South Island to the North island

We stayed the night on Lake Tekapo one night overlooking Mount Cook.  We watched the sun set over the mountain whilst enjoying a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and a couple of beers on a Friday night which was absolute bliss.

Mount Cook 

From there we headed down to Dunedin and watched some yellow eyed penguins heading home for the evening.  After spending about an hour peering out on to the beach, looking for any sign of movement and watching small specks advancing up the beach thinking is that really a penguin we realised there were lots hidden in the bank about 20metres away from us!  It wasn't until one hungry baby started squawking that we saw them.

Hungry penguin babies- you can just about see their yellow stripes on their eyes.

An essential pit stop!

Moeraki boulders on the east coast - He looks really at home, just add the remote!

Beautiful little campsite, amazing view.

After that we drove around the south coast stopping off at little towns along the way, making out way over to Te Anau and Milford Sound.  At Milford Sound we went on a boat cruise out on the sound which was amazing, the scenery is just spectacular.  Every new corner has another view which is like a postcard.  Unfortunately, we missed some of it as the brakes on our campervan weren't the best, (understatement of the year!) overheated and set on fire as we came down the mountain!  We let them cool off then set off again- there is one way in and out so we had no choice.    

The furthest point we have been to away from home!  The most southerly point of the South Island.

We went to Queenstown from there where Tim did his bunjy jump.  It was 134m high and he absolutely loved it.  I went out in the little jump station which was frightening enough as it is suspended over the cannon.  In true Tim style, he was as cool as a cucumber whilst everyone one else was getting panicky, he wanted to go again as soon as he got back up!  We had a great night out in Queenstown too, it is a really cool little town.  

Milford Sound

Boat cruise on Milford Sound

Milford Sound, just beautiful.  

Mirror lake, on the way out of Milford Sound.  

We went up to Franz Joseph Glacier next which was again spectacular.  The ice is thousands of years old and continually changes shape as it expands and contracts, it is massive too.  

Having the bunjy rope fitted - slight moment of worry, will it hold a 13 plusser?!

From there we made our way up to Picton to catch the ferry to the North Island.  We were halfway there, in Arthur's Pass when the earthquake hit, about 100kms away from Christchurch but luckily we didn't feel anything.  The devastation cause by the earthquake is awful, the whole country is in shock about it and the death toll is still rising.  We have heard some terrible stories about it and it makes you feel very lucky to be alive.  

Another day, another view! 

Spectacular drive up the east coast, we visited the pancake rocks and blowholes too which were brilliant.  

The van mark 2.  Cosy, some may say cramped.  The water tank leaked so the carpet was wet and the brakes were more than a little dodgy- Tim's driving says the man in the garage.  He received a torrent of abuse in reply and deserved it I thought.      

On Friday we caught the ferry over to the North Island and made our way up to Napier where we are currently staying with Ross and Mitch who we met in Laos and again in Cambodia.  We have just been shown around Napier which is a pretty town on the coast. 

Happy Timmy defrosting his lamb chops- the engine is under that seat so heats it right up!

With Ross and Mitch in Napier.  Travelling buddies!