So many roads to ease my soul

Kaikoura



Where to start?

We've gone over hill and dale, through mountain ranges to the sea and a thousand amazing things in between. With Conor's parents we toured the South Island from Nelson to Milford Sound, and with Tricie's friend Jenni we toured it all the way back.
We went paragliding, swam with dolphins and drank the finest wines that New Zealand has to offer straight from the cellar door. What follows are but snippets of our roaming and wonderment.

The gloaming at Kaiteriteri

Swimming amongst hundreds of Dusky dolphins, blue sky, towering snow-capped mountains in the background. There is only one place in the world like this. Kaikoura.

Kayaking in the Abel Tasman

We were not properly outfitted to make it Kale Farms Winery outside of Queenstown

So we settled for the dapper modernism of the Peregrine vineyard down the road.

I think he's looking for the clutch. A weka suprise.

With Magdi our companion for the conquering of Goat Pass.

World's most beautifully situated vineyard? Kaikoura.

They say that the road to Milford Sound is one of the most beautiful drives in the world.
They are correct.

Milford at dawn

One of Milford's glorious falls

A curious seal pup at Wharariki Beach on the northern tip of the South Island

Pat and Adrian braving the cliff faces of Mt. Cook on the way to the Hooker glacier

Mirror Lake in Fiordland

By chance, we encountered this rare native falcon, the Karearea, in the woods of Fiordland

Our evening arrival at Milford Sound presented this magical scene.

Early morning on the Milford Mariner was cold but clearing steadily. The waters were calm out to the Tasman Sea and the night's rain produced ample water in the many beautiful falls through the fjord.

Dolphins arrive alongside the boat to play in our wake. A mother/child pair cavorted to starboard and another couple to port.

Mitre Peak hides behind the remaining morning mist.

Whew!

So that should pretty much make you want to declare New Zealand citizenship.

Till next time...