SOUTH ISLAND NEW ZEALAND Nov 17

We have wanted to see the wild flowers (Lupins) in the South Island New Zealand for the last 4 years but a few problems stopped us. The Lupins which arn't native to NZ come out about mid November. Some people see them as pests but they are a major tourist attraction with all there colors and are mostly in rugged land by streams or lakes. We had planned on being back to travel the Mid West and over to the East of USA but have had to delay it. We needed a break so we decided on the South Island and booked and flew out from Brisbane about 3 days later, arriving in Christchurch on the afternoon of the 18th November. Picked up our rental car from Ezi car rental at the airport and headed for our motel Parkview on Hagley which looks over Hagley Park. As it dosn't get dark until after 9pm, we decided to go for a walk through centre of park into Christchurch city for a look. Park was beautiful with all its gardens but city was devastated. We were there last in March/April 2009 and it was a beautiful city but after the quake in 2011, its a mess. Lots of rebuilding going on but at the rate its going will probably be another 20 years before its back to its glory. We have pics from 09 that we will never get again. I will try and post an 09 one here as well as ones from now.

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This one taken in 09

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Same building. 2017

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Part of the container mall.

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Met my great great great grandfather in Christchurch. As you can see, he was real proud of me. :)

Next day we had to find a hospital as I had left my wash bag containing my blood pressure tablets at home. I knew I could get away with one day without them but wasn't sure about any longer hahaha. Waited 2 hours to see a doctor and it took him 2 minutes to check the pressure and write a script. That was $100nz. I wont forget next time.

Earlier in the day, we went into Hagley Park to look at the beautiful gardens including Rose gardens. Stunning huge roses. all colors.

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Entrance to rose garden.

Next day Monday the 20th, we headed out of town to the West coast via Arthurs Pass. Beautiful drive with lots of photo opportunities. All the different shades of color bring another WOWW when you go around the next corner.

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These pics were all on the drive through Arthurs Pass.

On to Hokitika, pronounced Ho key tick a. Nice little town on the West Coast. Few pics and some lunch.

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Hokitika sign made out of drift wood.

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Main St.

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Plenty of big chairs around.

We headed on down to Franz Joseph Glacier village.

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Couple of big Moa birds. Native to NZ. I watched them for a while but they didn't do anything.

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Main Street Franz Joseph.

We carried on down to Fox Glacier Village where we stayed the night. Lake Matheson is just out of town and we were hoping for a great day the next morning.

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Where we had dinner.

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Another relation from way back.

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Price per litre. 4 litres to the US Gal. NZ dollars.

I have no idea how i'm going at the moment so I will check and come back later for another day.

Keithg

Thanks for sharing Keith. Those comparative photos are interesting. Yes, Christchurch was a beautiful city - so sad. I too have many great memories of Arthur Pass. The South Island is so beautiful. I look forward to reading more of this trip.

Lifey

Thank you Lifey. It is very sad. Lots of people told us that they just cant go back there again. Some of the stories we were told by a lady that was in the middle of it all were horrific. I had a couple more pics there as well of Christchurch but went over my photo quota. :) I have a sister who is going to be doing the train trip through Arthurs Pass end of February. Will be interesting to hear about it. Just having a coffee and then will attempt to do another couple of days.

Here we go again. Its now Tuesday morning the 21st of November. Margaret and I get out of bed and go and fill the car up with fuel and then head out to Lake Matheson which is only about 3 miles out of Fox Glacier Village. Unfortunately it was overcast and we didn't know what our chances were of seeing the great reflections. We have a big canvas Panoramic on our wall from last time there when the sun was out. Clouds were down a bit low that time as well covering the mountains in background. But reflections had to be seen. Magnificent.
We parked the car by the Café and off we went on our walk. Took us about 20 minutes to walk to a lookout point of lake. We didn't walk right around. It takes about an hour and a half to do that.
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Interesting sign. There are a lot of helicopters in use here and the Glaciers.

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Overcast but still a great reflection.

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I made the mistake of singing kids nursery rhymes like "wheels on the bus" to Margaret and she took off and when I got onto the swing bridge she shook it. Real mean I thought. :)
We got back to the café and had some breakfast. For anyone thinking of heading out to the lake, take some Rid or something similar. Lots of sandflies.

We moved on down the Island heading for our next stop at Wanaka. Lots of tourist everywhere and heavy bookings for accommodation. Have to be real careful driving as some tourists have no idea on how to drive. Been a few head on crash's. A coach driver told us one of there coach's was heading out to Milford Sound a couple of weeks before and rammed a car that had just stopped in the middle of the road just around a corner and they occupants were out taking selfies of themselves in front of the beautiful scenery. we were following 4 or 5 motorhomes and as we came down a slope on to the ocean front near Haast, the front motor home just stopped in the middle of the road. 2nd one went to the right and the third to the left. Next one just stopped in the middle of road. We of course stopped and cars coming the other way all stopped. Tourists must have been thinking how they could take some more selfies. hahaha. All good.
On the way south to Wanaka, you run along side the north end of Lake Wanaka. Then you turn in land for a few minutes and come across Lake Hawea. The sun was shining great again by now and the view was magnificent. Spoke with some young people in a motorhome who were from a few different European countries. They all had been in university in Brisbane and were due to fly back home to there respective countries for Christmas. They decided to fly to the South Island for a holiday look before heading home. They had a picnic table and chairs set up having something to eat while looking at the magnificent view. Pretty cool we thought.

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Students having picnic. Couldn't get a better view.

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Great hat. hahaha.

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Starting to come across some wild flowers. Margaret wants more colors.

We stayed in the local Hotel at Wanaka. We were happy with our stay there in 09 and we were again this time. Our room wasn't that big but had everything we wanted and was only 100 yards from the Lake. Best of all was a ice cream shop straight across the road from Hotel. On every Tuesday for November they were selling $1 a scoop ice creams. Of course I had to have one. I had $2 worth. We went down to the Lake and had a paddle. It was icy cold and very refreshing. So clear.

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How could this scene be more beautiful. :) :)

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Have to check where some of my photo's went. May have gone to the wrong spot. Back later.

We had a look around down at the Lake and then headed for Arrowtown via Cromwell. Cromwell is wine and grape country. Went into a roadside stall and topped up on some fresh fruit.

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On to Arrowtown a little town with a one way main street. Real cool place where I keep looking to see if the Duke, John Wayne is going to ride in. Old gold mining town. We found accommodation in a Big 10 Caravan park that has cabins. Cabin had a queen sized bed and 2 bunks. Plus some cooking facilities. Friendly place and to make it even better, Margaret caught up with her sister who happened to be over in the South Island from Perth in Western Australia. Joy had come over and was down there with her daughterJodie who is the top female Drift car racer in NZ. They didn't know each other was going to be in the South Island and we managed to get them a cabin as well. They had been out riding horse's in Glenorchy where we were heading to later. Had an awesome dinner in Arrowtown at Slowcook.

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Been a long time.

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Must mention the I centre's here. They are in most NZ towns and are so much help. Our son and daughter in law bought us a boat trip on the old steamer, the Earnslaw at Queenstown. It had to be confirmed a day or two before and they arranged everything for us. They arrange accommodation also.

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Main St.

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Arrowtown has the best bakery ever and I just got sprung walking out with some hot pies. I did get one for Margaret. A vegie pie. I had a Lamb and mint one and a Apricot Chicken one. Yeah, well I was hungry.

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Found some Lupins down by a stream.

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Big day tomorrow as we head into Queenstown for our Earnslaw ride.

Great report Keith, I am loving the photo's. Great job ! New Zealand is a place I would love to visit one day and your report has stirred that emotion. Sad to see the destruction and heartache a quake can cause, but I am sure it will come right in the end. What a great surprise for the sisters !!

Looking forward to more !

Dave.

I think Jodie may have enjoyed playing in my Nissan at some stage. The S13/240SX is used by most top drifters this side of the pond, although I think she would have outgrown mine now at the level she is. ;-)

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Dave.

Yes Dave hahaha. Probably. Been doing it for a while now. Jodie is really good. Not sure but may have a Supra now. I will have to check with her.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQk44WkESM0 My niece Jodie in action.

Yeah the Supra is a great car and the girls got skills !

Dave.

hahaha She certainly has. Have a look at this one.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGYrk9VyANs

Now I better get back to my report.

Thursday the 23rd and we get up and have a bite to eat and a drink with Joy and Jodie. We bis them farewell as they had to get to Christchurch and catch a plane. Was a surprise and a great catch up. We headed into Queenstown about 12 miles away to catch the Earnslaw and head to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a BBQ lunch. Queenstown accommodation was booked out and for around twice the price at least of where we were staying. Worth doing the little drive. We found a free safe parking spot a long side Lake Wakatipu and had a 10 minute walk along side the lake to where the ferry was docked at the bottom end of town.

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The old girl soon got up a head of steam and away we went across the lake. Just beautiful.

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The main house where we had our BBQ dinner. A Carvery Buffet. Every kind of meat beautifully bbq'd and every kind of salad you could think of. Roasted veggies and sweets including ice cream. I had everything.

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Away it goes to get another load of people.

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Dogs rounded the sheep up for shearing.

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Beautiful gardens.

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Oh noo. its coming back for us. We should have asked if we could have stayed for the next ride back. Didn't see everything.

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Time to leave this beautiful farm.

We had a walk around Queenstown and then headed back to Arrowtown via the Shotover Rapids to see the Jet boats. At $149 a ride, we decided to give that a miss but very spectacular though.

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Very spectacular and not much water.

Tomorrow Glenorchy. Keith

3.785 liters to a US gallon, 1 NZD is 71.5 US cents, that makes gas $6.05 a gallon and diesel $4.27 a gallon. US average today is about $2.50 a gallon for regular unleaded 87 gas and $3.00 for diesel and premium unleaded 91 to 93 gas.

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Originally Posted by glc

3.785 liters to a US gallon, 1 NZD is 71.5 US cents, that makes gas $6.05 a gallon and diesel $4.27 a gallon. US average today is about $2.50 a gallon for regular unleaded 87 gas and $3.00 for diesel and premium unleaded 91 to 93 gas.

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Thanks for that. Just checked the local prices here in Brisbane. Unleaded 91 approx. 1.30. Unleaded 95 1.40. Unleaded 98 1.50. Diesel approx. 1.30. 1 Aussie dollar is 79 US cents.

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Originally Posted by keithg

Diesel approx. 1.30. 1 Aussie dollar is 79 US cents.

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Diesel at the BP next to where I live has been $1.24.9 (US$3.70) for the last two years. At present in outback NSW it is averaging around $1.35

I got the majority of my US dollars for the up coming trip when it stood at 80c against the greenback. May need some more.

Lifey

Your octane numbers are different than ours. You use RON, we use AKI. Your 91/95/98 are equivalent to our 87/90/93.

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Originally Posted by glc

Your octane numbers are different than ours. You use RON, we use AKI. Your 91/95/98 are equivalent to our 87/90/93.

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I didn't know that. Wonder why they have different names. Confusing.

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Originally Posted by Lifemagician

Diesel at the BP next to where I live has been $1.24.9 (US$3.70) for the last two years. At present in outback NSW it is averaging around $1.35

I got the majority of my US dollars for the up coming trip when it stood at 80c against the greenback. May need some more.

Lifey

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I wish we had done that lifey. You told me to but I'm old and silly. :) we will have to stay at cheaper places next time over plus gas is cheaper than what it was last visit.

Friday morning we pulled out of the Big 10 Park in Arrowtown and headed for Glenorchy. Margaret's sister Joy had shown us photo's of her and her daughter Jodie riding horse's there and the wild Lupins were as high as the horse's. Drove through Queenstown and then had a spectacular drive around the side of Lake Wakatipu to Glenorchy.

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Some clever person made this Tui, a native NZ bird that has a white tuff of feathers on its neck. There was two of them. Really well done.

Glenorchy, pronounced Glen orc he, so we found out, is a small town with spectacular views and we had great coffee and lunch there. The flowers were as promised and with lake and mountains in background.

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Native girl I found in the flowers.

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Native boy doing the traditional Haka amongst the Lupins.

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We then headed back to Queenstown and on to Te Anau. Pronounced Tea Arn ow. Well, I do anyway. :) We found accommodation through the local I Centre. Probably because everything was pretty heavily booked, the motel wouldn't honor there advertised price but we wernt arguing over 10 or 15 dollars. We went down to the lake and ate Fish and Chips. Could have gone to Milford Sound, a really spectacular place but with so many tourists and lots of rude ones at that, we gave it a miss. We had been there before. But I do recommend the drive out there for a look and a cruise. Looked at taking a cruise to Doughtful Sounds but I didn't want to buy the boat. Can drive there in about 2 hours apparently. Wish we had done it. Next time.

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Some fluffy little chic's finding dinner under the watchful eyes of the mothers.

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Water was quite refreshing. Freezing in fact. Woke me up.

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Lake Te Anau.

Saturday the 25th we leave Te Anau and head for Invercargill and Bluff. another hot sunny day. No humidity though which was good. Had a look at Lake Manapouri and also the Clifton Suspension bridge that was built in 1898. Called into Gemstone beach where Margaret found some great looking rocks. Wants to take them home. We also called into Monkey Island. Lots of hard sand where family's were having lots of fun. I didn't see any Monkey's though. Cosy Nook was picture perfect. Farmer had opened his gates for tourists to get down to ocean for a look. Had a special little building for people to use when the urge arose hahaha. Long Drop Lodge. Short Stay Only.

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Checked it out and as it says, I only had a short stay. It was a very long drop hahaha.

All the fields were so green and lots of sheep mostly with 2 lambs each. We passed through Invercargill and went straight to Bluff. Nothing much there but I suppose we can say we went to the southern most part of NZ except for Stewart Island. Back to Invercargill.

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Couple of old buildings in Invercargill. We got another cabin through the I Centre. Then went into town for look and some dinner.
Next morning we were up and Margaret wanted a pic of this old water tower. Which I have just found I havnt uploaded. Never mind. When we were at the I centre the old Indian Motorcycle was there. One from the movie "The Worlds Fastest Indian". About Kiwi Burt Munro and how he took his bike to the Salt Lakes.

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We then headed for Bill Richardson's "Transport world." Bill has passed away but his wife and family have kept the museum going and it is fantastic. Margaret wasn't keen on going but was happy she did. A lady Tracy who works there was so helpful with advice and also told us some horrific stories from when she lived in Christchurch during the earth quake. I doubt we even saw everything but we recommend this museum . Old cars. Old trucks. Model vehicles. Wearable art. Even the bathrooms were different making use of drums for example.

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Both those pics were taken in the bathrooms.

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Wearable Art.

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This model made completely with match sticks.

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One for you Dave. :)

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The Grill. Café.

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My Hot chocolate with a bar of chocolate laying across the top. I did share the bar with Margaret.

Great place. Would go again for sure and good price. Think it was about $23-50 each pensioner rates. Now leaving Invercargill and heading for Dunedin. Back later.

Keith

Great Hat indeed!

Loving the photos and the wry commentary.

Mark

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One for you Dave. :)

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How did you know Keith !?!

Me polishing my Dads new Mk 1 GT. haha

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(Sorry, no more distractions) lol

Dave.

PS. Enough talk of fuel prices, It depresses me ! A US gallon costs around $6.50 in the UK !!

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Originally Posted by keithg

I didn't know that. Wonder why they have different names. Confusing.

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Best explained here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octane_rating

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Originally Posted by Mark Sedenquist

Great Hat indeed!

Loving the photos and the wry commentary.

Mark

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Thanks Mark. I'm getting puffed and i'm only half way. That hat. Cant remember where it was now but there were lots of people around. May have been in Akaroa where there was a cruise ship in port. This gentleman kept staring at my hat. Thought he must be staring at something else so I moved but he kept staring at hat. May have been a member. I didn't get a chance to ask. I'm pretty sure I didn't have any big blow flies hovering above my head. :)

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Originally Posted by Southwest Dave

How did you know Keith !?!

Me polishing my Dads new Mk 1 GT. haha

Attachment 4748

(Sorry, no more distractions) lol

Dave.

PS. Enough talk of fuel prices, It depresses me ! A US gallon costs around $6.50 in the UK !!

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Hahaha I took a guess Dave. You did a great job polishing your dad's car. I have owned 2. Must have been a Mk2. Square one and also a later one, station wagon with a 6 cyl in it.

After we finished our little snack at the Transport World café, we headed for Dunedin, a city with a lot of Scottish heritage. We wanted to take the scenic route but lots of road works that way so we took the direct route. Resealing of road and we didn't want to get the rental car in a mess. We found a motel ok and we booked in for 2 nights. Garden Motel had everything we needed including laundry which we made use of. Hosts were real friendly and gave us lots of advice on where to go and what to see. Lots of old magnificent buildings around the south island and Dunedin is no exception. The railway building is worth a look. Margaret wants to go back again at some time in the future. Loved the shops.

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The Railway Station.

We drove out to some old castle that some friends told us was pretty spooky to stay at but didn't go in. I wasn't going to pay 40 odd dollars to see some old junk. Bit different to the Transport museum. You could drive that stuff. lol. Drove to Portobello and had a coffee. I talked to a gentleman about photography for ages while Margaret took some pics.

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Not a lot there but a pretty drive out there. If we had carried on another few miles, we could have seen the Gannetts take off.

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I'm in there and i'm drinking coffee. Never had an ice cream.

We headed back into town and then went north to see the Moeraki Boulders. On the way we called into this other place called Shag Point. Lots of seals sun bathing and swimming in the extremely clear water. No, I have no idea why it was called that. lol.
Moeraki Boulders is quite a few perfectly round boulders at the waters edge and a couple in the earth bank. Have no idea what they are about. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moeraki_Boulders

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It was time for another snack. I'm a growing boy.

Then it was on to Oamaru. What a neat little town this was. We both loved all the buildings. We have a good friend who grew up there and we wondered why he left.

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We then left for Omarama where we stayed the night. Village is at a T intersection where if you turn left, you head for Wanaka and right to go to Lake Tekapo.

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Right across the road from Motel. How could I not go in. Have to support local business.

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About 1 or 2 miles out of town towards Tekapo was this bridge looking down on all the wild Lupins. Campers in amongst them all.

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Ahuriri river is what the bridge crosses. I need a break. My eyes need to look at something different. Back soon.

Keith

Had some grapes for breakfast and then headed out crossing the bridge with the Lupins beneath. Went up through Twizel and then took the Mt Cook turn off. If it had been a nice sunny day we would probably gone all the way to Mt Cook but it wasn't so about 3/4 of the way there turned around and came back with thought in back of head that we may be lucky and get some accommodation in Tekapo.

http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo...e_Tekapo_4.jpg

It was time for a rest. Margaret said I was mad but I already knew that. Saw a photo of a friend from the Netherlands doing it once and I thought if she could do it, I could. Got back to Tekapo but place booked out and unfortunately weather still slightly overcast. Cant complain though. On the whole trip we had 2 or 3 overcast days and not one wet day. Fairly hot up to 30c but no humidity. We had coffee and some lunch and then walked down to lake for some shots. This is where we were expecting our best shots of the flowers. With lake in background and hoping for a bit of snow on mountains way in background. Clouds a bit low but if we looked hard enough we could see it.

http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo...e_Tekapo_3.jpg

Native boy again with that hat.

http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo...e_Tekapo_7.jpg

http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo...e_Tekapo_6.jpg

Church of the Good Shepard in the distance. I read somewhere once that the church is the most photographed church in the world.

http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo...e_Tekapo_5.jpg

I have seen photo's taken from inside looking out that big window of the lake and Mt Cook covered in snow in the distance. This day there was a wedding on there so couldn't do it.

http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo...e_Tekapo_2.jpg

http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo...e_Tekapo_1.jpg

Margaret and I spent some time explaining to people about this dog. The story goes that its master used to go into the shepherds huts and keep the shepherd talking while the dog used to round the sheep up and chase them into another valley. The dog was pretty smart and seemed to know when Shepherd was going to come out and would hide down in the grass until he went back inside. They were finally caught and the guy went to prison and the dog was put down. I think they should have used the dog for breeding it was that smart. They should put a sign up explaining the story. I have since spoken with Brendan Dugan who had a hit with a song "McKenzie and his dog." Asked him if there was anything he could do to have a better sign explaining the story there. He said, " Funny you should say that. I just finished recording the song for a DVD for NZ tourism to be released any time in the new year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKjxjN0GbRo&t=10s The song. Brendan Dugan.

We decided we better get moving after taking lots of pics and head for Timaru back on the east coast. Had a great run except for a 15 min stop waiting for a house to go past. It was on the back of a truck. Didn't have a steering wheel or anything. :) Stayed the night in Timaru but we didn't really like the place. Sorry Timaru. Main st looked nice with all the decorations up.

http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo...m/Timaru_1.jpg

Tomorrow we head for Akaroa for a night and then the last two nights back in Christchurch before flying home.

We left Timaru and headed up through Ashburton where we drove around a few streets of shops there and kept going much to Margaret's disappointment. I didn't see any parking spots. Margaret likes shops but I was the driver and the brakes failed. :-) We stopped at Rakaia and had coffee and meat pie's. Well, you have to stop for food don't you. Margaret took a pic of a giant Salmon.

http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo...um/Rakaia_.jpg

We drove on and instead of heading straight for Christchurch, turned right and headed over lots of hills towards Akaroa. Lots of tight curves and some crazy driving. Wish some people would concentrate on where there driving. Akaroa was originally a French settlement but they were a bit slow in putting there flag up. The British heard the French were planning on raising there flag there and raced down and put there's up. The town still keeps some of the French flavour though. Le Hotel. We had been there before in 09 and there were a lot of buildings painted with bright colours like blue, yellow. But after the 2011 Christchurch quake, it changed apparently. Some damage was done in Akaroa and when the repairs were done, they didn't put the colours back which we thought was a shame. There was a cruise ship in port when we arrived there so lots of people looking around. A different cruise ship came in the next day as well. Apparently they cant get into Christchurch since the quake. We parked the car and went walking, found the I Shop and booked a motel. The Akaroa Waterfront Motel was right on the edge of lake. Great room with view.

http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo...m/Akaroa_3.jpg

We walked down town along side the lake and drank more coffee and scones with cream and fresh raspberry jam.

http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo...m/Akaroa_6.jpg

Can go out on a boat and swim with the Hector Dolphins, the only place in the world I read that you can do that.

http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo...m/Akaroa_7.jpg

One of the buildings that still has the bright colours.

Bit more looking around and then we bought some Fish and Chips and took it back to our motel where we sat on the balcony and enjoyed the view while we demolished them. Next morning Margaret was up and out hoping to catch a photo of a nearby jetty with reflections like the one on the wall in room. I think she did a good job.

http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo...m/Akaroa_2.jpg

We went for a walk again along side the lake and found this artist. Didn't look to busy so thought he may want to paint a picture of us.

http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo...m/Akaroa_5.jpg

http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo...m/Akaroa_9.jpg

He did a better job of Margaret than me.

http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo.../Akaroa_10.jpg

http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo.../Akaroa_12.jpg

Couple of ways you could get to see around. That bike had a V8 in it.

http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo...m/Akaroa_8.jpg

Some clever people in the world.

http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo...m/Akaroa_4.jpg

What a waste. lol

http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo.../Akaroa_11.jpg

The wharf where you leave from to go and swim with the Hector Dolphins.

Margaret went for a walk up this steep hill to have a look at the Giants House. Lots of stuff made out of Mosaic tiles.

https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Attra...th_Island.html

I didn't go as I was puffed. I sat on a seat just by the ice cream shop until she came back.

http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo...um/Giant_1.jpg

http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo...um/Giant_2.jpg

Time to head out. We wound our way out over the hills back to Christchurch where we would stay the last two nights. Stayed at same motel as our first two nights. Parkview over Hagley. They updated us to a better room. Had a spa bath. We had a walk in the park

http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo...tchurch_16.jpg

The next day, Saturday we drove up Riccarton Rd to a shopping centre. Margaret didn't buy anything though. Likes to study things for a few visits before buying in case she changes mind on wether she likes it or not. Crazy thing is we wernt going back. Hope she dosn't read this. I'm happy she dosn't waste money. :) Riccarton road is still very damaged from the quake and its a roller coaster ride driving along it. We went to a car wash and washed all the bugs off it ready for return to depot at airport.
Back to the motel and went for another last walk into the city. Looked at a couple of things we had missed before and then headed back through park where a bagpipe band was practicing. Watched for a few minutes and back to motel to make sure everything was ready for departure next morning. Lucky we went down to the car a bit later as someone had backed there car in along side and we couldn't even get in to open the door. Margaret being the slimmer of us both got in the other side and managed to climb over to driver seat and get the car out. Shifted it to another spot.
We left the motel at 3-30am so we could drop car back ezi car rental by 4am. Did that easy right outside the door of airport. Flight left at about 6-30am NZ daylight saving time and arrived back in Brisbane at about 7am Brisbane time. A 3 1/2hr flight.

Be back with a summery.

We had an awesome trip and were really lucky with the weather. Had 2 or 3 days that were overcast but a couple of them improved to sunshine as the day went on. Temperature's ranged from low 20's to low 30's Celsius but no humidity. Was very busy in places but that had to be expected as in peak tourist season. Our visit apart from visiting a beautiful Island was to see the wild flowers, the Lupins. We did that but a week later would have been better but it may have rained as well. We both grew up in the North Island and left in 71. Went back in mid 74 for 21 months and then left again. North Island is beautiful as well but the South Island is the best. Amazing place. If you could only go to one Island, pick the South.

Costs. Air Fares. Two return airfares from Brisbane to Christchurch. $1034 88 Au.

Car Rental with full tank of fuel. Take car back low as possible. $1057 19 NZ.

Car had full insurance but we covered the excess with our travel insurance.

Travel Insurance $171 76 NZ

Fuel or Gas, call it whatever plus a $18 NZ car wash. $386 40 NZ.

Accommodation $2219 00 NZ.

Food and drink. $792 38 NZ.

Incidentals witch included my hospital visit of $100. I didn't claim it
as it was my own fault and the insurance would probably go way up
next trip. Also bought a usb hard drive, Few other small items. $446 11 NZ

TOTAL COSTS including the Australian priced air fares.
Not a lot of difference in NZ and Aussie dollar. $6107 72 NZ

Hope everyone enjoyed the journey. We certainly did. Have so many great memories and photo's. Roughly about 1800 lol.
Margaret and I aren't fans of cities but we always tell people that everyone should once in there life time visit Las Vegas. Same
goes for the South Island of New Zealand.

Until the next time. Cheers. Keith.

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I sat on a seat just by the ice cream shop until she came back.

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So glad you wasn't overcome by temptation !! Yeah right. Haha.

Dave.

hahahahaha I tried to behave but the Ice creams were just to tempting. The road that Margaret had to walk up to get to the Giants house was straight opposite so I had no choice but to wait by the Ice cream shop. I didn't want the shop to think I was up to no good hanging around so I had to become a customer. :-)

Keith.

Thanks Keith. Most enjoyable read.

Was thinking of you when I was in a lovely Bakery in Dubbo this week just gone. Went in to get bread, but they had that lovely ice cream bar, and since it was mid 40s outside bought a large cone of Rum and Raisin. The tennis was on TV and I sat there for an hour in the air conditioned shop, watching the tennis and thinking of you. (You'd love it!) Walked out without getting the bread. LOL

Lifey

Nice report! So glad you shared it!


Donna

Thank you Donna. It was fun. Hopefully the next one will be from your land. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lifemagician

Thanks Keith. Most enjoyable read.

Was thinking of you when I was in a lovely Bakery in Dubbo this week just gone. Went in to get bread, but they had that lovely ice cream bar, and since it was mid 40s outside bought a large cone of Rum and Raisin. The tennis was on TV and I sat there for an hour in the air conditioned shop, watching the tennis and thinking of you. (You'd love it!) Walked out without getting the bread. LOL

Lifey

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hahaha Hope you didn't go hungry without the bread Lifey. Next time we go through Dubbo, I will have to find an excuse to check bakery out. Talking about rum and Raisin, I had double one yesterday. Margaret and I were at Mt Tambourine and I got lost in the one street that is there. Gallery walk. Margaret looks at all the stuff and takes ages. I stumbled across this air conditioned, shady with a view ice cream shop so just had to have a Rum and Raisin one. Just finished when Margaret found me. :) She had this crazy idea she would find me there. lol.
Keith

Loved your trip report. It brought back memories of our South Pacific, Australia & New Zealand cruise trip in Oct. 2016. Dunedin & Akaroa were two of the seven ports we stopped at. We had the same portrait in Akaroa! I had really wanted to see the Moeraki Boulders but we were sticking to cruise excursions since DH didn't want to drive on the wrong side of the road. ;) We almost didn't get to see Milford & Doubtful sound because of a storm that BLEW us from Hobart to New Zealand! The day was rainy and overcast but glad we got to see the Fjords.

Utahtea

That was great that you had an enjoyable trip. We saw others getting there portraits done as well in Akaroa hahaha. Might be silly but it was fun. Boulders were interesting. Perfectly round. Wondered if someone had made them and dumped them there. :) We have only been to Milford sounds and it was rainy and overcast. Was 2009. They told us that it was perfect weather for the sounds as all the water falls would be running. They were and that was great but I would still like to see it on a sunny day. One of my sons has and the photo's were perfect. We are happy you enjoyed our report.

Cheers. Keithg