New Zealand. 2014

Well New Zealand here we come. We are both packed and tommorrow we are off to Copenhagen. We fly to Beijing, then onto Sydney and finally Christchurch. 29 hours altogether, including waiting time.

We have rented a bed and breakfast room in Christchurch for a couple of days, so we can shake the travel cobwebs off us before we get underway. We have hired a "spaceship" so we can orbit NZ - no seriously the mini camper we have rented is literally called a spaceship. We will include a photo when we get the vehicle.

Well we are on our way, but definitely not the best of starts. At Skanderborg station where we change trains, the train was a bit too quick for us and one of our backpacks was left on the platform. We noticed the absence as we pulled out of the station, and a quick phone call from the conductor back to the station and the backpack was found. No one at the station could go out and get it, so when the next train arrived to pick it up, it had disappeared. Goodbye backpack.

The flight to Beijing posed no problems, but the flight to Sidney was delayed. Didn,t know if we could catch our connection to Christchurch, but that was also delayed. we were even further delayed when technical difficulties meant we had to fly a different route, which delayed us even more.

We arrived in Christchurch to find out we had lost a suitcase, so had to spend time reporting that. It was Karen's suitcase and also her backpack we had lost, which meant she had no clothes at all with her. The next peoblem was that we couldn't pick up the vehicle because we were too late.

Rang to the bed and breakfast we had booked to say we would be a little late, but Ron and Anne wouldn't let us take a taxi or bus, they would pick us up. It turned out that they were our saviours. They gave us so much help it was unbelievable. Anne's cooking was out of this world (we had dinner as well, both evenings). Our good friends in Te Puki had sent a little parcel to Christchurch with a few goodies to tide us over. Thanks Kevin and Jay.

The medicine lost with the backpack, was soon replaced, thanks to Anne's help and Ron gave us so many good tips to ensure our trip on the South Island was a success. Our stay at Cedar Park B & B was the perfect start to our trip - thanks to you both! We will return!

Picked the vehicle up and checked it out. Got some small items changed and we were ready for the off.

Karen's suitcase arrived intact. Don't know where things went wrong, but now it's here!

Now on our way to Christchurch to camp and try out our vehicle. Best to do this before we leave, so any things that need attention can be fixed before hitting the road. We didn't sleep too well as it was too warm in the vehicle, so our rear awning will fit fitted tonight to cool the inside of the vehicle.

Next day we took the bus into Christchurch and what a shock it was to see the damage to the city. Hundreds of buidings severly damaged and many already demolished. The centre ressembled a battle zone. There were no shops left in the centre at all and also a lot of old churches and protected buidings have been lost. We couldn't recognise the city at all. A new temporary centre has been established in containers and has become a tourist attraction.

We visited the "Quake centre" to get an idea of the severity of the problem that the city faces many years in the future. The locals haven't given up in the face of the challenges that now face them. I wish them all the best. We took a stroll in the Botanical Gardens. They were beautiful and I think many locals use it a lot to get away from the earthquake damage for a short while.

We are now on our way out to Banks Peninsular. We drove through Little River and onto Pigeon Bay where we would camp. After investigating the site we decided to move on and camp in Akaroa. We took what's called the tourist route and the scenery was fantastic. Well that's what New Zealand is all about.

The camp was really good and we had a great view down over the bay and the town. Two cruise liners were moored in the bay. Their passengers who wanted to go ashore were ferried over in lifeboats. The liners normally anchor off Christchurch, but there is no shopping and really nothing to see for the next few years until they get the city on its feet again.

Had a walk down into the town and had lunch. The temperature is 28 today, so shorts and a T-shirt are the order of the day. One of the other campers we had been chatting with came over with a gin and tonic - we became real friends!!! The weather changed for the worst suddenly and the temperature fell 10 degrees in as many minutes. All of a sudden we had a full scale storm, so I  got out and removed the awning and put it under the vehicle to keep it safe. We stayed in the van and saw a film.

Moved on to Lake Takapo and camped in the caravan park at the lake side. The trip down was a bit boring by NZ standards, but livened up as we approached Lake Tekapo. We could see the fantastic Mount Cook range in the background as we decended down to the lake. A blowy evening, but we seem to be getting used to windy conditions. The most photographed church in NZ is situated here. From the alter you can see the Mount Cook Range through the window.

Packed up and on the move towards Mount Cook mountain range. We drove through Ashburton and did a bit of shopping and then on through Fairlie, a quaint farming community township. The route took us over Burkes Pass with the fantastic view of the snow tipped mountains in the distance. Dog Kannel Corner provided another view of why we have come to NZ.

Now we ar on our way up the eastern side of Lake Pukaki. The lake is a fantastic blue colour as if it had been dyed. We drove into Glantanner camp where we stayed 11 years ago and what a surprise we got. The place was very run down indeed. Shame, but we moved on down to White Horse camp at the foot of Mount Cook. No showers, just toilets and water which we could drink. It tasted really good because it was pure mountain water.

Went for a walk out to Lake Hooker, which was a 3 hour tramp there and back, but it was worth it, even if we were nearly blown away in the attempt. We had to cross three long swing bridges. Karen had to grit her teeth and and will her self over. She didn't like it one little bit, but she did it. Mount Cook hid her summit the whole day, but we had seen it the day before. We did a shorter walk out to Kea Point.

Church at Lake Tekapo

Next destination Oamaru on the coast. Called in at "elephant rocks" a weird collection of rocks in a field. One looked like a gigantic elephant. Chatted to a group of Kiwis while walking round.

On towards Oamaru. A strange town with a historical section of Victorian buildings, all beautifully kept and used as tourist shops. The harbour wasn't used anymore because of siltage. They gave up dredging years ago as a lost cause. Karen wanted some "lemsip" to try and get rid of the cold she has aquired. In the chemist they cost 24 NZ dollar which we thought outrageous, but any price to get rid of the cold.

We are now out on the Ortago Peninsular east of Dunedin, after a trip down through what we think was beautiful countryside. I say that because the clouds were so low that visability was nearly zero at some points. Saw Moaraki Bolders on the way down. A bunch of rocks on the beach. Not really much to look at, but we saw a lot of seals at Shag Point. had a meal down at the pub in the village of Portebello where we camped for the night. My meal was good, but Karen wasn't so impressed with hers.

Drove out to the Albatross colony at the end of the Peninsular. we didn't go in because we could see them flying around overhead, so we saved a bit there. It's one of the few colonies of Albatross left. There were also sealions swimming around and lying on the beach and rocks down below. Now on our way to Dunedin. Haven't much petrol left in the old tank, so I am hoping we get there. Not much petrol out on the Peninsular.

We made it and parked outside the Cadbury chocolate factory on Cumberland St. we booked a tour round the factory which took 75 minutes. They make a lot of chocolate here I have never heard of before!!! Something wrong with my education - I thought if there was one thing I knew something about it was Cadbury's chocolate. Great tour with plenty of samples handed out and of course the exit was through a shop filled with guess what! I bought a couple of bars.

Moving on towards Balclutha. Tried to find the Tunnel at Tunnel Beach, but gave up, walked along the beach. Kaka Point was a blowy affair so we moved on to Nugget Point and walked along the coast for nearly a kilometer up to the lighthouse. Here we could see the coast on both sides and seals down in the bay. A fantastic view

Weather ok today and I say that because it isn't raining. Today is waterfalls day. Still travelling south and our first waterfall was Parakaunui Falls, not so much water here, but worth the visit. Driving on gravel roads at the moment, lots of small sharp stones. Keep+ our fingers crossed we don't get a puncture. Mcleans Falls which we walked to next was fantastic. You actually see three falls altogether.

Arrived at Porpoise Beach where we camped for the night. All the sights were protected from the wind which was great. had a walk along the beach. We could see the dolphins swimming further out. Went down to Curio Beach at 19.30 and waited to see the Yellow Eyed Penguines come in. We saw about nine altogether. Fantastic how they can find their own nests as they waddle up the beach and disappear into the undergrowth.

Next day we saw the dolphins playing in the bay as we drank our morning coffee - fantastic. A  lot of the surfers got quite close to them, but no problem. The dolphins are curious animals and generally like the presence of humans. Did some shopping in Invergargill and drove down to Lake Manapouri, where we camped. Temperature reached 21 degrees today - great. The camping site was nice, with new facilities, but the woman in charge I think has been a Seargent Major in the army. I couldn't see the three stripes on her arm, but I am sure they were there!

We were going on a trip today. The underground hydro power station on Lake Manapouri. We had a bit of time to spare, so we had a walk up the lake for a while. We left on the 50 minute trip on the boat. Mountains surround the lake so the 15 kms we had to sail down the river were picturesque. On board a bus now for a trip up to a lookout point where we could see Doubtful Sound

We enjoyed the trip and can recommend it.

Warmed up the next day and we decided to take a drive out to Milford Sound. You have to  drive about 230 kms round trip to get there and back. It's nice out there, but the drive wasn't really worth it. The view from the campsite is more or less as good. We stayed at the same camp for a second night.

We didn't freeze during the night, and we had a good day at the campsite just more or less doing nothing. The first day we have done it. Sunshine and 24 degrees all day. Actually caught up on some reading. The view from our site as the Kiwis say is awesome, so why drive anywhere else?

At last the summer seems to be catching up with us. Everyone has been saying that when the kids go back to school, the summer starts and thats in four days time on Monday. A shame for the kids, but not for us. On our way to Queenstown. As we drove down we realised why we are here - this scenery is out of this world. Stopped and had lunch and helped a farmer get a couple of hundred sheep over the road to be shorn. They weren't ready to begin at once, but we were welcome to stay and watch.

Camped on the 12 mile delta, 12 kms outside Queenstown. A good conservation site with toilets and water. There wern't too many there when we arrived, but it was pretty full a few hours later. We had a walk down by the lake.

We drove into Queenstown early next day to do a walk up one of the mountains with a fantastic view of the surrounding countryside. It's called Queenstown Mountain Walkway and popular also with the locals. the view from the top, or nearly the top is brilliant. Karen did the last 20 minutes without me. It was a steep climb for a couple of pensioners!!!

Drove to Arrowtown and camped at the caravan park. Brilliant views of the mountains from our site - great facilities. Walked down into the town. A quaint little place filled with lovely restaurants and cafes, something for everyone and it wasn't packed with tourists - they were in Queenstown. Most of the houses in Arrowtown are built of wood for the most, and even the two churches were built of wood.

 Drove up to the ski resort high up over Queenstown. Parked about 4kms up and enjoyed the view for three hours. Strange looking down over an international airport and watching them take and land below. Drove down, a bit of shopping and out to see some bungy jumping. This bridge just outside the town is where it all started. A few daring people were throwing themselves off the bridge. Decided to go back to Arrowtown for the night. Had a seafood chowder in the village and back to the camp for a piece of apple pie. John was in his element.