Kaikoura to Hanmer spring

Off again to Kaikoura , 180 north of Christchurch.

This is a BONUS and free while walking. A big fur seal having a nap in the hot sun.

Trying my super power but failed. spent a nite in Goosebay Camping Ground and next to the railway tracks. If you guys love wine then this is the place to come to.

My home for the nite surrounded by green and no noisy next doors.

This is useful as you go along guided us where to stop. I used the idea to drive to see wineyard, marine mammal encounters in Kaikoura enjoying the beautiful country scenery followed the trail to the delightful spa of Hanmer Springs.

Visiting Hanmer Springs was NOT in my itinerary. Yes.. I had one .About 140 km north of Christchurch with nice roads to drive. Less stress. Jumped into the thermal pools with lots of people. felt good . Found the Red tree, biigest in the world. Brought into Nz from USA. I felt so small.

Mount Cook Range

Soon I am going to a DOC and walked more than 1 hour passing 3 swing bridges to reach Hooker Valley.

A beautiful sight and difficult to express my feelings .

That is the view from my car fromMt Sefton at 9 pm.

 

The steep walk which was soul searching and to reach it was free.

the valley. Awesome .

Floating glacier and the water is freezing cold.

 

After this, I arrived Akaroa, a French settlement.Akaroa is about 85km of Christchurch. Strangely most of the streets are in French but the road to this place is steep and winding.Some of the architure survived with a beautiful beach to visit. I stayed in Duvachella camping ground for a nite. Made new friends here.

My hungry new friends.

9pm view from my camping ground. Akaroa has only only 550 permanent residents. In the daytime, saw so many tourist even from cruise ship.

 

It is NOT the toilet bowl but was used to cook whales.
I joined the local Black Cat cruise to see something smaller which gave me a bad tan.

Hector, the smallest species of dolphins.

Big caves with blue water. Along the way, I saw the Blue penguins swimming.

 

 

South Island Part 2

Wah.... now I know someone said to me: go North Island then only come to South. My blessing was that I had a couple more days of this beautiful island. An island with only 1 million people and a few millions of sheeps .

You get to see them everywhere.

My Crib for the next 7 days.

Geraldine, 45 km south of Mount Somers and 35 km from Timaru. Seriously so small but it wiil reward you with beautiful cheese and jam. Yummy.Stayed in Kiwi Park so peaceful just the sounds of birds. It is like living in a park.

Lovely cheese just dunno think in Rm. So fresh.

A ram to remind us that we are in Mackenzie Country, a dramatic region of open sheep grazed grasslands that shimmer in green . But the best part :

Lovely weeds strands of purple, pink and white lupins. It is regarded as weeds in Nz but to me, rows and rows of them melted my heart. The lakes here are mesmerizingly blue, light blue and many more shades to even to describe. Seeing is believing.

It does look like from the postcard but I SAW it. Phew.Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki are beautiful with vibrant colourfuls.

Next was the famous Lake Tekapo with the Church of the Good Sheperd. Since there was a wedding, we were not allowed in. Outside cukuplah.

Collie Dog Monument to honour dogs that make it possible to graze this harsh terrain.

For the first time in NZ... I spent a nite in a campsite by DOC. I was not keen but it really opened my eyes . NZD 10 per adult is required to spend a nite here with basic facilities but no showers. So pandai pandai sendiri.White Horse Hil Campsite is the place with a majestic view of Mount Sefton at the back. As I parked the campervan I could hear the avalanche of show.

A serene and informal DOC camping area. Next was walking to Hoover lake. Be prepared to walk but the walk will reward you with a surprise. Patience is required.

Auckland City II

A big and beautiful city but be prepared to walk. Joined the Auckland Explorer, a bus service to save time.

First stop: Auckland Museum
As usual, the entrance was skipped to the high fees. Walked around and lovely big building. For me, it is the Winter garden that was the moment.

I have never seen this type of lily. The purple is so rich and authentic.

A rainbow of flowers in a small area.

 

 

 

School trips. So well behaved waiting in the sun.

A fine park with rows of flowerbeds and spacious lawns.

Cute cute small white flowers along the way.

Within walking distances, Auckland Museum. It is on the highest point of the Auckland Domain. It has pillars reminding us of wars that had happened.

My lodging for my stay here in City Garden Lodge(mainly all backpackers from all over the world).This used to be the house of Queen Tonga but I di not feel like a queen.

The mess for 3 days before leaving for South Island again.

 

Auckland City Part I

It is taken from Skytower at 328m up. Admire stupendous views over the city. Cool place.

One very good choice is to visit KellyTarlton 's Antarctic to see penguin. Saw two types : blue and yellow. Feeding time.

Keeping all eyes on their eyes.

I just stood there to view the place.Trying to jimat, so it was a Touch N Go. Nearby was MOTAT.Museum of Transport and Technology entertaining walking by all the psat industrial machinery seeing all kinds of planes..The best was the tram ride from the zoo to Motat. Felt like a 5 year old kid again.

A group of new friends that I met after MOTAT.

I am sure it is not famous but it is fun to be here. The ducks, geese and even swans are here to welcome any visitors with food.

I cannot say what is this but I saw a lot in Nz. Chicken or duck? Very colourful.