Brief statement in the local paper here that made me laugh! "After announcing last week the good work by Lakeside Service Centre in installing a light below Te Anau's takahe statue, we've learned that some lowlife has stolen the solar panel powering it." Some lowlife, hahaha, love the way they express themselves here. :-D

Today, I crossed the 45th parallel putting me halfway between the equator and the South Pole.  I spent today in the Fiordland National Park, the mountainous, rugged and largely uninhabitable southwest part of New Zealand.  This is the side of NZ  that gets the most rainfall.   We started out in the rain forest at the base of the mountains.  As we walked through the forest, I am aware of sights and sounds everywhere.  I hear the rushing waters from the waterfalls feeding the streams and small rivers.   It was grey and overcast with a light rain falling.  I could hear the raindrops hitting the trees and  I watched the water drip off the leaves.  Everything is lush, green and thick.  I can smell the clean scent of the forest as I inhale deeply.  It was  amazing walking through this rich, aromatic forest.

We traveled on to Milford Sound, one of the fiords in this area.  We boarded a boat and headed out through the fiord to the Tasman Sea.  The mountains rise sharply out of the water, through the fog and clouds.  Sometimes we can see the tops of the mountains, sometimes the top is buried  in the clouds.  The area is full of raging waterfalls, cascading down the mountains into the sea.  There were heavy rains last night so the waterfalls are full and flowing.  I've never seen so many waterfalls, ever.  Our guide tells us that just as the mountains rise up, so do they go down, allowing our boat to come so close to the sides of the mountains that you can almost reach out and touch them.  We cruise under a waterfall and glasses placed out on the bow of the ship fill with fresh rainwater from the waterfalls.  It is delicious, the best water I have ever tasted.  Straight from heaven, filtered through moss as it  cascades down the side of the mountain.

We traveled out to the Tasman Sea, turn around and head back into harbor.  I am in awe of this pristine scenery, untouched by humans, kept just as God and nature designed it.  This area of NZ is  accessible only by boat, plane or hiking.  There are no roads, no stores, no conveniences of modern living here, only me and the most beautiful area I've ever seen.  

I've been from one end of New  Zealand to the other now, from the beaches to the mountains and I have loved every inch of New Zealand.  Her beauty is stunning and breath-taking and her people are kind and gentle.   What a remarkable country she is!

Good morning from Te Anau!!

Spent the day in Queenstown, cruised Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw, oldest working steamship. Queenstown is the extreme sports capital of NZ where you can bungy jump, sky drive, parasail, jet boat, whitewater rafting and whatever your heart desires.....if you have the money!! Me? Saving my $$ for the Great Barrier Reef!

I have spent the last 3 days slicing through the center of the South Island and have seen the most incredible scenery. I've crossed the NZ mountains on some of the most daunting and challenging roads I've ever driven. If you've ever done The Tail of the Dragon in Tennessee, these roads are the next level up! These roads follow the jagged edges of each mountain, climbing, twisting, curving, one hair pin curve after another only to come down the other side and repeat it all over again. Littered along the ride are spectacular glacier lakes that take your breath away. My ears have popped over and over. Hitting valleys in between I've had brilliant sunshine on my right, grey ominous clouds hugging the mountains on my left. Here is a sampling of some on the scenery, hard to describe.

 View looking out of the right side of car

 View looking to the left of the car - same point.

 Glacier Lake

Hostel living: it's been awesome. Some are better than others (Wellington was nasty, ugh, but the only choice in town due to the stinking World Cup Cricket games, grateful for what I could get!). Last night was a first, had a bed in a co-ed dorm, my roommates were a girl from Melbourne and two guys from Switzerland, very cool. I've met so many people from all over the world and I love that. They are travelers like me and are a wealth of information, guidance, and tidbits of advice. I am spending more $$ on food than housing. Hostels run about $20/night on average, meals run $10-15 each. Coffee is $3/cup, water $3/bottle. So, hit the grocery store yesterday, got muesli, bread, lunch meat,fruit, waters, few snacks and making my own meals at fraction of the cost. My temporary "new way of life" is so interesting and inspiring, learning so much.

Another awesome day! Started out hiking the Fox Glacier. I had some second thoughts about tackling this, caught myself talking about all the reasons NOT to. I bitch-slapped myself and headed to the glacier. It was another "pushing the edges of the envelope" event for me and glad I did. At one point, my heart rate had to be pushing 185 bpm as I climbed and climbed, but I didn't vapor lock so all good. Checked another box

For whatever reason, I ended up in Christchurch yesterday on the anniversary of the horrific earthquake that hit the city 4 years ago. I walked over to the Botanical Gardens where a memorial service was held. It was beautiful. There was recognition for the 1st responders and residents of the city involved in the rescue efforts. The names of each person killed were read off, names from Australia, China, Japan, Philippines, Canada, Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey and the USA. I had no idea there were so many victims from all those countries. The thing that impacted me the most were the comments not only about the physical recovery of the city but the recovery efforts of the emotional healing of the people. They spoke of the pain of losing loved ones, of trying to put their lives back together, of healing and being able to move forward. It was a very touching and memorable ceremony; I feel very privileged and honored to have been included.

February 23, 2015

Rode the Trans Alpine train today from Christchurch to Greymouth on the West Coast of NZ, awesome ride through the NZ "Alps." The scenery was quite different from what I've been seeing, very rugged. The weather was overcast so pics did not turn out too good but I enjoyed the ride even so. I picked up a car in Greymouth and headed south. My views went from the Tasman Sea to mountains and forests, wild life preserves and I saw some amazing things but couldn't take pics as I was driving, on the wrong side of the road no less, hahaha! I did have the opportunity to pull over to the side of the road and take this picture, which blew me away. I think this might have to be the best picture of this trip so far. This is Lake Ianthe. Stunning.

Time for more reflecting on the past few weeks.  I've posted some pictures, just a sampling of the tons of pictures that I've taken.   I'm trying very hard to keep my posts on FaceBook short and sweet and to write about my observances on the blog.  To that end, I will try to recap the things I have seen and experienced this past week.

I  am in love with the New Zealand 'way of life' and their attitudes in general.  They are some of the kindest and gentlest people I've met.  They are friendly, laid back, easy going and difficult to agitate.  It's not that I would dare to irritate them but as I have observed  them in stressful, busy or hectic  times (checking  into hostels, trains, restaurants) they just seem to take everything in stride and  with ease.  Nothing  ruffles their  feathers.  I love the way they tell me "no worries"  or  "there you go, love", makes me smile  each and every time I hear it.  Every New Zealander I have run into has been kind, caring and more than pleasant.   Each encounter with them leaves me feeling good and a smile  on my face.   Love  it and I have a wonderful case in point.

Yesterday I rode the Coastal Pacific Train from Picton to Christchurch.  As a approached my assigned seat, I saw that I would be  sitting beside a very well dressed, white haired lady who appeared to be about 70 or so.  As I sat down in my seat, we began to speak and I realized she is a very 'refined' lady with a very formal English dialect. She immediately reminded me of a classic English woman but she was  a New Zealander, from Christchurch returning from visiting her sister in Picton.  She introduced herself  as  Margaret, not  Maggie, but  Margaret, of course.  As you all know, I do not speak a very refined English language so I am trying very carefully to speak properly to this nice lady and it's a hell of a struggle but I'm managing.  During this 5 hour train ride, we became very good friends.  We talk about my travels so far and where I am headed and she enlightens me with great information and tips about the places I am headed to.  During the train ride, she alerts me to upcoming areas worthy of some great pictures  so I was able to get some fantastic photots during the ride.  I learn she is a retired  special ed teacher and we talk about that as well.  She is a wealth of information about the earthquake that hit Christchurch, its devastating effect on  the residents of Christchurch and the town's effort to rebuild.   I  listen to her talk about trying to find  her adult children (they were all fine), the cell phones that no longer worked and the fear in everyone's mind during each and every after-shock, not knowing if it would be another massive earthquake or just a  small tremmor.  My five hours with her were amazing.  As we neared Christchurch, she asked me where I was staying and I told her about the hostel.  I asked her if there would be taxis at the train station and she assured me there would be.  We continued to converse and as we pulled into the station, she offered to take me to my hostel.  She was being met by her husband and she said she would "check with him" but she felt he would not mind.  I was floored  by her generosity and kindness.  As we disembarked, she walked over to an older gentleman and kissed him gently on the cheek.  They conversed and she walked back to me and told me he would "be delighted" to drive me to my hostel.  My friends, you just don't  run into this kind of hospitality back home.  They gave me a quick tour of the highlights of Christchurch and dropped me off at the hostel.  I gave her a big hug and  walked away with  such warm feelings.  I love the  people of New Zealand!

February 20, 2015

Rode the ferry from Wellington to the village of Picton this morning. I love these ferries!! Catching a bite to eat at local pub then hopping the Coastal Pacific train for a 5 hour ride down the Pacific Coast of the South Island to Christchurch for a few days roaming there. The scenery will be stunning!! As fate would have it, tomorrow is the 4th anniversary of the horrific earthquake that hit Christchurch. I swear I did not plan it this way.— at Toot and Whistle 

Amazing ride on the Coastal Pacific train!! These are a few pics from the ride. Look closely and see the seals basking in the sun on the rocks. Keep in mind these are taken from a train running right along the beach, so cool! Best train ride EVER!

February 19. 2015
Heading to Wellington, ferry ride in the morning to the South Island. My scenery is changing...still gorgeous! And Anti Bella is navigating :-)

February 18, 2015

Last post but I couldn't resist! I actually passed this sign, turned around and drove back to make sure I saw this right. I couldn't stop laughing, how many 98 year olds do you think will be attending this 80th Reunion of the Broadlands School? Hahahaha, they must live forever here!!

Left Rotorua, driving though the rolling hills headed to Taupo, enjoying this gorgeous day and I come upon the Waikite Thermal Springs and Spa, turn right, Pat, turn right! Spent a few hours relaxing in the thermal mineral pools. Unlimited time for $18 NZ dollars which is $13.58 USD. I love this place!