Abel Tasman National Park

Spend the day sailing in Abel Tasman National Park. We started at Kaiteriteri, which is one of the most popular golden beaches in the South Island and then sailed to split apple rock (a result of graphite rock), and stopped for lunch at anchorage where I did a little hiking. It was a perfect sunny day for sailing and  incredibly relaxing! I spent most of the time laying at the front of the boat and managing to catch some zzz's here and there. On our way back we saw some seals playing in the water and just enjoyed the scenery as the sun was beginning to set. When we returned, I visited a wood carving gallery, which was truly incredible. Before calling it a night, we sat around the camp fire for a bit at our accommodation (Old McDonald's Farm). I definitely want to come back to do some camping in Abel Tasman.

To see more pictures: Abel Tasman National Park

Split Apple Rock

Sailing! 

Woke up on a farm

One of the Carvings

Picton

Started off the morning in Kaikoura at the Orahu lookout to see a fur seal colony before journeying on to Picton, where I spent hours hiking in the Victoria Domain. I spent some time in the Waitera Bay Reserve where I took a short break for lunch before hopping on a different trail. I got a little lost along the way, but fortunately I finally made it to the Snout Track. This track took me to the Queens lookout and then finally to the snout lookout. The view from there was breathtaking, but unfortunately I couldn't stay too long because I still had a long hike back and the sun was beginning to set. On my way back my hostel (The Villa) I got a great view of the Picton harbor at night.

To see more pictures from Picton: Picton

Queen's Lookout

Snout Lookout

Picton at night

Kaikoura: Whales and Dolphins, Mountains and Ocean

I was picked up by the Stray bus around 9 this morning in Christchurch at the Antarctic Center. The drive to Kaikoura was a few hours but absolutely gorgeous with the Southern Alps in the distance and eventually some rolling plains. Upon arrival in Kaikoura, I checked into my hostel (Adelphi Lodge) and then got on a boat to do some whale watching! We saw a pod of hundreds of Dusky Dolphins and only one Sperm Whale. I had never seen a whale before in nature, and it's something I've always dreamed of doing so it was definitely a magical moment for me. (I really wanted to get in the water with it!!!) It was only at the surface for a few short moments, but I was able to get the money shot of the whale diving down. Kaikoura is a unique in being one of the most productive areas in the world in terms of marine life, which is why it is a prime site for whale watching and dolphin encounters. The reason for this is the Kaikoura Canyon which lies just over 1 kilometer off shore and plunges almost immediately to depths of 1000 meters. This allows the sperm whale, which is there year long, to feed deep below the surface and then surface, which fortunately for us is not too far from the coast! The waters were getting quite rough so we were forced to turn back a bit early. When I got back I went for a long, relaxing walk along the Kaikoura coast and watched the sunset behind the mountains!

To see more pictures from Kaikoura: Kaikoura Photos

Christchurch (The Garden City)

My flight arrived in Christchurch at 7:30 this morning. I definitely didn't sleep at all last night since I was at the All Blacks Rugby match yesterday. I almost left for the airport with black paint still on my face! Airport security for domestic flights is very relaxed. I was never even asked for my ID! When I arrived in Christchurch, I didn't really have a plan for the day nor did I know where I was going, but I grabbed a map and hopped on a bus to get to the city center and hoped I could find my way from there.  A tricky thing about Christchurch is that many of the streets at the heart of the city don't go through due to a tragic earthquake that struck the city in February of last year. Walking though the streets was actually quite eerie because many of the buildings are still in shambles. It felt like I was on a movie set. After checking into my hostel (The Old Country House), I took a bus to Lyttelton and took the Diamond Harbor Ferry to go on a nice hike. When I returned to Christchurch, I walked to the Christchurch Botanic Garden, which was gorgeous! After a long day, I relaxed in the spa and called it an early night in preparation for my Stray bus pickup in the morning to begin my 2 week South Island Adventure!

To see more pictures: Photo Album from Christchurch

All Blacks!!!

Saying that rugby is huge in NZ is an understatement! The All Blacks win against Australia was a great start to the mid-semester break! My favorite part was when the All Blacks did the Haka. Unreal!

Coromandel

Hot Water Beach. Cathedral Cove. Hiking the Pinnacles. Two Amazing weekends with great friends!

Be sure to check out photos from Coromandel! Some of my favorites yet: Coromandel

Hot Water Beach 

Cathedral Cove

Top of the Pinnacles!