Kea Parrots

Bus ride back to TeAnau was socked with fog until we exited on other side of mile-long tunnel. Stopped to photo one of the world's few alpine parrots, the Kea. Seen only on South Island & mainly in the mountains. Mostly rowdy youngsters. Quite entertaining and not afraid of humans. Beautiful feathers. Long sharp beaks.

These two (younger parrot has yellow surrounding eyes and nose holes) are vying for a fight.

 

 

 

 

Getting to Milford Sound

Wed, March 13

Over the mountains on the curviest roads to date. Swished all our inner ears sloshy! Spectacular river of clouds engulfed the Queenstown valley as we curled our way down the mountains other side.

The roads curls down on the right.

Opted for a Real Journeys bus ride from TeAnau to Milford sound so James could enjoy scenery & not have to drive anymore. Guide/driver, Steve, a true Kiwi, had done done many things in his life so entertained and educated us along the way. Frequent photo op stops or short 15-min walks to see something special. The Kiwi's love their country and love sharing it with visitors.

Leaving TeAnau for the Milford Sound

 

A short hike to see Mirror Lakes

 

Nothing hazardous to one's health by drinking this glacier fed stream water. Delicious!

James & Jane ready to board

 

Sweet accommodations

Not much room for dessert after the layout of choices for dinner.

 

Wanaka, NZ 3.12.13

Full on B&B breakfast courtesy of our host, Helen. Fresh tomatoes with eggs and bacon, yummy yogarts, fresh peaches, homegrown rhubarb, local peaches, and homemade muesli (she's had so many requests for the recipe that it's now on her website - www.dlavande.co.nz)

Helen's been ever so helpful rearranging our fiord travel plans, telling us the best restaurants within walking distance, suggesting "tramps" for us to walk. She and hubby bought a mobile trailer and spent an entire year traveling around NZ so they ARE the NZ info center.

First we hung our wash out on the line in the lovely backyard with: a view, a vegetable garden, fruit trees, lots of lavender and aromatic roses galore.

Then we went for a tramp along the Clutha River.

The Clutha River begins where the Wanaka Lake drains. Clear glacier-blue-water rivers are few in the world. This river exists because the lake filters out the glacial silt, so the river is a stunning aqua blue and crystal clear.

James near river's beginning

Our days here have been rain free. All of NZ is in an extreme drought. Great for tourists. Not so for farmers. As dog days of summer give way to fall, the afternoon sky stands out as much as the surrounding landscape.

Perfect spot to check email.

All's well back home so let's go have the best scones we've ever tasted.

 

 

Franz Josef to Wanaka

Monday, March 11

Early departure out of town past Fox glacier continuing south for a long and curvy yet rewarding drive through the vast valleys and never-ending wilderness of the South Westland World Heritage Park.

Over Haast Pass. Fabulous swamp walk thru ancient, lush native forest with New Zealand's largest and oldest Dinasour trees - more than 800 years old.

Silver eye bird with beautiful voice

 

A quick hike to Roaring Billy waterfall across an expansive nearly dry river bed.

See James in left corner?

Dropping down into the valley with stunning views of first Hawea Lake, then Wanaka Lake. Both are snowfield-runoff freshwater lakes and part of the enormous World Heritage Park. The entire park is natural and undeveloped. Ten percent of New Zealand is in land preservation!

 

Hawea Lake

 

Franz Josef Glacier

Downtown Franz Josef

Franz Josef and Fox glaciers are two of only three temperate-zone glaciers at sea level in the world. Gold miners of the last century settled this area first.

Today's hike took us to the terminus of Franz Josef. First time seeing a glacier for James.

Glacial runoff is a silty gray

The Southern Alps that house these glaciers are a young 2 million years old.

One unique characterist of this west coast region are its one-way bridges that are often shared with the railroad.

 

South Island

March 8 - Turned out to be an exciting drive to Aukland on back roads through miles & miles of farmland with enormous herds of dairy cows.

The car's low gas indicator blinked "red". Sweat circles increased under James' arms and his life-years lessened with each gas-guzzling mile of open land and no sign of gas on the undulating horizon.

The one and only station on our chosen path appeared not a moment too soon. We vow to never depart a NZ town without a full tank of petro from here.

March 9 - South Island

The South Island has 33% more land than the North Island and 75% fewer people.

We're gonna like it here!

 

If you come to ChristChurch (South Island - East Coast) and plan to eventually go to the West Coast, by all means book the 3-hr Kiwi Rail train across the mountains and through numerous tunnels to Greymouth. Fabulous.

Complete with complimentary audio along the entire journey.

A nifty side trip on way south along the coast is to small coastal village of Okarito (no stores or shops). there's a dandy 1.5 hr hike across a tidal march boardwalk then up into a native forest with a high overlook in both directions.

 

Whakarewarewa - Redwood Forest

On to a wonderful redwood grove in Whakarewarewa Forest only 5mins from the center of Rotorua and an easy drive from our secluded cottage in the country. The now 100ft tall redwoods were planted in 1901 to determine if redwoods or pine were the best tree to grow on this island. The pines won and that's what is being logged and replanted everywhere. Fortunately, these stately redwoods are forever protected in this forest.

 

 

 

Back at Blossom's Cottage we enjoy what Jane refers to as "a Judi meal" - plate full of fresh veggies. Yum!