Golden Bay, Nelson, Blenheim & Kaikoura

Catching Sea Perch (we also caught some blue cod, red cod, and tarakihi)

We got to keep 5 crayfish caught in metal cages (pots). They are similar to lobster except no front claws)- they were delicious

Dusky Dolphins

Kaikoura Penisula walkway

Beach out front of our rented holiday home

Kayaking near Tata islands in Golden Bay

Totaranui beach where we camped for one night

Christchurch Botanical Gardens

3 hour evening rogaining event in the Port Hills by Christchurch

Chris, Igor, and our mom arrived on December 14th. For the week before Christmas we did a tour of the northern part of the south island. We went to some beautiful spots, and even though we couldn't do our 3 day kayaking trip that we had planned (due to strong winds), we still did a day of kayaking (golfing for Brad), and a bit of shopping, a half day wine tour where we visited 5 vineyards, a dolphin cruise (that was supposed to involve swimming with the dolphins, but it was too windy), and an excellent day of ocean fishing.

Avalanche Peak

Crow Glacier

Avalanche Peak is a 1000 m day hike that starts in the town of Arthurs Pass- it is more of a climb than a hike in lots of spots but it only takes 4 hours to get to the top. Nice views up there- and we were joined by two beautiful Kea parrots that came and sat by us and were playing in the wind currents.

Sudden Valley

Top of 15 m waterfall

This one day hike went through a steep-walled gorge (that was quite the challenge to get through). It eventually opened up into a wide open river flat (Sudden Valley)- very beautiful!

Milford Track

2nd highest waterfall in the southern hemisphere (Sutherland Falls)

The Milford Track is in the heart of Fjordland and is probably New Zealand's most famous Great Walk. It is 53.5 km over 4 days with 1070m in elevation gain. Our first visitors from Canada (Jennie & Mike) were planning to do it- so Brad and I joined them. It is really popular and we had to book it over 4 months in advance. We were really lucky with the weather- it normally rains 2 out of every 3 days in that area- and we had 3 days of sun and one day of rain. But the one day of rain was enough- it was the heaviest rain we've ever experienced. The waterfalls were spectacular though! Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures that last day. We were so soaked! Thank goodness there are nice huts for people to sleep in and cook & eat in- tenting in that much rain wouldn't be fun!

Otehake Hot Springs

This Weka (large, flightless & fearless) woke me up at 3am- eating my lunch!

Otehake River

The pools without anyone in them

Soaking feet in the hot springs

Lake Kaurapataka

The Otehake hot springs are naturally occurring hot sulphur springs on the side of the Otehake river. They are the perfect temperature- like a hot tub! When the water level is really high, you wouldn't even know they are there- but most of the time it is low, and they are big enough to fit in 10 people (with a little digging!) They hike is only about five hours each way and most of it is flat, but it is through two chest-deep, freezing cold rivers (that can get impassable if it rains a lot), and down a very steep valley wall where sometimes you have nothing but tree roots to cling to for your life- but it is worth it!

Ben Ohau and Twizel

Looking over the town of Alexandra

From the top of Ben Ohau

Lake Tekapo

It was the Labour Weekend here. I spent it in the Mackenzie basin area, and Brad spent it golfing in Christchurch. We hiked up Ben Ohau and there were spectacular views. (Ben means mountain in Gaelic & the province of Central Otago is full of Scottish descendants, so there are a lot of "Bens"). The weather was beautiful- this area of the south island gets the hottest in the summer and coldest in the winter. This weekend it was about 5 to 7 degrees warmer than most other places (25 degrees).

Wharfedale Track & Ken Perrin Cup

On Saturday morning, it was cloudy and drizzling in Christchurch but as soon as we started driving up Mount Oxford, it turned completely clear & sunny. It isn't very high, but you could see the blanket of cloud over Christchurch. It cleared up there too in the afternoon, and went up to 24 degrees. Brad won the Ken Perrin Cup- a golf tournament.

Bealey Spur & Valley

This weekend I went to Arthur's Pass & we hiked Bealey Spur & Bealey Valley. There is a Mount Bealey too (but we didn't do that trail this time). A spur is a subsidiary summit of a mountain.
Beautiful views & beautiful weather!

Prebble Hill

This hill is covered in limestone boulders, with a gorgeous little river running by. We hiked through a sheep farm in the beginning. Thousands of baby lambs died last week all over New Zealand because of a cold spring storm that hit. Farmers don't have shelters for sheep since they don't usually need them, but during lambing season, the weather can get deadly for the little ones. Unfortunately that cold snap this year made it one of the worst lambing seasons ever.