4 Days of March in the South Island, Part I: New Zealand Photography

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island
March 6th 2006

Published: August 5th 2006

Day 1- Wellington to Picton over the Ferry. Drive to St. Arnaud Day 2- Alpine Hiking in Nelson Lakes National Park Day 3- River Rafting the Buller River, Maruia Hot Springs Day 4- Driving West Coast from Pancake Rocks to Fox Glacier Day 1- Wellington felt strikingly like San Francisco. If I knew nothing about its long history of earthquakes, maritime climate or its lively arts scene- I would ... Read Full Entry

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Stephen Paul

I grew up in a small town. I went to Uni. I started taking pictures afterwards in 2000. Several cross country road trips and 3 summers in the Sierra Nevada forced me to fall in love with the outdoors. In 2004 I began working full time, taking advantage of every free weekend and holiday while liquidating my yearly vacation for bigger trips to other countries. I especially love conifer forests and alpine mountains. I'm currently taking pictures of Kids and Models, check out my Facebook page for details! [url=ht... full info

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Karst

Limestone Areas are known as karst, and the abundance here gives this region its unique character. Hundreds of caves are nearby, and the amber colored rivers cut steep channels into the layered and ancient rock.

Pancake Rocks

Tree Ferns and Nikau Palms

The soil's limestone chemistry allows tree ferns and native New Zealand Palms to thrive.

Sea Stack and Seaweed

New Zealand's coastal waters contain Kelp, an algae unique to very spcific mid-latitude locations: West Coasts of North and South America, South Africa and Tasmania.

Limestone Cliffs

Pancake Rocks

The easily carved limestone cliffs create this fantastic area, even more impressive for me was seeing Bushline in the distance this close to such dramatic seascapes!

Pancake Rocks

The peninsula

Going South

Already 3 hours into the drive I knew I had a lot more to go until Fox Glacier.

First Glacial River

2 hours later along the coast you reach the World Heritage uniqueness of New Zealand, where glaciers come straight down from the mountains 2 miles from the sea.

Glacier Melt

My Hotel

My 5 hour advance reservations was hit or miss. Always going with second and third options, this "Mt. Cook View" hotel was 3x what I wanted to pay but nearly the only vacancy left in the village. After check in I was in a huge rush to get 10 km away to Gillespie's beach down a dirt road.

Driftwood II

People?!?

The only other people on the 10 mile stretch of beach at sunset, a stretch that was the only beach access for 50 miles.

Sunset, Gillespies Beach

The end of a very long day.

Driftwood, Gillespies Beach

The beach was wild and magical.

Mt Cook View

New Zealand Route Map

Google Earth

Overview of this section of the trip on the South Island.

17th May 2006

Janet Villadsen
non-member comment

Amazing
I am so impressed with your pictures, travel descriptions, and the way you made it feel like I was there. You are very talented, Stephen. I wish I could travel with you sometime.

17th May 2006

Todd Davis
non-member comment

Spot On
Janet is right, Stephen you do have a real gift. Your photography tells me you have the eye. Your narative is inviting as well. I feel like I'm there or at least want to go. Many thanks.

18th July 2006

Stephen Paul
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o

Many thanks!
Thank you both so much for your kind words. I look forward to posting, and travelling, more!

3rd December 2007

Ed
non-member comment

As a homesick Kiwi living in California for the last 21 years, your travelogue Steven made feel strongly connected to New Zealand again. The photography is beautiful and you have captured that amazing New Zealand light, thanks Ed in Alameda, California.

3rd December 2007

Stephen Paul
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trade me?
I wish I was a homesick Californian living in the South island! Thank you so much, compliments like yours are the best I could ever hope to receive...

4th August 2008

leigh
non-member comment

Hi from Blenheim
Hi there Steven, came across your blog while looking up an image of Beech. I am blessed to live in Blenheim (the boring place! lol). I'm a Kiwi, New to the South, and love the Place's you describe, the majistic sky at the lake I was lucky to experience, I have never seen so many stars, I am off there again soon to tramp and can't wait.

17th January 2009

Stephen Paul
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Blenheim...
The more I reflect, the more I realize I would like nothing more than to settle down in Blenheim! One of the top 3 places with the most sunshine, less than an hours drive to the ocean and the alpine mountains, good wine... :) Boring? Perhaps. A fantastic place to live? YES!

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4 Days of March in the South Island, Part I: New Zealand Photography

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