Blogs from Picton, South Island, New Zealand, Oceania - page 20

From the markets of Rajasthan to the cosmopolitan streets of Sydney and Paris, our hiking boots and quick dry clothing never quite fit in. Finally on the south island of New Zealand we found an entire town full of people dressed just like us. Once an isolated farming community, Te Anau has become an important gateway to the spectacular Fiordland wilderness areas. Most of the locals we met seemed to be working in between their outdoor pursuits of hiking, kayaking and climbing. Less than 24 hours after our arrival on the south island we were on our way to the start of the Milford Track. Dubbed "the finest walk in the world" by an enthusiastic journalist this hike was initially accessible only with a guide. The first hikers to break the rules were christened "freedom walkers" ... read more

Tuesday 2nd January 2007 We got up 1.5 hours later than planned and rushed around trying to leave Christchurch. We went into town and picked up a hire car from Thrifty that needed to be relocated to Picton (so cost us nothing but petrol). It was a Toyota Corola - not too bad, but not the V6 Ford Falcon I was hoping for... I dropped off my snowbaord bag (with all my kites, some winter clothes, books, snowboard, etc) and my new paraglider at Dave's-- my paragliding instructor--house. The plan was when the rest of my paragliding kit (harness and reserve chute) finally arrive, he would put it with the glider and get both packages picked up by the transportation company I had arranged to send it all back to my parents in the UK. We ... read more

Arose at 5am this morning for the 3 hour ferry trip from Wellington to Picton in the South Island. The adventure begins....... read more

Taking the 3 hour ferry ride from Wellington to Picton, on Christmass NZ day, was just phenomenal! Fourtunately we had great weather on the way and we were able to have INCREDIBLE views of what the south island has to OFFER. Majestic towering green mountains islands, sittting on the still ocean waters! Ocean birds flying everywhere....just beath-taking. It really looked like the LORD of THE RINGS, but BETTER bc I was seeing it for myself!!!! JUST aw, AMAZING! 0, Arriving in Picton at 9:15, our ferry was on time, Bay view Back backer hostel was there to pick us and others in their van. Since their place was BOOKED, bc it was X-mass, we got super LUCKy to have stayed in their LODGE, which meant, a house to ourselves, we had a radio, TV, awesome kitchen, ... read more

From Picton we took the Queen Charlotte drive towards Nelson. The winding narrow road followed the blue water bays and coves of the sound. The coastal road eventually gave way to a wide open valley fields and the forested lowland of rolling hills. In all it was a two or so hour drive to Nelson, our base of operation for the Christmas shuttered period. Nelson, a highly touristed town reportedly has the most days of sunshine in NZ. We were not disappointed during our two days in town…. Perfect weather! We arrived the day before Christmas and thought that a $5 secrete Santa shopping expedition in town would be good fun. We went our separate ways and met back up later that afternoon. For wrapping paper I was able to convince the Katmandu sales woman to ... read more