Having arrived in Kaikoura in the dark, we were pleasantly surprised when we awoke with a beautiful view of snow topped mountains out our window. The clouds soon rolled in shrouding the snow caps from view. We headed out to walk on the windy peninsula, doing our best not to get knocked over by the breeze while enjoying the views of the mountains, the ocean, and the coastline going both north and south.
After walking around the Peninsula, we decide it was time to continue northward (given that we were relatively short on time). We stopped at a few places along the way, going for a nice walk to another beautiful waterfall (no shortage of those on the island). The waterfall is known for being the play place for young seal pups while their moms are out at sea (unfortunately, it was the wrong season for that).
We reached the Marlborough wine region, drove by vineyard after vineyard, and made a couple stops in the organic vineyard area to see the Seresin and Huia Vineyards and taste some wine (and some olive oil) before heading onward. It was a lovely drive back to Nelson and we were able to see part of the drive that we had missed the first night on the south island (on our initial drive from Picton which was half in the dark).
We had one last morning in New Zealand, and we took it upon ourselves to hike to the "Center of New Zealand," which just happens to be on the top of a hill in Nelson with a gorgeous view of the Tasman Bay and the mountains in all other directions. It was a great way to end our stay on the south island. We then headed to Nelson Airport, and all one gate. We sat there waiting for our plane and were surprised by the totally non-existent official security. We walked into the airport, dropped our rental car key in a little box, and then when our plane arrived we walked straight from the main area of the airport, all 10 meters, out the other side of it through a glass door and onto the runway to our plane - no checking for liquids, explosives, knives, or funky creatures, just our boarding passes. The flight was a 25 minute flight from Nelson to Wellington, and though there were clouds a good portion of the way, there were some beautiful views of the Marlborough Sounds and the Cook Strait (with both the South and the North Island).
For all of the photos from New Zealand, visit the ALBUM!
First view of the morning - Snow capped mountains
View looking back from the Kaikoura Peninsula
View of the Peninsula Coastline, looking toward Christchurch
Seals Sunbathing on the Peninsula
After walking around the Peninsula, we decide it was time to continue northward (given that we were relatively short on time). We stopped at a few places along the way, going for a nice walk to another beautiful waterfall (no shortage of those on the island). The waterfall is known for being the play place for young seal pups while their moms are out at sea (unfortunately, it was the wrong season for that).
Little Waterfall on the East Coast
Stormy weather on the east coast road, heading north
We reached the Marlborough wine region, drove by vineyard after vineyard, and made a couple stops in the organic vineyard area to see the Seresin and Huia Vineyards and taste some wine (and some olive oil) before heading onward. It was a lovely drive back to Nelson and we were able to see part of the drive that we had missed the first night on the south island (on our initial drive from Picton which was half in the dark).
Marlborough Vineyards
Seresin Estate Vineyard
We had one last morning in New Zealand, and we took it upon ourselves to hike to the "Center of New Zealand," which just happens to be on the top of a hill in Nelson with a gorgeous view of the Tasman Bay and the mountains in all other directions. It was a great way to end our stay on the south island. We then headed to Nelson Airport, and all one gate. We sat there waiting for our plane and were surprised by the totally non-existent official security. We walked into the airport, dropped our rental car key in a little box, and then when our plane arrived we walked straight from the main area of the airport, all 10 meters, out the other side of it through a glass door and onto the runway to our plane - no checking for liquids, explosives, knives, or funky creatures, just our boarding passes. The flight was a 25 minute flight from Nelson to Wellington, and though there were clouds a good portion of the way, there were some beautiful views of the Marlborough Sounds and the Cook Strait (with both the South and the North Island).
Needle pointing to the Center of New Zealand
View of Cook Strait with the South Island and North Island of New Zealand
The Wellington airport was an odd site, with the terminal dubbed the "Middle of Middle Earth" and sporting giant Lord of the Rings sculptures. We had managed to miss nearly all things Lord of the Rings while in New Zealand (with the exception of some postage stamps). Imagine being greeted by the lovely face of a giant Gollum. After then passing through international security (which was slightly more rigorous), we headed back to Australia.
Gollum, inside the Wellington Airport
For all of the photos from New Zealand, visit the ALBUM!
No comments:
Post a Comment