thunder Falls (waterfall) before heading on further towards Wanaka where we parked up in a DOC site again for the night.

Day 18 - Queenstown

We got up and headed on to Queenstown.At this point you really couldn't take your eyes off the scenery (except the driver!!) as it was stunning and was forever changing, both as you went round the corner but also when the sun reflected differently on same bit you'd just been looking at.What a contrast to the North island.We arrived in Queenstown and the place looked great, really lively and somewhere where you wish you had longer to stay.

We checked into a campsite as it was definitely time to take a shower and then headed on into town.The sun was shining and though there was a definite reduction in temperature, it was still a beautiful day.Queenstown is the adrenalin junkies place, so we ambled round debating about what to do.Martin had said before the entire trip that white water rafting was something that he'd always wanted to do and where better than in NZ…so after a beer by the lake, we booked up.Marie a little anxious but going to do it.Martin also got his hair cut and decided just to go for it and shave it off - grade 2 all over, happy days.

That evening, around 5pm we took the sky gondala (cable car) up to the top of the mountain in Queenstown.We took in the stunning views that it gave before heading on in to have dinner at the restaurant.We got a table by the window and had the amazing views all throughout dinner.It was a buffet but there was so much on offer and it was all really good quality, that we went with an incredibly full belly - probably could have eaten half the amount !!It was absolutely lovely and could have been a very romantic evening.Shame to have your mum and friend with you !!!!!!!

Day 19 - White Water Rafting

Woke up still full from the night before and headed down to the meeting point for the white water rafting.After changing into the wet suit and all the gear, we were driven down to the starting point.The road was insane.Actually it was more of a track and it was great to see the sign as you went in that said no trucksbuses and no trailers.Great to see as your sat on a bus that is pulling a trailer along behind with the rafts on.The road went on some time with a massive drop at all points but we made it safely to the bottom.After given the pre rafting talk, along with health and safety by the health and safety kayaking alongside man, we were teamed up with 4 others, given our leader (so happened to be called Chief) and our places on the raft.Marie aptly got the paddle that had the catch phrase "Don't be a p**** Paddle" written on it.We went down the river, going through some drills and down through some faster water but not really how we expected.Then health and safety man came up and disappeared in front of us and round the corner.Now we knew it was coming.So as we turned the corner, we were all told to "get down" as we dropped down into some decent sized white water and were thrown about everywhere.No one managed to drop over the side, so we were back paddling before long and giggling about the fun that was.Before long, health and safety man turned up again and we were "getting down" as we piled into another set of rapids.

At the end of the paddling, you learn why it's called the shotover.We were paddling along and then taken to the right and through a tunnel that is some 100 metres long before dropping off the other side, down through the biggest white water of the day and came out having had a great laugh and lots of fun.All Marie's anxiousness had disappeared and she'd loved it.

We got back just after lunchtime and decided unfortunately that we'd have to say goodbye to Queenstown and head over towards the east coast as the time for June and Lesley was nearing and we still had lots to see and do.

Day 20 - Cadbury World and Penguins

As we were staying in Dunedin, it was only right that we would take a tour around the Cadbury Factory.We turned up and were disappointed to find out that the tours were running but the factory wasn't.We booked up and were greeted by a English Northerner who lived in NZ for 20 years but still had a broad accent.He showed us round the factory, went through how chocolate is made and how certain products were made, whilst rewarding any right answer to his numerous questions with a little chocolate bar.June was like the swat in school, always wanting to answer.She went home with lots of chocolate!!!The tour was fun for an hour and we made the obligatory stop in the shop for a bar at the end - went crazy and tried that only NZ bar named Dairy Milk Nut.

After chocolating up, we drove out to the Otaga Peninsula where the Yellow Eyed Penguin lived.It is one of the rarest penguins in the world and there is a protected haven for them on the Peninsula.Through the talk at the sanctuary we found out that they only ever had about 40 birds here and only a few thousand in all of NZ.On average we would be lucky to see 5-9.We were taken to the hospital to start where they had a few infants in who had been taken from their parents as it was felt the way the weather had been (they were hinting it was at the same time as all the bad weather around the world and it wasn't coincidental) the parents were losing the battle to get enough food for themselves, let alone for an infant as well.

After the hospital we headed over to the dunes behind the beach and into the trenches that had been built so the penguins could be viewed with you looking out at ground level whilst not disturbing the penguins.We were lucky in that it was malting time, so there was around 9 that we saw, with 8 of them just sat part way into the month it takes them to remove and re grow all the feathers.It was a really great experience to see them and was great to know our entrance fee was going directly towards helping to provide the best possible environment for them plus they are pretty cute.

Day 21 - Boulders and Cheese.

Time to move closer up the coast towards Christchurch but we'd be making a stop at Oamaru for the evening so that June and Lesley could see the Blue Penguins (that we had seen in masses at Phillip Island).As we drove up we stopped at Moeraki to see the famous boulders on the beach.Not really sure what was so great, it was just some big boulders.The milkshake after was more interesting.

When we got Oamuru, we headed to the local cheese factory which had won some awards and stocked up on some cheeses for the last evenings cheese and wine desert.We turned up too late for the viewing of the making but we only really wanted the chees e anyway!

In the evening, we dropped June and Lesley off so they could sit and wait for the Blue Penguins to come home from sea and as we drove back to the campsite we saw a really old area which seemed to have been kept that way and prided on it, so after we dropped the van back, we took the walk back to it.It was a really nice area and we ended up having a beer in a local pub which served unknown beers and ales.Got to love it.

Day 22 - Towards Christchurch we go

Whilst Martin went for a swim, the others headed off to the area that we'd been to the night before to have a look round the shops.It turned out that most were second hand or specialist shops, such as Victorian clothing.Was good to look round but nothing was bought.

Whilst we'd been in the I site, we'd told of a restaurant on the way up that had just won best restaurant of NZ, so we decided to stop in and try it out as our last meal before June and Lesley headed home.We managed to reserve a table with a little wait but it gave us time to wander round the gardens, which was used to grow all the vegetables for the restaurant and have a look round the shop, which seemed to sell everything including Christmas stuff.The restaurant was absolutely lovely and the food delicious.It comes highly recommended.

Then we finished the journey up to a camp site near to the airport.

Day 23 - Time to Leave for June and Lesley

The time had absolutely flown, we had driven a few thousand kilometres together and seen so much on both the north and south island but the time had come for June and Lesley to head back home via Hong Kong.It was sad to see them leave but it had been fun and we were continuing our journey.

After dropping them off we headed further north to the town of Kaikura where we were hoping to get to see some whales.We were too late for that day but booked in for a boat out the following morning.With a spare afternoon we decided to do a walk they recommend.It took nearly 3 hours but it took us all round the coast line and past the sleeping seals and in a big loop back to the start.It was a really good walk and exercise.

We then headed up to a Basic DOC site where you could sleep for free.Numerous others were there, which is (again) reassuring and settled in the night (now that it gets dark about 6pm).We decided to watch a film and got the scare of our lives at about 9:30 when it felt like someone slapped really hard on the side of the van 3 times.We both shot up and tried to work out what it was, whether it was on the film or not and what to do.Calling out got no response.We made the decision to stay in the van.In the morning, we went out and found 3 paintball marks on the van.Some git had decided that it would be fun to do a drive by and shoot vans with hisher paintball gun.Idiots.We spoke to some others that had also been hit but not much else you can do, just suck it up and move on.

Day 24 - Whales

We arrived at the whale centre early to book up a trip. They only had two tours available, one at ten and one at one o'clock. As we wanted to move further up the coast in the afternoon we decided to go for the ten o'clock boat. We still had a couple of hours before departure so Martin called his dad and I sat outside in the sunshine. We had read on the board that the captain had issued a severe sea sickness warning and although we don't normally get seasick, we decided to take some tablets just to be safe. At eleven o'clock we were given a safety briefing and then we were taken to the harbour. The guide started by telling us about the different whales in New Zealand and then he told us the whale we were hoping to see today was the sperm whale. He told us what to look out for and that if we saw a whale we should call out as they only appear once every 45 minutes and only stay on the surface for 5-10 minutes. So off we went and sure enough the sea got rougher and rougher. The captain slowed down and checked if we were still going in the same direction as the whale. When he set down his tracking device for the third time, he couldn't hear the whale which meant that it was preparing to surface. So we were all waiting in anticipation to see something in the distance. All of a sudden I see this big puff of water and I shouted THERE! The captain was notified and we set off for the whale. When we got up close (about 10 meters away) we could clearly see the head when he came up to take a breath of air. It was awesome to see such a big animal in the wild and they estimated the whale was 15 meters. After about ten minutes, he took his last breath and then dived down, showing us his tail fin. It was so beautiful.

After the first whale encounter we were asked to move inside as the waves were pretty big. The guide told us that all the whales we see out here are young males feeding themselves up before heading out to sea when they have reached maturity. The sea depth in the area reaches 1000m which is perfect hunting depth for the whales. Out at sea they dive up to 3000m.

The captain slowed down the boat and we were told we could go outside again. Martin and I stood at the back of the boat looking out for whales. As I mentioned, the waves were pretty big so it was hard to see if the splashes of water were from whales or waves. Suddenly I spotted a puff of water that could not have been a wave. I asked Martin to look but he could not see what I was talking about. So I pointed at it again and when I did one of the crew members came up and said well spotted. So we turned the boat to go and have a look. The whale must already have been up for five minutes by the time we got there so we didn't get long to view it, but it was beautiful and great. When the whale dived down we headed back to the spot where the captain had heard another whale and this time someone on the front of the boat shouted they had spotted one. We headed over and watched this whale for ten minutes before it dived down again. We had been so lucky to see three different whales in one day and on the way in we saw a big pod of dolphins.

When we got back to the van we had lunch and then we headed up towards Blenheim where we were staying for the night. This time we had no problems with paint ball guns but the weather was awful so we stayed in the van.