NZ Highlights 2 South Island

Nelson Place that reminds me of Nova Scotia the most My highlights include: National over 40 women’s marching band parade, running into Ashley once again, Wine tour, hiking on Abel Tasman National Park, water taxi around AB, lively Nelson nightlife, meeting and hanging out with Americans Johnny and Kim.

Franz Josef Place with a rainforest behind my hostel Climbing on the Franz Josef glacier with Tom from some small town in England. Tripping on the glacier behind the guide’s back, needing to pee really bad on top of the glacier, running into Ashley once again on the actual glacier.

Lake Wanaka Place where I could vacation for a few days if I lived close by Having two wonderful older women in our cabin for roomies, hitching back and forth to Mt. Roy, climbing Mt.Roy which was pure hell from the start, taking four hours to climb all 1500+ Mt.Roy which is completely uncovered, watching tri-athletes run up this winding mountain in 1.5 hours, reaching the top and witnessing the wonderful panaramic view, catching a ride back to town with a sheep farmer, drinking wine with bunkmates.

Queenstown Place where I just didn’t see what the fuss was all about Renting a car in Queenstown with Ashley, hiking up to the gondola, realizing the gondola wasn’t worth going down it, hiking down from the gondola, getting my hair cut, deciding not to do a bungee jump, leaving Queenstown.

Milford Sound Place where everyone flocks to on the South Island Drive from QT to Milford Sound, unexpectedly driving through a mountain, staying in a power generated hostel where the electricity went off at 11 pm at night, having a boring night on St. Pats Day at the one bar in Milford, taking a diving boat around the Sound, many waterfalls rarely seen, beautiful Milford Sound, hiking on the Routeburn and smaller tracks.

Te Anau Place where we only stayed for a night. Playing pool at some bar, sleeping in our self-contained unit.

Dunedin Place where I decided to go at the last minute All those damn hills, six hour ride on the Taieri Gorge Railway to Middlemarch, meeting Sylvia on the Elm Wildlife tour, seeing yellow-eyed penquins, albatross, sea lions and NZ fur seals, staying in the haunted former Victorian mental hospital.

Christchurch Place where everyone said I had to go Hiking to the gondola and down again, climbing to the top of the tower of the Christchurch Cathedral, Cathedral Square, Botanic gardens, Canterbury museum, Art gallery.

Kaikoura Place where I had a cold Leaving my purse and camera on the intercity bus, doing lots of walking, seeing some more seal lions at the Seal colony, going to The Family Stone with Sylvia who I ran into on the harbour front.