Blogs from Kaikoura, South Island, New Zealand, Oceania - page 11

Road Trip on the South Island Week 2: Blenheim - visited wineries, most notably Cloudy Bay Kaikoura - camped in a DoC free campsite and swam with dolphins in 17C degree water Springfield - a campsite 35k outside of Christchurch westayed at since Christchurch was not an option Jacksons - Arthur's Pass stop, definitely nicest campgrounds of the trip Greymouth - worst town ever. next. Punakaiki - pancake rocks, this was a day trip Franz Josef Glacier/Fox Glacier - did a glacier walk on the FJ glacier. had dinner with a family from colorado and relaxed in the hot pools.... read more

C’est par un temps mitigé que nous quittons définitivement le sud de l’île pour rejoindre « Les Plateaux du Centre ». Sur la route, à une centaine de kilomètres au nord de Dunedin, nous faisons un bref arrêt aux Moeraki Boulders : formation géologique sphérique bien étrange. Ces concrétions se sont formées il y a 60 millions d’année. Ce sont à la base des débris de coquillages et de végétaux couplés à un minéral appelé « calcite » qui forment au fil de millions d’années cette curiosité de la nature. Après avoir déplacé un peu de « caillasse » non sans peine, nous quittons la SH1 (LA route principale) pour une traversée des plaines du centre. À l’honneur, soleil (oui oui enfin), miouze à fond, fenêtres ouvertes, route déserte et splendides paysages rappelant les Southern Lakes ... read more

Thursday Feb 10th "Of all the things about me that could frighten you, you worry about my driving? Unknown Well actually over here one might worry about my driving. Driving on the left can be a little bit of a challenge. Having done it for a month two years ago I was pleasantly surprised how quickly it came back. There is a big “Keep Left” sticker on the dash of the rent a car so that helps. I only had one momentary lapse, but it was out in the middle of nowhere after I had pulled over to take a picture. I corrected within 50 ft. I got under way about 11:00 leaving Christchurch without getting lost. It is one of those places where I would swear I’m driving north and I’m driving south. Up the ... read more

Saturday 5th February– Fox Glacier to Christchurch Early start to catch the train through the Southern Alps and into that small part of England in New Zealand: Mount Cook – Watched Mount Cook appear and disappear into the clouds several times as we eat breakfast in Fox Glacier – never did get a photo though. TranzAlpine – Travelled through the mountains from west to east coast (4 hours), watching the mountain scenery unfold. Christchurch – Reminders everywhere (street names, buildings, gardens) of the early English settlers in Christchurch – a pretty little city with relaxed vibe. Sunday 6th February – Christchurch in the Heat A day exploring Christchurch slowly as we deal with the extreme heat: More Weather – The tail end of the cyclone that hit Cairns earlier caused record high temperatures in NZ, including ... read more

Left Queenstown on Monday to drive towards Lake Tekapo. Didnt really want to leave as love Queenstown, would def like to have stayed there longer! Anyway! Headed to Lake Tekapo which again is another glacier lake and of course stunning! Arrived about 1pm so decided to do a horse trek around the lake which was so much fun! Havent been on a horse since Costa Rica so legs hurt quite a bit the next day! The hostel we stayed at is right on the lake so our bus driver announced that we should have a group BBQ which was fab! So much veggie food too thank goodness as we dont normally get a thing! Spent the evening drinking in our hostel room (too many bugs outside!) before getting up to head to Christchurch! Not a fan ... read more