The last day at the Land Long White Cloud

It’s our last day in New Zealand and we feel kind of sad for leaving the country. It’s been almost two months and we are taking with us lots of good memories. There’s no words to sum up. We would just say that if we now had to choose a country to live in, it would be this one. You never know…

Looking back…a mixed of words about New Zealand come to ours mind; nature, wildlife, bright colors, clean skies, perfect waves, cristal water lakes, isolated pristine beaches, dramatic mountains, scenic drives, fresh air, smiley friendly people, good pleasant, environmental respect, impressive glaciers, beautiful fiords, baby sheep, mama cows, lazy seals, playful dolphins… and lots more like this.

Spectacular and wonderful country! Good to know there are places like this in the world.

Next post from Australia!! J

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.