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Castlepoint

When we met Sirocco the Kakapo

At least since we arrived in New Zealand and probably long before that Michael has wanted to meet a kakapo. I didn’t hold out much hop as there are only 125 left on the planet. A kakapo is a huge green and yellow flightless parrot and before the arrival of man they lived throughout New Zealand. Now all of the surviving birds live on Cod Fish Island, off the south coast of the South Island and are all part of an intensive breeding program to bring their numbers up.

Suva - Fiji

Fiji

Wellington to Fiji

A motorbike tour of Miramar and the surrounding areas

As we have just bought a GoPro I have tried a few experiments around Miramar and Wellington. It turns out that I make really cheesy films.

Worser Bay, Breaker Bay, Miramar Hights, The Weta Trolls, The Roxy, The Wellington Sign, Lyall Bay and Moa Point

Motorbike School

Kaikoura - Whales, Albatros and Dusky Dplphins

Our second attempt at Whale watching on this trip as the first one had been cancelled due to bad weather. We were up early to catch the second boat of the day, desperately willing the sea not to be rough. The first boat had found a sperm whale quiet far out to Sea and by the time we reached it had already been on the surface for 10 minutes, luckily we got there just in time to see him dive. One bucket list goal for me achieved and me very happy despite the sea sickness! We got to see him again 40 minutes later when he surfaced again and I was unprepared for what am emotional experience seeing this huge beautiful creature would be. We also got to see many sea birds and a pod of dusky dolphins

Lake Tekapo and Mount John Observatory

Heading to Lake Tekapo, we take a slight detour and ride up to Mount John Observatory. I am not sure if this was Michaels plan all along but he got me to agree by pointing out that there was a cafe at the top. The views were spectacular and we found ourselves booking onto a star gazing tour. It was amazing, I have never seen so many stars in the sky and the Milky Way was stunning. We learnt a lot too and got to look through some giant telescopes.

On the Bike - Camping at Ahuriri Bridge

On the Bike - Moeraki Boulders

On the Bike - Royal Albatros at the Otago Peninsula

A couple of nights in Dunedin and we visit the Royal Albatros Centre on the Otago Peninsula. We took the tour to the lookout where we got to see the chicks poking out from under their parents in the next. Just about visible in the pictures below

On the Bike - Knights Point Lookout and The Haast Pass

"Down the South West coast through more trees than there are numbers, with lovely views over the Tasman Sea ending, unfortunately, in the wretched hive of scum and villainy known as Haast Township - seriously, don't even stop for gas, and buy your groceries literally anywhere else, I'd never imagined there could be people on these islands as bloodthirsty and pernicious as the sand flies, the pirates - then on to a campground on the Pleasant Flag - which would have been absolutely pleasant, except for the aforementioned sand flies (I'm beginning to think that ready access to blood-seeking parasites is part of the design spec for camping grounds). Day Six up before the dawn (but not before the biters!) and on through the Haast Pass to try and beat the rain to Wanaka. Lovely place (and great veggie pies), but us both desperate for a bath and a good night's rest we book a hotel 300km on in Dunedin. On through Cromwell (hello, Big Fruit!) and Clyde (Dam!) and Roxbrough (sore-assed fruit stand peaches!) and then on to picturesque little Lawrence (the veg toastie at the Wild Walnut was delicious, especially with the gherkin relish) and on for another hour and a half to arrive, broken in Dunedin, where we promptly get lost circling the Octogon. Baths, laundry, and thoughts of setting up the tent to let it dry in front of the television, then out for delirious curry, and good night to more than 400 kilometers in a day!" (MM)

On the Bike - Fox Glacier

A walk up some steep moraine chasing the rapidly retreating Fox Glacier

On the Bike - Lake Matherson

Lake Matherson is famous for its reflective views of Aoraki/Mount Cook and Mount Tasman. We were blessed to visit on a really still day.

On the Bike - Arthurs Pass, Hokitika and Lake Mapourika

From Christchurch we head up to Springfield for the night. Bad planning and the fact that everywhere in the area seems to close on Monday and Tuesday means we have to back track 20ks for a hot meal. We also seem to be traveling in the busiest holiday period and there is quite a search to find a bed for the night, after two nights in the tent we are in need of a hot shower and comfy bed. With the assistance of the iSite in Christchurch we book a room at the YHA in Springfield. The room is really bad but the location of the room sets is up nicely for the ride the next day.

On the Bike - Wellington to Christchurch

Our South Island road trip starts with the first Interlslander of the day out of Wellington and across the Cook Strait on a grey valentines morning.

We joined the Zoo

Living in a New City means that you get to be tourists every weekend.

We decided to visit Wellington’s little Zoo and immediately fell in love with the animals there. Especially the cheeky chimpanzees! We signed up for an annual pass and can often be found at the chip enclosure at feeding time.