Blogs from Te Anau, South Island, New Zealand, Oceania - page 16

3rd February 2008 Today we were booked on the Real Journeys boat Friendship to sail up Milton Sound at 10.00 am. Unfortunately the weather was a bit overcast as we set out from Te Anau at 8.30. The journey only took 1 and half hours as there were not many coaches about that early. We got to Milton in time for coffee and some pictures before we boarded the boat. The Sound looked brooding and impressive in the flat light. The trip took about 2 hours and took us right out to the Tasman Sea. It was a bit chilly on the way out with the wind against us. The mountains come right down to the sea and there is snow on the top of some. A truly magnificent sight. After we got back, we went ... read more

Well hello there happy campers.... i know i know it has been far too long since i have updated this blog, and all i can do is beg for your forgiveness and promises you send you gifts of kiwis, green stone and sheep. All of which are found in a plenty here in Nz. I guess that you guys must know that i have made it here to New Zealand, it has only taken 8 and a half months and 10 countries to get here, but i have made it and i am loving it. It really is like being in the set for the Lord of the Rings, though without the hobbits and Orks trying to kill you for your jewelery. I left Sydney on the 9th of Jan, moved my ticket forward as it ... read more

Still not got round to loading photos but have done the Keplar Track - 4 days and 67 kms and no washing facilities! The bath on our return was the best thing ever. The actual walk was stunning with lots of different things to look at and listen to. We went up through Jurassic looking forests and then emerged at the top of the snow covered mountains. The views were stunning. We walked ridges, met alpine parrots (kea) heard bell birds, named because they sound just like a bell - very strange. Last night we met up with some of those on the trek (sorry it's called tramping over here) and celebrated Orna's birthday. (How strange, Orna and Amy are from York!!) Going for an overnight cruise on the Doubtful sound now. Hopefully pictures soon!... read more

Howdy Guys, typical NZ greeting. Sorry no pictures this time but PC not up to it. Anyway, to continue where we left off. We went Whale watching in Kaikoura and saw two Sperm whales. Both about 50ft long, incredible sight seeing them flukeing their tail to dive. They dive for approx 50 min and to a depth of over 1,000 ft down .Also saw a pod of about 200 dolphins. We then drove down to lake Tekapo where we stayed in a palacial cabin that was nothing short of 5star for three days. During that time, we took a plane flight over Mount Cook, mount Tasman, Fox Gacier and Franz Josef glaciers, absolutely awesome, we also took part in a promotianal film for Lake Tekapo video. Next day we walked up hooker valley trail at Mount ... read more

Hello hello. We have done a lot in the past couple days. Where to begin. Well we left Dunedin on the 15th and drove about 4 hours west to Te Anau. It is beautifully situated by Lake Te Anau, clever name, and the main departure point for Milford Sound. We stayed in a hostel that had incredible views of the valley and the mountains and if that wasn't enough there was also a deer farm right outside our room. It was ridiculously beautiful. After settling in and playing some free billiards, we took a nice stroll along the lake and learned that some of the water was released into an adjacent lake by use of gravity, which generated power. Ecologically it is a perfect system because the water from the second lake travels back to the ... read more