21 Days, South Island New Zealand

[irv]

Thanks for sharing the Chch pictures. It was my home for my Uni days and it makes me sad still to see the damage - the Town Hall and fountains, where I have photos taken after my Admission, and the Cathedral, where I worked in the attached cafe during one year at Uni.

Looking forward to seeing the rest of the trip!

Interesting the big metal structure was erected to support the front of the church after the 2011 quake. Apparently when the one in 2016 struck it acted like a huge sledge hammer, moving back and forward into the facade it was designed to protect, ironic actually.

 

[irv]

Our next destination Kaikoura. We head north following the coast most of the way, and not withstanding the main road was reopened in December 2017, there is still a massive amount of reconstruction work taking place along the route. The day was cool and windy however that didn't stop the sightseeing. Fabulous to see ocean on one side of the road and snow covered peaks on the other, fantastic views. Having said that, I must say I prefer our beaches over theirs, much easier to lie on.

 

[ellen10]

I am sorry for your loss.
Looks like you trip was a special time with your grandson. I am enjoying the photos.

 

[irv]

The next morning we booked a trip on a whale spotting cruise that afternoon, which gave us the morning to explore. First destination was a place called Rahui, interesting rock formations and a splendid background of Snow covered peaks. The tide was out which allowed us to walk along the rock platforms, unfortunately we came across the body of a dead seal which appeared to have been deposited by the tide. There was also a live one but he/she was a bit camera shy. Weather was perfect for an afternoon voyage on the ocean.

 

[irv]

That afternoon we were picked up by bus for our whale watching adventure. Living on the mid north coast we are used to regular whale sighting twice a year as they head on their journeys either north or south however they are mainly Southern Right Whales or Humpbacks. It was interesting as we drove into the bay to hear the story about the morning after the 2016 earthquake, when the crews came back to check the craft, they were up on a hill, 7 meters higher than where they had been moored courtesy of the tsunami that followed the quake. Must have been one hell of a wave.

 

[irv]

As we head out we are pursued by a pod of Hector Dolphins riding the waves and scooting under the boat, so quick do the move that it is difficult to get a good shot. Also lots of seabirds including albatross Petrels and Shearwaters.

 

[irv]

Finally we encounter what we have come to see, a large sperm whale. Apparently the sperm whales of Kaikoura are all males and congregate here due to the deep canyon off the coast. You wonder how something so large can be so elegant. We had two encounters with the one whale, great to get so close to such a magnificent animal and watch it wave goodbye with its tail.

 

[kermatu]

Great pics.

 

[irv]

The next day saw us on our way to Nelson, at the top of the South Island. The weather was ordinary the say the least with a cold wind and rain, accordingly there were not many photo ops. Irv juniors mood matched the weather, I think he was a bit unsettled by the constant relocations, plus being forced to stay in the car did not help. Oh well, I know a few grown ups who whinge about such things themselves. Dinner that night was at the Smugglers Pub, I have taken the liberty of pinching a few of their photos off trip adviser as I took none of my own, which I am sure they won't mind as I am recommending it. Ambience, food and drink were all good, worth a visit if in the neighborhood.

.

 

[irv]

The next morning saw the sun reappear, so we were up and on our way to visit parts of the Abel Tasman Park. Our first stop was Ngarua Caves, located on a private property. We all donned hard hats and embarked on our own private tour where we learnt a bit of history about the site. Whilst the cave system was not large it had a number of stalactites ans staliagmites, plus plenty of Moa skeletons which Irv junior was particularly interested in. An informative way to spend an hour.

 

[irv]

As we ascended above ground we overlooked where some of the Lord of the Rings movie was filmed, seems like it was filmed everywhere in NZ

 

[irv]

We head further into the park, there is a well defined walking tack that takes you along the coast, a nice part of the world with a variety of driftwood on the beach and nature made climbing frames for a healthy 10 year old.

 

[kpc]

It looks like a great trip...I hope it fills you and your grandson with great memories

 

[irv]

Next day was departure day to the West Coast with the destination of Milford Sound, we are however breaking this trip with an overnight stay at Punakaiki. We head west on State Highway 6, with some nice countryside encountered as we head to our first stop on the route, the Buller Gorge swingbridge complex.

 

[irv]

If there is one activity TBH will not engage in, it is stepping onto swinging suspension bridge. I remember the episode at Capilano Bridge, but that is a separate story . So Irv junior and I set off to explore the grounds, with some pretty good views of the Buller River and gorge.

 

[irv]

We resume the journey with a stop at the scenic Kilkenny Lookout over looking the Buller River, the weather was beginning to deteriorate as we head further with rain in the distance. The road was also quite narrow as you drive around the gorge, wouldn't have enjoyed towing a caravan in one portion. As we get closer to our destination the weather had closed in, the wind was howling and the rain had begun in earnest. Welcome to the west coast.

 

[irv]

We woke up the next morning to a howling wind , temperatures in single digits and the occasional rain squall. Punakaiki is home to the Pancake Rocks and a blowhole, so despite the inclement conditions, this was our next place to explore. I must admit the wild weather was well suited to the vista.

 

[irv]

The blow hole, whilst not in full flight, let you know of its presence, was certainly a wild bit of coast line. There was a cafe across the road, we paid a visit to defrost with coffee and breakfast before our journey continued on to Franz Josef.

 

[irv]

He is a bit hard to spot, but if you look in shot 1 of the previous post you might spot old mate trying to take a shot of the blowhole erupting on his phone, and getting drenched each time. This is a bit of a closer shot.

 

[irv]

The weather was still quite inclement which restricted our outside activities. After about just over an hours drive we arrived at the town of Hokitika, there is apparently a scenic gorge there which is worth visiting, I would imagine on a fine day, but his was not one of those. Instead we chose to visit the National Kiwi Centre which deals with the art and culture of indigenous people, and also houses an aquarium. We spent a bit of time playing tourists and watching some rather large eels get fed.