From Wanaka... Back to Auckland

I started to write on our ferry ride back to the north island from the south island, but now it is two full days later and I haven't had a chance to complete everything or post it, so... I start again.


Our ferry ride back from Picton to Wellington was the exact opposite to our first crossing.  The sun was out in full force, the ride was pretty smooth, we had front row seats to enjoy the scenery...  It couldn't have been better.  It was a bit bittersweet for me - although it wasn’t the end of our adventure by any stretch of the imagination, it was the end of our fantastic time on the south island.  It was a perfect holiday, to say the least...  As I’ve got a lot to summarize, I will get on with it, picking up where I left off… 

Lake Wanaka:

I had previously mentioned that the drive through the pass was beautiful, taking us through the tropical rain forest to the dry lands of Otago.  On our first full day, we went to Puzzling World, where we spent a long time in the large maze and the illusion rooms.  We enjoyed the beach and John and Sofia had a dip in the water, trying out snorkeling gear.  It was a gorgeous day and we knew we wanted to spend even more time on the lake the next day.  Afterwards, we had just enough time to get to Rippon Vineyard, which was literally across the street from our campground.   Great wine, incredible views!

Puzzling World - start of the maze...

The challenge was harder than you'd think!

A wee part of the maze... John's waving way back there!

I couldn't resist this 'Roman Toilet' scene...

Sofia loved the 'Roman Toilets' too!

All the rows are actually 'horizontal' to the ground...

Sofia looks bigger than me!!  This is the AMES room (though I still think it should be the AMIS room)

Day two was more glorious than the first.  We rented kayaks that morning and paddled our way to Ruby Island.  After eating lunch there, we paddled back.  When we got back to the beach, we swam, took a stroll around town, got an ice cream and finished at Wanaka Ale House, a pub that overlooked the lake.   John was great company, falling asleep at the table for his late afternoon nap. 

Kayaking on the beautiful Lake Wanaka!

More kayaking...

A view from the kayak...

Sleeping Beauty

One thing that had become apparent – not all holiday parks are alike.  My initial take on them was very positive, but by Wanaka we realized it was better to accept them as a place to sleep and not to expect too much! While the holiday park we stayed at lacked good management and decent water pressure, we met a great family from Auckland (who we’ll see again) and really enjoyed ourselves in this small lake town.   Unfortunately on the day of departure, some kid on a mountain bike creamed Jake from behind.  We took him to see a doctor only to confirm what we suspected (concussion).  To this day he still doesn’t remember that morning…  

Our new friends Paul & Mark - 

The beach at Lake Wanaka

More beach (and John/Sofia) at beautiful Lake Wanaka

From the Rippon Vineyard...  That's Ruby Island out there, where we kayaked

Wanaka to Queenstown…

We drove to Queenstown, skipping the plans to visit a couple vineyards enroute.  Our only concern was getting settled and making sure Jake was doing OK.  We found our holiday park and got settled.  What an improvement from the Wanaka campsite – this was maybe the best one yet!!  We drove to the nearby town of Arrowtown for a walk down the historic main street.   We enjoyed its tranquility because we knew the next day would be very different.  Indeed it was – Queenstown was a zoo!  Our friend Susan was able to spend the later afternoon and evening with us.  She took us up the gondola where we spent the good part of an hour (maybe even two!) on the luge!  Afterwards, we ate our first restaurant meal in ages.  What a treat to eat out and to see an old friend we hadn’t seen in years.

View from Roaring Meg (enroute to Queenstown)

Megs still roaring...

Sofia's wanted in Arrowtown!

A view of old main street... (Arrowtown)

Queenstown from the top of the Gondola

What a view!

The luge at the top of the gondola

Another view gorgeous view...

John on the 'fast track'...

Queenstown to Dunedin…

We made our way west, first stopping just outside of Queenstown to where the original bungy jump site is located, in a river cavern.  I tried to upload a video but it didn't work - may yet get that figured out so stay tuned - it was INCREDIBLE!! 

The beautiful view from the bungy jumping site...

After this quick stop (which included getting a coffee... and I must comment on NZ coffee soon), we traveleed towards Dunedin via two vineyards that Ben had recommended…  Sam Neil’s “Two Paddocks” and “Blackridge”, both near his hometown of Clyde. FABULOUS!!  The drive into Dunedin was relatively uneventful.  The holiday park was pretty old but the long beautiful sandy beach was only 5 minutes away, just over the dunes. 

The short walk over the sand dunes to the beach...

The beach...

Another perspective of the beach!

The waves...

We were able to get out on the peninsula in search of any and all wild life! We visited the Albatross Centre where we saw some albatross flying around in the sky.  On our drive back, we went to Sandfly Bay in search of penguins.  The time of day (for seeing penguins) was wrong but we took a walk to the lookout – the beach was gorgeous – big waves, big dunes, very secluded.  It’s a shame we had plans that evening because a picnic dinner and a visit to the “hide” there would’ve likely meant we’d have seen penguins.  

Our drive along the peninsula

At the Albatross Centre

Shags nesting in the rocks

Sandfly Bay coming into view...

Sandfly Bay (where we'd hoped to see penguins!)

Unfortunately - this is as close as we ever got to seeing a penguin

We carried on, went to “the Octagon” and walked around the city centre.  St. Paul’s Cathedral was pretty, the railway station was impressive but the Octagon itself wasn’t quite what I’d expected. Next on the agenda was meeting with some of John’s friends (Steve Jackson, Kogi Kobiashi and new friend Mike Sam) near St. Clair’s beach.   Drinks, dinner by a park and next to the beach – even the kids were happy!

St. Paul's

Sofia LOVES the red telephone boxes!

Train station in Dunedin

St. Clair's beach...

More St. Clair's beach - weather change showing in the clouds

Yet another park by the beach and the restaurants!

The weather changed over night and was pretty miserable.  Thankfully, we’d booked into the Cadbury’s chocolate factory for a tour Sunday morning.  Afterwards we checked out the University of Otago and then the Otago Museum where we were able to go into the tropical forest and walk amongst thousands of butterflies! Desperate to see some penguins, we went back to Sandfly Bay but the weather was a nightmare!  We warmed up over dinner with another of our friends from our days in Bedford, Sally Shaw.  After dinner we went round her place to meet her dog (to Sofia's delight) and warm up with a cup of coffee.  All in all a great day, despite the weather. 

Sofia learning all about chocolate!

Vintage cars -- 1919 (L) and 1930s (R)

Sofia taking the wheel...

It looks warmer than it was... University of Otago

Sofia's got a special way with all living creatures!

Dunedin to Kaikoura to Picton Ferry…

We left Dunedin and went straight to the lighthouse near Moeraki, in hopes of seeing some penguins at the “hide” there.  Does anyone sense our desperation to see them in the wild??  The Memphis zoo doesn’t cut it!  Having no luck, we went to see the Moeraki boulders on the beach.  We got some great photos and hopped back into the car for the very long drive to Kaikoura.  Arriving in Kaikoura felt great, familiar… we wished we had more time, but it was simply a place to sleep.  Auckland and reality await us!!  Time to get a place to live, register the kids in school and wear some different clothes! 

Moeraki Boulders - what a cool place!

Talk to you from Auckland…