DSC_0853.JPGWe spent a forgettable night at the Kakapo Lodge in Hanmer Springs. Honestly, I can’t recall a thing about it. I think we slept in a bed of some kind.
Towards the end of October, Eliz & I took about three weeks holiday in New Zealand, having signed up for Haka Tours North-South island adventure tour. This was my selfish birthday present to Elizabeth, and I had insisted despite our busy schedules that we go before the end of the calendar year. We had a terrific time, and met a wonderful group of young people who had also signed on. (While Haka assured us we wouldn't be the oldest ones on our tour, we had at least a quarter century on all of them.)
Between us, we took almost 3000 photos, which I've winnowed down to about 750. I've further broken these into 24 pages, which you can jump between more easily. A few of the pages have linked video, or will have when I get around to uploading them.
Page 1, wherein we arrive to Auckland and explore the town and harbor.
Page 2, wherein we meet our tour group and head in the bus for our first destination on the north island, Whtianga.
Page 3, wherein a handful of our group go on a "black water rafting" adventure and check out a glow worm cave.
Page 4, wherein we check out a swing bridge and the Blue Spring, where the majority of New Zealand's bottled water originates. That night, we dine with the Mitai tribe and are treated to a demonstration of some Maori traditions.
Page 5, wherein Elizabeth and I go zip-lining in a native rain forest.
Page 6, wherein we visit the Waiotapu Thermal Park and check out the natural hot springs and Huka waterfall in Taupo.
Page 7, wherein we sail Lake Taupo on a boat that once belonged to Errol Flynn.
Page 8, wherein we enjoy a group barbecue and try our hands at Gumboot Throwing. We arrive to Wellington and enjoy a nice dinner.
Page 9, wherein Eliz and I hike to a view atop Mount Victoria, then check out the Wellington museum and the botanical gardens.
Page 10, wherein we meet the others for some street food and fireworks to celebrate Guy Fawkes Day. The next morning, we leave our bus for a ferry ride to the south island. (Just in time as it turns out, since Ronnie lost her rear suspension towards the end and broke down completely when the next group took her over.)
DSC_0853.JPG
We spent a forgettable night at the Kakapo Lodge in
Hanmer Springs. Honestly, I can’t recall a thing
about it. I think we slept in a bed of some kind.
IMG_3076.JPG
Our next stop was Kaikoura, a small seaside village
where some of us did dolphin stuff.
DSC_0858.JPG
There was also some beautiful scenery...
DSC_0860.JPG
...and a beach with very large grains of sand.
IMG_3065.JPG
Jon of course brought out his frisbee, reminding me
of my brother.
IMG_3075.JPG
Becca
IMG_3072.JPG
Lauren, Harriet, Marc, & Lynette
DSC_0864.JPG
I suppose one way to become world famous is to have
tourists from all over stop by your food stand.
IMG_3080.JPG
Admittedly, their seafood was pretty fresh.
DSC_0870a.jpg
I had scallops, and Eliz had the grilled catch of the
day. Both were delicious.
DSC_0872.JPG
I didn’t taste the other people’s food...
GOPR6083.JPG
Nick & Callum
Afterwards, we joined 4 others from our tour to swim
with dusky dolphins.
GOPR6086.JPG
I don’t think Yen went in the water, as the sea
sickness pill she took had made her sleepy.
G0036137.JPG
It was a bit rough getting out to where the dolphins
were, but not too bad once you were in the water.
G0046156.JPG
And they turned out to be a friendly bunch.
G0046160.JPG
Dusky dolphins are about human–sized, and they
like to play games like spinning you in circles.
DSC_0876.JPG
In the evening, we stopped at a grocery to pick up a
picnic dinner, which we enjoyed at a park on our way
to Christchurch.
IMG_3168.JPG
Christchurch had a very homey Haka Lodge, where we spent
one night.
Page 12, wherein we go hot-air ballooning with Yen & Brian, then check out the Christchurch Art Museum.
Page 13, wherein we meet up with our group and head out to Tekapo, where we were all surprised by a snowstorm in the night.
Page 14, wherein we enjoy our first afternoon in Queenstown and take a gondola up to Bob's Peak to be amazed by the view and learn how to luge.
Page 15, wherein Eliz & I are joined by Lauren on a horse trek near Glenorchy.
Page 16, wherein Jon, Brian, and Yen join us in a "canyoning" adventure that was more than we'd signed up for.
Page 17, wherein Eliz & I enjoy a leisurely day on Lake Wakapitu.
Page 18, wherein we drive over a mountain pass to get to Wanaka. The following day, most of us take a hike up Mount Iron. Some of us also go to see "The Lonely Tree"
Page 19, wherein we make a number of stops for beauty on the way to the Franz Josef glacier.
Page 20, wherein some of our group hike to see the glacier.
Page 21, wherein about half of us go on a final group kayaking adventure on Lake Mapourika.
Page 22, wherein some brave singers stand up for karaoke night at the pub. The next day, we stop in Hokitika and see some live kiwi birds on our way to catch the train in Greymouth.
Page 23, wherein everyone but our leader boards the Alpine Express bound for Christchurch, the final destination for the organized part of our trip.
Page 24, wherein Eliz & I have a final day on our own in Christchurch, which we spend wandering in search of good eats and take a ferry to Diamond harbor. We also finally get a chance to check out the Christchurch botanical garden, which is definitely worth the visit.
Page created Nov 27 2017