Kaikoura

We drove through the Marlbough region and stopped for lunch outside of Kaikoura. 

This guy really wanted to eat with us.

The surfers didn't come to our rescue.

Kaikoura is Maouri for "eat crawfish". It also use to be a whaling village.

This was how it looked when we arrived.

We hiked up to the top of the peninsula.

Also spent some time lounging around.

Eventually we made our way into town.

And checked out the beautiful "black beaches"

Before leaving we made sure to say hello to some of our friends in the sea.

Abel Tasman

Dry campsite! Things are already looking up.

Time for a hike.

Oh wait, what?! We gotta ride with this guy first?

No docks needed. In Abel Tasman, tractors tow the boats out to sea.

Before the boat drops us off at the trail, we swing by Split Apple Rock. 

The boat arrives at the beach.

We find the trail and we're on our way.

Here is just a few shots of what we saw...

Convinced yet?

After a long day, Eric (our friendly water taxi guide) picks us up and takes us back to town where we enjoy delicious burgers at The Fat Tui!

Moeraki Boulders

On our way up to Christchurch we stopped at the Moeraki Boulders.

Great souvenir! Just need to re-adjust some things in my bag.

Dunedin

 

Back in 1906, visitors to Dunedin were welcomed to the city by its beautiful train station.

 

Our cabin at the Dunedin Holiday Park was our introduction to the legendary city.

Lucky for us, this was next door.

Just our luck, the weather was lousy so we went to the art museum.

There was an exhibit by New Zealand/Korean artist Seung Yul Oh.

There was a room that was basically one big giant beanbag.

It was fun.

When the sun came out, we made our way to the city's botanical gardens.

Before leaving town we had to stop off at the Speight's Brewery for a cold one.

As they say, it's the pride of the south

Pride of The States???

Milford Sound

Milford Sound was nice and sunny when we drove in from Queenstown.

So, we set up the tent and hung out by a nearby river.

Isn't this a nice photo of a cozy, dry, warm tent?

That didn't last long. "Heavy rains" blew in and left us soaked. Pretty sure "heavy rain" is kiwi for hurricane levels of rain and wind. 

After a cold wet night at the campground, we took a boat ride down the Milford Sound.

The rain stopped and the clouds parted just long enough for us to see the sights.

Hundreds of beautiful waterfalls...the one positive outcome of all the rain.

Grrrrrrrrrrrreat Geology!!!!!

The view of the mouth of the sound from the Tasman Sea.

Cold, wet, water logged sleeping bags & tents with heavy rains returning. An upgrade was in order. Too bad this was the only room available. Too bad.