We had been told that the ferry journey is beautiful as you pass through the fjord to Picton Harbour. However, we mainly had fog and mist. Not the beautiful clear weather we had when looking over to the South Island a few days ago.
Everyone had said how different the islands were and we were keen to explore the differences. We booked a day trip to Arthur’s Pass from Christchurch to see more of the mountainous top of the island.
Along the way we went to Castle Hill named for the large limestone borders there. This is an area of spiritual significance for the Moari. It is also popular as a film location. I decided that one of the stones looks like a nun praying. The area is also significant for very rare wild flowers due to the peculiar nature of the soil here.
We were told there’d been snow at the pass in the morning. However we got sun and a clear view
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We were introduced to the Kea a native parrot which lives in this area. We were warned not to have any open bags and to keep hold of everything. The are very intelligent, apparently equivalent to a four year old. They will work out locks and catches and can be a real nuisance if encouraged. Hence signs not to feed them for their protection as much as anything.
We also did a walk up to a local waterfall. The driver got very protective over my advanced age and found me a stick and assured me they’d wait. As it was I wasn’t the last back and we had to do a bit of a search for some of the others. I liked the stick though, I got told it was like Gandolfs.
From Christchurch we went to Dunedin to meet up with my cousin Lizzy, something I was really looking forward to. We talk regularly on the computer but hadn’t seen each other in person for many years.
We went into the centre for a drink with Lizzie”s work mates and found it much like any town after the last working day before Christmas. Lots of drinking and I think we counted 3 police cars that parked near us. Not for me I hasten to add.
We did a quick trip to Wanaka before Christmas to see a bit more of the Island staying near Lake Wanaka.
We then drove along the Lake Hawea and Lake Wanaka to see Blue Pools. Beautiful blue water joining the riverr. It was sunny and warm enough for a few people to sunbathe on the shingles in the middle of the river.
We were amongst the hills and mountains and beautifull views everywhere.
we stopped at Arrow Town on the way back . In August 1862 Jack Tewe found gold here and a town of 800 miners quickly spread up. The area had only a dozen policemen to manage the thousands of miners in the district and lawlessness was an issue in the town until a police camp and warden’s office were constructed and the town became more orderly. The original buildings were of a temporary nature and made from calico but as the gold and town population remained stable more permanent structures were erected.
We had a walk around the partially restored Arrowtown Chinese Settlement. This settlement was one of at least ten Chinese settlements that was established near gold mining towns in 19th century Otago.
It is a mixture of stabilised hut ruins, reconstructions and restorations and stayed settled until 1928. The most prominent building is what is now known as Ah Lum’s Store which was built circa 1883. While it was built by market gardener Wong Hop Lee, its name is attributed to Ah Lum, who bought the building circa 1909 and turned it into a busy store, bank/office and home.
Back in Dunedin we went to see the steepest street in the world, and we certainly didn’t attempt in our campervan. Then we went for a drive out along the coast of Dunedin.
It was wonderful to have a Christmas dinner with Lizzie’s family and she certainly did us proud for the meal! We even had a white Christmas, which was rather unexpected in summer, is more than the UK had. We had a hail storm perfectly on time.
We had a few days to explore around Dunedin with Lizzie so we had a trip to the wildlife park at Orokonui Ecosanctuary. This is carefully protected from preditors to allow the native birds there to flourish. We didn’t see any Kiwis as it was daytime, however plenty of Takahe enjoying themselves.
We had a restful walk around the park and watched the bird at the water stations.
Then onwards to Te Anu where Ashley and I spent New Year. I also go to meet a giant Takahe..
We used Te Anau as a base to travel to .Milford Sound and to a cruise out on the Sound. Going through the passes we were at snow level. As we got dropped off for the boat the coach driver casually mentioned the sand flies. Which appear to be the scourge of the western coast. Luckily we has long sleeves on, however in the short period queueing for the boat we both got a couple of bites.
The scenery was magnificent and well worth the journey.
I must say there us something for having new year in the summer. It was pleasant sitting outside listening to music and then wandering along to the lake shore to watch the fireworks reflected in the water.
There are no drones allowed in the area because of the sea planes and helicopters flying in and out. The only way to get to some places.
We ended up at the bottom of the islands at Bluff. The opposite to where we started, and we found the sign post this time!
We also found a chain referring to the Moari mythology a out how the island was pulled out of the sea.
From Bluff we caught the ferry to Stewart Island just south. If we’d had time it would have been good to have stayed over and gone looking for Kiwis. However, we made do with the bus tour. Only a small part of the island is accessible by road. We saw plenty of people decked out in gaiters setting off for treks around parts of the island. However a quick read of a blog was enough to put me off. The path a depression in the undergrowth, tree roots and mud hidden underneath, bugs that bite etc.
The population is small enough here that everyone knows each other and .most are related to each other. Costs are very high as everything has to be transported from the mainland.
Here we saw the other side of the chain. Coloured to indicate rust.
Sadly it was now time to return north to Christchurch ready to fly onwards to our next stop Tahiti.
We stopped overnight to see Lizzie again and say goodbye 🥲
We stopped at the point halfway between the equator and the south pole.
And then said goodbye to New Zealand still looking very Christmasy.
