Danger. Keep out.

It was a long distance from Fiorland to Dunedin but as always it was a pleasure drive thru countryside, clean skies and bright sunset. The weather and the surf were not good but we visited the Otago Peninsula, home of wildlife; albatross, penguins, seals and big sheep. We also got good lunch at the oldest vegetarian restaurant in town.

On our way to Christchurch, we checked the Moeraki Boulders, a collection of spherical boulders on a stretch of beach, that we still don’t know how have been formed.

Arriving to Christchurch was shocking. All the city centre have been closed due to the earthquake. It’s been already a month, but no one in the streets, most buildings empty and some destroyed, shops closed, cracked roads, beaches polluted (no surf)… simply scary. What this people are being through must be really hard. We hope all good for them.

In all this time in the south island we’ve also found original mail boxes. Have a look! Some of them are great!

Don’t be a chicken, be a Kiwi!!

The drive from Wanaka to Queenstown goes through a dramatic scenery of mountains, lakes and rivers. Travelling in New Zealand is not only about the destination but the journey! Every km is a gift for the eyes and every stop makes it count.

Halfway, we stopped at Arrowtown, a cute town with pretty tree-lined avenues, wooden buildings and great bakeries.

 

Queenstown, placed by the lake Wakatipu is a small town but has the energy of a city. It’s well described as the adrenaline-rush capital of NZ.  Whatever is your adventure prescription you will find it there. We chose to let go and lose control by jumping from the 43m Kawarau bridge. It was really a thrilling but as it’s said here…don’t be a chicken, be a Kiwi!!

 

Next stop was Fiorland. It’s the biggest national park in NZ and the rawest wilderness area.  Mountains and forests sliced by numerous fiords that makes you say “oh, wow” every time you round a corner. We jumped on a cruise along the fingers inland from the Tasman Sea. Still dark waters, rocky cliffs, high waterfalls, fur seals and dolphins were the scenery.  

Wanaka.

As we drove in we realised that Wanaka is the perfect setting for an unhurried time to getaway with breathtaking lakes and mountains as a playground.  

We found it an spectacular place to live in. Just the surf is missing! You have stunning alpines views around every corner, the air is the freshest and the cristal water of the lake sometimes reflects all the unspoiled beauty.

We wish to had stay more, but our time to in New Zealand is running off. We did hiking to get the best views of Wanaka lake, mountain biking around it, drunk at sunset time and got the best cinema session ever in Cinema Paraiso, where you seat on vintage coaches or even in a 600car (we did it) with a glass of wine and a just baked huge cookie. 

Blessed to be witness

Somehow we woke up at sunrise. Sun rising from the sea was spectacular, but it got even better when we saw a bunch of Hector dolphins playing not far from the coast. We couldn’t hide the smiles in our faces.

We had a big brekkie as the tide was going up and the surf began to pump. We were not expecting waves, as the forecast said it was going to be flat for a while, but the rocky point was working. It was good fun even though we were worried about the rocks and the sharks. Other surfers told us that it was a sharky point but they don’t usually attack ‘cause they are well feed. After a few waves we forget about that. And the surprise came when I was going out of the water through the rocks and a lil seal came to say hello. Another smile was draught in my face.

Living moments like those makes everything worthwhile. All our travels, experiences, love, instants, breathings, landscapes, beaches, surf, drives, skies, people, food… are being tattooed in our hearts and minds. We feel really alive and happy and knowing that we are lucky to be in this moment, we don’t forget those back home. We’d love you to see all these beautiful things.

Full of smiles in our backpacks, we drove under the rain to the West Coast through scenic countryside and forest. We saw the curious Pancake rocks, a limestone which the nature’s fury has formed into what looks like piles of thick pancakes.

Next stop was the imposing ice flows of the Franz Joseph and Fox Glaciers. Due to the heavy rain we could not walk into the glaciers but saw them closer enough to be astonished. Nowhere else a huge block of ice travelling down the valley comes so close to the ocean. Simply impressive.

sharing mother earth

First step at sunlight in south island and our breath was taken away by its beauty. It’s been already four days and in each one we’ve seen plenty of native flora, wild fauna, spectacular ocean views, golden beaches and clear skies.

We walked and did sea kayaking in postcard-perfect Abel Tasman National Park. Scenic pristine beaches, isolated coves and rock formations where we first saw seals.

Next day, we drove up to the very far north end of the south island, to Golden bay. We visited Wharariki Beach. We had to traverse farmland, hills, bush and windswept dunes to get there, but it’s well worth it for the stunning views and the baby seals playing in the sea pools.

After being sure that there is no danger of tsunami where we are, we’ve head to Kaikoura, where we are now.  Never before have seen anyplace with such awesome mountains so close to sea, and such proliferation of wildlife so close. We’ve seen NZ fur seals, penguins and albatross, knowing that there’s the chance to see whales too.

The surf is being flat and gonna be for a while, so we gonna try Marlborough local wine and keep going.