Day 8
This was supposed to be the day we went on a Heli Hike. This would have involved us going up in a helicopter to a glacier for a walk on the ice and back down in the helicopter. Unfortunately this was cancelled due to the bad weather up the mountain. We were disappointed but headed on up the West Coast to Hokitika. More rain today! We walked along to see Hokitika Gorge, went to the beach, we noticed everyone was lining the streets so we waited with them to see what was going on. Around the corner came many many bikes...they were the Scooter Safari, they had rode their bikes from Christchurch to raise money for cancer. After the sun had set we went to see glow worms; which looked just like the starry sky, I could spot the Southen Cross and Orion's belt!
This was supposed to be the day we went on a Heli Hike. This would have involved us going up in a helicopter to a glacier for a walk on the ice and back down in the helicopter. Unfortunately this was cancelled due to the bad weather up the mountain. We were disappointed but headed on up the West Coast to Hokitika. More rain today! We walked along to see Hokitika Gorge, went to the beach, we noticed everyone was lining the streets so we waited with them to see what was going on. Around the corner came many many bikes...they were the Scooter Safari, they had rode their bikes from Christchurch to raise money for cancer. After the sun had set we went to see glow worms; which looked just like the starry sky, I could spot the Southen Cross and Orion's belt!
Day 9
This was a long drive today all the way up the West Coast and to Nelson. Along the way we stopped to see Pancake rocks and Blowhole. It was very fun to see and hear the sea come in and up out the blowholes...this is all down to erosion. Kept driving to Nelson where we stopped briefly before heading to our free campsite for the night. It was super windy so it was a quick warm up of food from a tin for dinner!
This was a long drive today all the way up the West Coast and to Nelson. Along the way we stopped to see Pancake rocks and Blowhole. It was very fun to see and hear the sea come in and up out the blowholes...this is all down to erosion. Kept driving to Nelson where we stopped briefly before heading to our free campsite for the night. It was super windy so it was a quick warm up of food from a tin for dinner!
Day 10
We continued our journey to Picton to catch the ferry to the North Island. This was the first day we didn't see rain! We waited in the queue to board the ferry and I drove on and parked next to a truck full of cattle. A pleasant journey through Malborough Sound across the sea and docked in Wellington. First we found somewhere to park for the night, grabbed some dinner and took a wonder around the docks. There was the LUX light festival on so we saw lots of art insterlations with light, my favourite was the cube.
We continued our journey to Picton to catch the ferry to the North Island. This was the first day we didn't see rain! We waited in the queue to board the ferry and I drove on and parked next to a truck full of cattle. A pleasant journey through Malborough Sound across the sea and docked in Wellington. First we found somewhere to park for the night, grabbed some dinner and took a wonder around the docks. There was the LUX light festival on so we saw lots of art insterlations with light, my favourite was the cube.
Day 11
This was a day to explore the capital, Wellington. First we took a ride on the cable car to the top and from there visited Zealandia. This is a conservation project to help the native birds, animals and plants thrive. We spotted and heard many many birds but it was hard to take photos of them hiding amongst the trees. Next we looked around the Botanical Gardens and the Cable Car Museum before heading back down on the cable car. I found out that many properties on the hills have privert cable cars to access their houses. Last stop of the day was the Te Papa museum, we read about the history of New Zealand and saw some interesting art pieces. Off to our campsite for the night. I enjoyed staying here (Camp Wellington) as we could have a hot shower, use a huge kitchen and lounge area. We had a storm all night with winds that shook the van, rain hitting so hard on the roof with thunder and lightening keeping us awake!
This was a day to explore the capital, Wellington. First we took a ride on the cable car to the top and from there visited Zealandia. This is a conservation project to help the native birds, animals and plants thrive. We spotted and heard many many birds but it was hard to take photos of them hiding amongst the trees. Next we looked around the Botanical Gardens and the Cable Car Museum before heading back down on the cable car. I found out that many properties on the hills have privert cable cars to access their houses. Last stop of the day was the Te Papa museum, we read about the history of New Zealand and saw some interesting art pieces. Off to our campsite for the night. I enjoyed staying here (Camp Wellington) as we could have a hot shower, use a huge kitchen and lounge area. We had a storm all night with winds that shook the van, rain hitting so hard on the roof with thunder and lightening keeping us awake!
Day 12
We had a change of plans looking at the weather in the morning. We wanted to do the Tongariro Alpine crossing but there was bad weather with snow so we were going to have to miss that out too. The weather hasn't been too kind to us here in in New Zealand. Anyway we had a lovely warm drink at the Chocolate Fish cafe before heading on up pass the crossing route and on to Taupo. The snow was coving everywhere...I wouldn't want to climb the mountain in that weather. After a long drive we arrived in Taupo and found a camp spot for the night.
We had a change of plans looking at the weather in the morning. We wanted to do the Tongariro Alpine crossing but there was bad weather with snow so we were going to have to miss that out too. The weather hasn't been too kind to us here in in New Zealand. Anyway we had a lovely warm drink at the Chocolate Fish cafe before heading on up pass the crossing route and on to Taupo. The snow was coving everywhere...I wouldn't want to climb the mountain in that weather. After a long drive we arrived in Taupo and found a camp spot for the night.
Day 13
We were in Taupo a day early so we decided to check the weather again as we had the swing booked for tomorrow and we really didn't want that to be cancelled too. As the forecast was rain we went to see if we could fit it in there and then with the sun shining. Guess what we did it! I was so excited, we got harnessed up and attached to the ropes. Waved goodbye to the camera and the man pulled the rope. I can't remember the first bit as I felt like I just froze in the air. Once the free fall was over the motion of the swing was fantastic with a wonderful view of the river. After Joaquín also did a bungy jump. I watched from the sidelines and I was so nervous for him. I not sure I could have done that! After the adrenaline had subsided we went for a walk along the river to Huka Falls. The waterfall was so loud! After that we were greeted with rain while warming up some soup for lunch. We decided to go and visit the Craters of the Moon - this is a natural thermal park where steam comes up through the ground from hot pools underneath.
We were in Taupo a day early so we decided to check the weather again as we had the swing booked for tomorrow and we really didn't want that to be cancelled too. As the forecast was rain we went to see if we could fit it in there and then with the sun shining. Guess what we did it! I was so excited, we got harnessed up and attached to the ropes. Waved goodbye to the camera and the man pulled the rope. I can't remember the first bit as I felt like I just froze in the air. Once the free fall was over the motion of the swing was fantastic with a wonderful view of the river. After Joaquín also did a bungy jump. I watched from the sidelines and I was so nervous for him. I not sure I could have done that! After the adrenaline had subsided we went for a walk along the river to Huka Falls. The waterfall was so loud! After that we were greeted with rain while warming up some soup for lunch. We decided to go and visit the Craters of the Moon - this is a natural thermal park where steam comes up through the ground from hot pools underneath.
Day 14
More rain today in the morning while we watched our laundry wash and dry in the machines. Then we drove on up to take a walk along the Te Waihou walkway; this took us along a river which is filled with one of the purest waters. As it takes 50 to 100 years to filter through the rocks. It said that 70% of New Zealand bottled water comes from this water source. That night we stayed in a very beautiful setting at McLaren Falls.
More rain today in the morning while we watched our laundry wash and dry in the machines. Then we drove on up to take a walk along the Te Waihou walkway; this took us along a river which is filled with one of the purest waters. As it takes 50 to 100 years to filter through the rocks. It said that 70% of New Zealand bottled water comes from this water source. That night we stayed in a very beautiful setting at McLaren Falls.
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