Sunday, July 15, 2012
Punakaiki "Pancake Rocks" New Zealand
I was dying to see these. They did not disappoint. Really cool looking things. Unfortunately, the tide was not high enough for us to enjoy the blow holes. Next time!
Monday, July 9, 2012
Nelson Lakes, New Zealand
This country really is like a undiscovered mine! There are amazing things everywhere and it's seems like you are the only people exploring it. We saw a total of 6 people on this hike and four of them were at the boat dock.
We took another boat taxi across the lake to a really nice hike. After all the steep grades of the Abel Tasman I think we were all ready for a more mellow hike...and this was it. It had such a gradual climb you hardly even noticed. And, we saw our one and only mammal on it. We still don't know if was a deer or a wild goat.
Joe was in extremely fine form and took us on several "safaris" while Katie navigated the swinging bridges. This country really does have crazy cool swinging bridges.
This lake has some giant eels that make my skin crawl just thinking about them. There were some boys feeding them possum meat at the boat dock and I couldn't believe how big they were. Really nasty looking creatures! Sadly I didn't get any pictures of them, just video footage. Oh, and did I mention the sand flies. Because those are awful critters too. Ten times worse than a mosquito. They attack through your clothes and the bites itch for days to weeks. I have a spot on my ankle that still haunts me!!
We took another boat taxi across the lake to a really nice hike. After all the steep grades of the Abel Tasman I think we were all ready for a more mellow hike...and this was it. It had such a gradual climb you hardly even noticed. And, we saw our one and only mammal on it. We still don't know if was a deer or a wild goat.
Joe was in extremely fine form and took us on several "safaris" while Katie navigated the swinging bridges. This country really does have crazy cool swinging bridges.
This lake has some giant eels that make my skin crawl just thinking about them. There were some boys feeding them possum meat at the boat dock and I couldn't believe how big they were. Really nasty looking creatures! Sadly I didn't get any pictures of them, just video footage. Oh, and did I mention the sand flies. Because those are awful critters too. Ten times worse than a mosquito. They attack through your clothes and the bites itch for days to weeks. I have a spot on my ankle that still haunts me!!
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Abel Tasman, New Zealand
LOVED! LOVED! LOVED!
Abel Tasman was probably one of my most favorite places in New Zealand. It was beautiful! A few of the beaches in the reserve looked just like gold. The pictures can't even do it justice. It really was breathtaking.
I think this was the first time I was actually hot in New Zealand. It felt wonderful! This hike was so great because you followed the ocean almost the entire way. We hiked through lush rain forest, super dry areas, along the beach while the tide was out and across some awesome swing bridges! This day was really just fabulous. I kept thinking how lucky I was to be in such a beautiful place with my sweet little family!
We took a boat taxi out to see the famous "Split Apple Rock" and then on to a more remote part of the trail. This first pic is where we were dropped off and started the hike back along the ocean. It was perfect for the kids. The kids loved seeing the baby seals on the rocks and swimming in the water. Joey hiked almost all 24 km. I was amazed! By the end, they were totally worn out and so were we! Katie even fell asleep on the water taxi ride back!
Abel Tasman was probably one of my most favorite places in New Zealand. It was beautiful! A few of the beaches in the reserve looked just like gold. The pictures can't even do it justice. It really was breathtaking.
I think this was the first time I was actually hot in New Zealand. It felt wonderful! This hike was so great because you followed the ocean almost the entire way. We hiked through lush rain forest, super dry areas, along the beach while the tide was out and across some awesome swing bridges! This day was really just fabulous. I kept thinking how lucky I was to be in such a beautiful place with my sweet little family!
We took a boat taxi out to see the famous "Split Apple Rock" and then on to a more remote part of the trail. This first pic is where we were dropped off and started the hike back along the ocean. It was perfect for the kids. The kids loved seeing the baby seals on the rocks and swimming in the water. Joey hiked almost all 24 km. I was amazed! By the end, they were totally worn out and so were we! Katie even fell asleep on the water taxi ride back!
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