Blenheim to Picton

We spent our last night in Blenheim. Blenheim is in wine country so we went out wine tasting and buying. You can even rent bicycles equipped with saddle bags perfect for wine bottles. For us the car was adequate.

We also picked cherries to take home. Dennis found a baby bird inside the netted cherry orchard. The baby bird was allowed to stay inside.

For our last night of holiday we stayed in a cabin so we'd have a comfy bed and wouldn't have much packing to do in the morning.

Finally on 3 January 2011 we drove to Picton to board the ferry back to Wellington. Tom already posted a photo of he and Dennis sailing mini boats in the pond.

Hanmer Springs for New Year's

On Friday 31 December we checked into the Top 10 in Hanmer Springs. Once we got the tent up and settled, we headed for the "Spa." We bought a two day pass. The place caters to all ages. Dennis went on the water slides. Tom and I went into the different hot mineral pools. It was relaxing and good for the skin.

New Year's eve was pretty quiet around the campground. Campers stayed up late to toast the new year and then went to bed. I got up to use the toilet at 2:00 a.m. and the place was totally quiet.

Dennis met kids and had fun playing and running around the holiday park.

Hanmer Springs or Kaikoura Next?

It was a good thing we stopped for petrol and talked about where we were heading. Tom found out that Hanmer Springs would be totally booked because the road was closed at Lewis Pass due to flooding. I got on the phone and indeed found the holiday parks booked. We changed course for Kaikoura.

Kaikoura was pretty booked as well. We wanted to be indoors for the rainy night. After trying four places, we found room at the Dusky Lodge Backpackers. Dennis enjoyed the swimming pool and playing pool with Tom. I appreciated a stove to cook on and being inside.

We spent two more nights in Kaikoura at the Top 10. The proprietors were checking for tent space every day. We were pretty well packed in there.

Kaikoura is known for whale watching. We were too cheap to spend the money for a boat ride, and of course there are no guarantees that you'll see whales.

We went for a picnic one day. Another day we visited an animal farm and a lavender farm. Dennis was thrilled when he caught a chicken. We learned the difference between an alpaca and a llama (one is bigger than the other). They spit when they're mad.

Our tent was pitched by the swimming pool so we cooled off in it a few times.

Amberly Beach

We set out in the rain. First stop was Lake Tekapo for a quick look at the village and some coffees. We continued driving on Highway 72, the far outskirts of Christchurch. For many kilometres we saw farmland dotted with small villages.

I had my camping guide book out figuring out where we would stay. We ended up at a basic campground at Amberly Beach. The amenities were water, toilets and a playground. Our camping neighbors were really helpful. One neighbor brought Tom some coffee in the morning. Dennis made friends with some kids who were at their bach (beach house) adjacent to the park.

On Tuesday morning (28 December) it rained. We were kindly offered refuge with Peter and Sandra and their kids. Dennis played, we chatted. Peter made giant pancakes for lunch. Finally the rain let up and we continued packing up our tent.

Mount Cook

On 26 December, Boxing Day we headed north to Mount Cook. Along with many tourists we went into the visitor center, read about mountaineering, viewed Mount Cook, and got the weather forecast. We were thinking about staying at a DOC campsite but heavy rain and wind were fore casted. We ended up staying at the Glentanner Holiday Park. This park had many guests yet wasn't crowded since the park was so large. We found a sheltered spot and pitched the smaller tent we had brought. If wind was going to be an issue, we thought we'd break our own tent rather than the one we borrowed.

We had barbecue for dinner and ate looking at the mountain. Later Tom spotted some fellow campers seated at a picnic table sipping port. He joined them for a while.

The wind and rain did come. On Monday, 27 December we were taking down our tent in the rain. It's all part of the camping experience!

Kiwi ingenuity at its best ...

http://www.showusyourlongdrop.co.nz/

Queenstown for Christmas

On Christmas eve we headed for Queenstown. I booked a townhouse for us to stay in for 2 nights until Boxing Day. Turner Heights Townhouses had a view of the lake and the mountains. They also had a community spa pool.

We found the New World in town and I bought the fixings for Christmas dinner. We had a premade stuffed chicken roast, potatoes, veggies and a ready to heat pudding. We set up a tiny fake tree with little LED lights. For decorations we added some individually wrapped lollies (candies).

On Christmas day the gondola and luge were open, so we went. We got the family deal for the luge, so Dennis got more trips than the grown ups. The views were stunning, although I didn't like going close to the railing. We did get a few photos.

Cromwell and Central Otago

On Thursday, 23 December we drove from Dunedin to Cromwell. It was hot there in central Otago which is normal summer weather. Once again we stayed at a Top 10 Holiday Park.

Rocky!

One thing I love about Kiwi's is their sense of humor. Here is an example

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Home-living/Outdoor-garden-conservatory/Landscaping-materials/Stones-rocks/auction-357989041.htm#qna

Please click on the link and read it. First just clicking for there are kudo's for the number of views of the Auction. The listing itself, and the comments are quite humorous. And go ahead and bid on it as it does go for a good cause. Christchurch Earthquake Aid.