Wellington trip Pt I
Sitting in Hotel, Emily is asleep, Joshua is with other school kids enjoying Te-Papa Museum (google it)
Not much to do with Emily quietly sleeping away other than blow $10 for 2 hours (20MB) hotel internet connection.
Day 1
Drove from Mt Cook to Lake Ohau where we are building our house (still)
Here we met up with some family friends that are holidaying in NZ from Edmonton AB Canada.
I think they enjoyed the Lake Ohau surroundings, almost like being at home as it very similar to South Western Alberta.
Day 2
The big trip north begins, after a leisurely breakfast
We head north to Geraldine via Lakes Pukaki and Tekapo both Glacer lales (as is Ohau)
Geraldine is a little town 1/2 to Christchurch from Lake Ohau.
A every good spot to have lunch and stretch the legs.
After lunch back in the car, say goodbye to Canadians as we head off in different directions.
Cross the Rangitata River, then head over the Rakaia river at the gorge, then over the Waimakariri river also at the gorge.
All this is on State highway 72 one of the nicest drivesa round it by passes all the towns and is a good way to see the country, via some very nice scenery.
We end up at Swannanoa just on dark, enough time quickly take the kids to the school play ground.
Next morning up early as me and Emily need to hit the road to be in Picton at 1pm to catch the Ferry at 2pm
Race away at 8:15 am, a quick detour at Leithfield to pick up the newly acquired chain saw, what a beast of a machine.
Will get this looked at on the way home.
After Amberley State highway 1 heads out of the plains and into rolling hills, spring has sprung the paddocks are nice and green, Lambs are still tiny and new born.
Very nice rolling hill country with in view of the snowy peaks behind.
Once we get to the Conway river which is in a deep gorge the scenery changes to the more rugged.
The roads winds for many kilometers up and down hills, then drops to the Ocean (Pacific)
From here on in till way after Kaiakoura the scenery is as good as it gets anywhere in the world.
I even think its way better than the ‘Big Sur’ in CA
Snow capped Mountains on the right dropping straight into the sea on the left.
Cliffs, big breaking sea, rocks, with Sealions etc.
The Miantrunk railway also hugs the coast right beside the road and sea.
A few cool wee tunnels on the way as well.
Kaiakoura is the home of NZ Whale Watching, it’s come a long way, and is a booming towm now.
Lots of things happening, if you like seafood that is fresh head on to Kaiakoura, and try their famous lobsters.
From here once we head inland a bit the vineyards start, they begin the the Awatere river valley at ward and then start again just over the Wither Hills again on the Wairau river plains.
Marlborough is the largest area of grapes in NZ and famous for it’s Sauvignon Blanc.
Many many vineyards to choose from, and places to eat.
Just over the hill at the northern end of the Wairau plains is Picton where the interisland ferries depart from.
We got here at 12:15pm and spent sometime getting ready for the big boat trip.
2pm the Ferry set sail, was a nice and calm day (thankfully) very nice to go cruising
Got to Wellington at 5:30pm, found our hotel and set off to find McDonald’s as promised to make it a carrot to see Emily to Wellington
Got back to the Hotel at 7pm and the kids were packed in bed while the grown ups had a few beverages.
The end of a very long day.
Day 3
Up early, B’fast in the hotel, 9am school trip briefing and off to the Wellington Museum, all about the history of the Wellington Area, quite interesting and quiet a cool we holographic movie/display.
Then followed by lunch at the foreshore and playground with the high rises right in front.
Then the kids headed off to Te-Papa the National Museum of NZ.
