The top two pictures here are coming down from Mt Cook. We posted a picture in the beginning of the blog above the photo at the concert of this lake and Mt Cook in the background. The coloring this day happened to show the richness of glacier water which is this incredible creamy blue that looks unrealistic. A little further down the road we stopped in Lake Tekapo. This church sits right on the shore of the Lake, The Church of the Good Shepard.

Going to and from Milford Sound you must pass through the tunnel you see above. We were staying in Te Anu which is a good hour drive to The Sounds. However, on our way back we had a few visitors on the other side of the tunnel. A very cheeky bird, this mountain parrot a Kea is quite capable of doing damage to your car by pecking all the rubber from around the windows and pulling off windshield wipers. As you can see roof racks too. They were quite amusing as was the server in the restaurant we ate at that night.

So we were on our way out to the ocean and along comes this amazing family of dolphins. We followed them for a good 25-30 minutes. It was great having them directly below us swimming with the boat and we could actually hear them communicating with one another. This maybe one of the most incredible places in New Zealand. The landscape was breathtaking and the wildlife made it just a bit more astounding.

Some how throughout the time Phil and Debbi were visiting it only rained the first day or two when Debbi arrived and the night as the two of them were flying home. No complaints, it was perfect for everything we decided to do. When we made it here to Milford Sound it rains 8000mm about 315 inches and around 200 plus days a year. We manged not only to have a clear beautiful day but we also lucked out and saw a large family of bottle nosed dolphins...

We stayed in Franz Josef Glacier for a couple of nights. It felt very European with the atmosphere as far as all the hostels and the range of people coming and going as well as ALL the activities. We went out one night and became good friends with the bartender who we ended up swapping an Oregon Dechutes beer with. Having them in the car became quite handy. In Wanaka we went into their brewery and traded a beer for a sampler of the variety they had. Anyway, as you can see in the middle picture here, there is a warning sign which indicates there is an ice cave which could fall at any given moment. Take a close look and notice, it's already gone. You could hear cracking as well as see in melting quick. We've got to reach the top before it's too late!

On our way back to the South Island we stopped in Lake Taupo again, had a little car trouble but managed to work it out. We went back to Wellington for a night and came across an amazing display of original photos near our hotel and right on the water front. Here is a link if you're interested at all in Photography. His books are also fabulous. http://www.yannarthusbertrand.com/yann2/affichage.php?reference=TVDC%20116&pais=France
We then caught the ferry again the next morning. Debbi was smart and took some dramamine. She ended up asleep with no motion sickness. I decided to join Andy and Phil at the front of the boat to see the 8 to 10 foot waves, which made me green and yes, give up my breakfast in a small white bag. After that, I managed to get some dramamine and make myself comfortable. We then made it down to Pancake Rocks or Punakaiki. The rocks are layers of water sculpted limestone, as you can see resemble stacks of pancakes. There are also geysers which add some action from the Tazman Sea through the blowholes in the rocks.

Right near the beach house there is great kayaking! We drove north to Cathedral Cove which is beautiful. We managed to see a little Blue Penguin swimming along to shore and a few other birds on the Islands. Thanks to Debbi and Phil we have all these pictures here too!

The next few days after Taupo we drove closer to Auckland finally making it there. Andy and I got our fix at a Mexican restaurant, surprisingly good. It was Andy's 25th Bday and we went out for some drinks which was fun, the Bartender was a miniature Jared. We then saw a Movie, we'd recommend you see The Fastest Indian, it's a Kiwi film starring Anthony Hopkins. We then picked up Phil around 4 in the morning and drove about an hour and a half to our friend Campbell and Catherine's beach house. Which is the picture above here. The house is as well designed on the inside as the outside. Their Mom is an Interior Decorator and she's got a lot of personality and flare. The house sits only 75 yards or so from the beach. It's in the Coramandel which is on the East Coast of the North Island, very warm and beautiful. Driving through the country side reminded me a lot of Costa Rica, Jared you'll have to come check it out. Good surfing too!

This isn't the boat we were on but it gives an idea how large these carving are. We were asked to guess how old they are and while everyone guessed 100 years plus, Andy says 20 years old. We come to find out that in the late 70's two men from Taupo came back to give something to their community. They carved this immaculate image in the perfect location which is only accessible by boat. There are a few close ups to see how intricate each piece really is. Next time we go back we have to skydive, it's suppose to be the best place in all of New Zealand as far as beauty and fun. Anyone game?

After Wellington we headed to Lake Taupo which is an incredibly large lake. It was a volcano and its eruption was 1000 times the size of Mt. St. Helens. The lake is gorgeous and there are Black Swans everywhere. On the bottom picture here, it's hard to see but there is a boat that we took to see some amazing carvings.

We made it to the ferry, which was huge and full of cars, a movie theater, cafe's, a deck on top and around the boat, different types of seating, lounges, airline decliners, couches, it's pretty incredible. Then we came into Wellington, the shot here doesn't justify the city. It's a lot like Portland but much smaller with even more of a Cosmopolitan flare. The people have a Savvy style but still maintain the friendly kiwi appeal. We ate dinner at this wonderful Thai Restaurant....which is suppose to venture onto Christchurch! Cross your fingers!

After Stewart Island the 3 of us were headed to Auckland to meet up with Phil. It's a big haul, but we made it fun. Here's a shot of what it's like to drive 'downunder'....lots of fun. Also we stopped just north of Kaikoura, which is just 2 hours north from us in Christchurch to see these fur seals. They're only native in NZ and they were so much fun to watch. Especially the playful pups swimming around in their pool. We have to go back to Kaikoura so we can swim with the dolphins!

The bottom picture here is a Kiwi, if you can make it out. We went on a night tour and spotted him on the beach. They're quite big....the one above is a Weka. They're quite friendly and slightly resemble the kiwi. The top is the friendly Robin. One actually pecked Andy's foot on a tramp. This guy was on Ulva Island right off of Stewart Island. We saw all sorts of birds like Parakeets and even an Elephant Seal that was visitng from Antarctica.

So my mom showed up in March and Andy and I took her to Stewart Island. It's a small Island on the south tip of the South Island. It's one of the last places to see a kiwi bird in the wild and has an inhabitant of 384 people and a 6 hole golf course. The people were so warm and welcoming!

This is Lake Wanaka, which is our favorite place yet. The town is quaint, but full of character. The top picture here is a Vineyard that goes directly down onto the lake shore. As you can tell the scenary is beautiful and we love the South Island!