We just finished the Abel Tasman tramp (2 days kayaking, 3 days backpacking to nearly empty campsites for the most part) ...beaches and water beyond beautiful.. heading for Nelson/Picton for the Ferry north. The pics show a few views from Milford Sound in southwest to Dunedin on the southeast side, back up the west coast past the glaciers seen from the Tasman Sea..incredible. Then to the sunny Abel Tasman area. We'll start in Wellington in the North Island see...

We have seen a lot since the first blog. Here are some pics from the second leg, including the long hike between huts to Milford Sound. Yet to come: Milford Sound, Stewart Island, Dunedin penguins, albatross and possums, oh my! Now going from the ocean back to the snowy mts, then to the West Coast. J and K

Hi all, Hope all is going well for all of you "back home". We are having a fantastic time already! John has learned to drive on the left side of the road-with me "back seat driving". He is going to get it all figured out before I try it! The camping has been great--very easy. We have mostly been staying in DOC (Dept of Conservation, like our Forest Service) campgrounds. They are all very nice. We visited Aoraki/Mt. Cook and it was beautiful. Glacier-capped...