New Zealand... part 1

Wow... I'm behind.

Oh well. First, a thanx to everyone in Australia who helped us, hosted us, or was kind to us. We really enjoyed the country, felt that the people were very friendly, and really enjoyed our time.

Quick recap since last post...

- Spent a few days in Launceston with our amazing WWOOF hosts, swimming, playing tennis, hiking, going to steam fests...
- Then took the ferry back to Melbourne and stayed with Kevin and Robin.
- Flew to Christchurch on Mar 13th.
- Purchased a diesel, 8 passenger van on Mar 14th... the sellers loaned us their trailer for the first portion for free!
- Kim and Julie headed up the West Coast... the 6 of us (Kevin, Laura, Bakersfield, Jenny, Tim, and I went up the East Coast).
- All 8 of us piled in the van in Nelson, and started hiking/kayaking in Abel Tasman NP.
- We drove down the West Coast eventually ending up in Christchurch, and our visitors left, sanity ensued...
- Called Win's ma... had an amazing meal and got to meet his family...
- We've since started heading south on the East Coast, and are in Dunedin currently.

Kimbo sad to leave Aussie...


Glory!


At Coker's before Julie and Kimbo took off













Winery near Blenheim













This is our "Shevanagon"













Look! Ko's Donuts! Go Ko.













On the way up to Abel Tasman... near some sheep... that's given

At Abel Tasman, we took the boat taxi to the northern portion of the trek... less crowded, etc... they like


Split Apple Rock


Yeah Tim!


There are some glow worms we took a look at... and Kevin turned into a ghost


After our night of rain... the poncho/tarps worked well.



On day 3 we got our Kayaks...


Along with da BEER!


Lot's of fun terrain on the Abel Tasman, including low tide crossings.


Some nice sunsets.


Magic Mushrooms?


Julie's favorite...


Jumping for joy...




Tim and Jenny pouring their own at the Monteith's Brewery Tour


Loving the hair!


Nelson Market... was quite amazing. Definitely the best market we've been to on the trip.


Ice Cream!


Sunset!


Julie... it may be night time in US, but it's not noon yet in NZ...


We made some friends at the Backpackers in Nelson.








... and off to Pancake Rocks.




Treehuggers


Smitty...


At the Monteith's brewery tour.


Pretty cool tour... our third brewery tour of the trip, and our first was the best (Cascade), but we appreciated the fact that they allowed us to really see and touch everything. My highlight... and dream future toilet addition.


Meat Pie! On Mash, and Peas... oh my...


Early morning hike at Arthur's Pass


Kea's at Arthur's pass


Testing our our van for sleeping potential now that our "visitors" are gone.