NZ - South Island, Picton to Kaikoura

Early Tuesday morning, January 18, we slipped out of Wellington on a foggy and flat sea.

After about 3 hours we were gliding through Marlborough Sound to the picturesque town of
Picton on the South Island. 

The weather forecast was for rain in the afternoon and the following day.  We hunkered down with our awning and tarps.  It rained all night, but we awoke to a gorgeous day!

With plenty of blue sky and sun on Wednesday, we explored downtown Picton and took a tramp on the Snout Track.

 On Thursday morning it was cold and cloudy again.  We headed south about half hour to the town of Blenheim which is the hub of the wine country in Marlborough.  We visited the Heritage Aviation Center in the morning and enjoyed an afternoon of wine tasting, picking up some bottles of regional wines.

 
We left Blenheim on Friday morning once again in the cold and drizzle and headed toward Kaikoura.  Our sailing friends Ken and Lori are in the Kaikoura and we have made arrangements to meet up with them today.  The coast between Blenheim and Kaikoura is similar Camp Pendleton area near Monterey.  One of the highlights along this drive were the seal nurseries in the rocky pools.

We will be in Kaikoura for a few days then head toward the west coast.

All is well with the 2 Sail R's.

NZ - Wanganui to Wellington

Stained Glass at Te Papa Museum in Wellington

We have traveled down the west coast of the north island from the picturesque river town of Wanganui.

After riding the tram down to the beach, we hiked along the beach opposite Kapiti Reserve Island in Queen Elizabeth Park.

 Our first dinner in Wellington was with the Touhy family.  Friday night pizza is a family tradition.  Friday was a beautiful day in Wellington. 

Russ, Simon's parents Pat and Robin, Simon, sister Emma, brother Oliver, fiance Andrea, and Jessie

 Saturday through Monday have been cool and the wind has been blowing hard enough to take the hair of our heads.

 Wellington is a lovely city, and we are enjoying the in home hospitality of Jessie and Simon Touhy, and their big orange cat Ben.

While in Wellington, we have visited the museums,

Interesting Holographic move presentation

shopped downtown, ridden the cable car, 

driven to the mountain tops for lovely views,

and enjoyed an evening with new friends and  night hike to see the glow worms. 

Jessie, Robyn, George, Russ and Roz

 We leave tomorrow for the South Island.  Farewell Wellington until we return in March.

NZ -Forgotten World Highway & Mt. Taranaki

We've really enjoyed the beautiful countryside between Tongariro National Park and Egmont National Park on the North Island of New Zealand.  We

• traveled along the Forgotten World Highway,

Sheep happy to be forgotten

Old tunnels through mountains

nFirst glimpse of Mt. Taranaki above the clouds

2nd Highest Falls in New Zealand

• hiked to Damper Falls, 

• hiked the environs of Mt. Taranaki, 

Hiking Trails and Avalanche Zones

From Taranaki to Tasman Sea

Beautiful Wildflowers

Swinging Bridges over deep gorges

Wilke Pools - Icy water

• visited the pioneer heritage village in Stratford

Wonderful heritage village preserving NZ pioneer history

Old School House

Only known bathtub made from Kauri Tree

As of today, January 11 (NZ time), we are on the Tasman Sea in a campground in Opunake.

All is well with the 2 Sail R's