Rafting, handgliding, golf, ...welcome to the south of South Island

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I've try my best, but there are too many pics, so you will have to endure one more entry specially for Milford
Sound. Funny enough, this will also be the only one under the rain for the all week.

We made our way down from Abel Tasman National Park....to the South of the South. The road just before Wesport is
amazing...and with thousand of turns! Not always easy with the campervan, but somewhere, way better than a car if
you travel with kids.

After a night in the middle of nowhere....really...we made our way to the two main Glaciers of New Zealand. First stop,
Franz Joseph Glacier, second stop, 20km further, Fox Glacier. Fox was the favorite of all of us.

With more time I would have love to trek them. But with little guys age 6 and 8, it's not really an option. We may have
most of it, you cannot always have all of it. So we enjoy the views and the sun...

After Haast, the road climb to Wanaka and the few lakes around the road. These places are amazing...great for a little
driving break.

And here we are in Queenstown, adventure captial of NZ. Well, commercial capital of NZ. If people think it's a cool
place, I won't agree with them. We spent only one night there...and 2 days later, after Milford Sound, we stay in
Arrowtown....and that's a beautiful little gold town 20 minutes away from Queenstown.

But, we were here for some fun. For me, my first flight handgliding...fun, but at less than 15 minutes, way too short
even if I really enjoy the few tricks of my tandem driver, cool guy from Japan. Next one will be for sure with Ma'ri, either
in Cape Town or Rio...

Next morning, Shotover river for some rafting for Ma'ri and I. A first for Ma'ri. The Shotover is advertised as the
best adrelanine shot in the region, with mainly class IV rapids. Well, Ma'ri is ready for way more...and for me...
once you've done the Zambezi...you know what I mean. Don't worry, we are getting closer to organize a great multi
days trip in Nepal...some of you guys may even join! So great morning of fun, laugh, getting wet...and a lot of sights
of former gold mines. The most scenic part being the Shotover Tunnel at the end of the rafting, a 170m tunnel carved
into the rocks.

Afternoon time, we took the Gondola on top of Queenstown. They have set up luge tracks up there. This is some cool fun,
but even more a great family time! Few pics, and a few drops of rain...the firsts of our week.

We than made our way to Milford Sound...but for this see my next entry. Sorry, had way too many pics already for this
entry.

We play one more round of golf in Te Anau just before sunset on our wau to Milford Sound.

And the day after, a cool round of golf in Arrowtown, the pics are all from this course.

The drive back to Christchurch was another great one. And as a finishing point to this holiday, the Antartica
Center in Christchurch. Fun to think that I was in Antartica just a year ago...some boat leave even from here.
The Antartica Center is not only a museum, but also the offices for the bases run in Antartica by Italia,USA and
New Zealand. A great visit, and it was time to say goodbye. Leslie and Ma'ri making their way to Shanghai via
Auckland. Tiffany and I enjoying one more night in Auckland before flying back to Saigon.

Sorry if I've written a little too much for this entry. It was an amazing holiday. Simple as a campervan, fun as
some fun rafting, yammie as some gorgeous wine and seafood/lamb....but before all, it was a holiday with Tiffany,
Ma'ri, and Leslie...a lot of smiles, lots of cuddles...so with Love....wait few hours to see the rainy Milford Sound.


And for all you Kiwis around the world, you've got the most beautiful Island I ever saw...with the most amazingly
friendly people. Thanks!

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Comments

[TravelWankers]

Looks like you all had an amazing time! We will be travelling in a camper van as well (much smaller than the one you had though, as its just the two of us!), I am planning on visiting many of the places you did. I cannot wait! Only three weeks until we set off!

[Jo Trouble]

Hi guys, You had a cow traffic jam?? Pity you didn't get a real Kiwi traffic jam with the sheep - wouldn't have seen any road in that photo ;-) Glad you had a great time - check out the North Island next time!