Off from the teapot headed to the Franz Josef glacier first. With the low clouds we were not sure what we would see as we walked in through a thick rain forest. Thankfully we were blessed with a clear view across to the glacier and up to blue sky. In a drizzle we retreated back to the car and clouds closed in on the glacier. Fox glacier is next and we chose to drive to a viewing location which was nice. The glacier ice shone blue in the sun. It is amazing how quickly they are melting

I imagine she’s listening to a recording of a glacier river tumbling byI thought it was steam but it’s dustHe said keep moooving…Matts not home

Back on the road and heading south the tops of the Southern Alps are in and out of the clouds. We stopped to see waterfalls and rivers. The rivers are turquoise blue and are pretty to see against the mountains and sky. Sorry about all the pictures that might look the same but I just keep going wow that’s nice.

I remembered that a famous news anchor man purchased a large piece of property close by where we were going so I took a turn down by Hunter Valley Station and I do believe I saw Matt driving into the road with two other gentleman and a black range rover. Within a few minutes we were at our VRBO for the night. By far this one was the nicest from western standards as it was a full-sized two bedroom apartment with large sliders and a full kitchen. The owner is a hunting guide and brings groups in from the US.

The wind is picking up and the weather is changing…Tut-tut looks like rain..O bother.

This west coast area is legendary for prospecting for gold. Just a bit south, in Ross, a nugget they named Roddy was found and it was as large as a big mans hand. Having gone to the Yukon Cornelius school of prospecting I certainly have what it takes to pan for gold so of course I get my trusted partner to (reluctantly) come along. Gold I say again…she isn’t impressed.

notice the technique….after the bite nothing but a dentist is needed

It’s a cool little stream tucked off the main road and I back the car in away from watchful eyes. After a 200 foot tramp we are there, alone and ready. Lottery ticket folks say that you can’t win if you don’t play and as I sift through the sand I remember that I haven’t won the lottery either. It was fun to play.

I love the last line…Don’t be an Idiot…sooo politically incorrect

I won by visiting Pancake Rocks as this place is a natural attraction in a state of change. We wonder when the powerful sea will win out and cause these archways to collapse. What we saw was a section of hill that had collapsed onto the highway and closed the opposite lane. There are lots of areas that like that since most of the roads are built at the base, on the side of or through hills and mountains.

We drive down the coast heading toward the teapot cottage and on the way we stopped at an old gold mining town called Ross. There we saw the remnants of what was very large mining operation. There is even hope that someday mining might return but in the meantime it’s becoming a ghost town. I found no gold there as well.The above taken out one bedroom window and below taken from the other

The teapot cottage is a destination onto itself. The pathways leading to the door are lined with metal teapots. The main feature in the living room is a old stereo and a stack of records. It was a night of listening to Beach Boys, Beatles and old Australian folk songs. Quirky but quaint. Have to make sure I can “tie me kangaroo down” mate. It was a nice place to spend a night alongside route six in Harihari.

These two taken from out front of the cottage …we’ll be heading west in the AM

It is nice to stay at a place that supplies breakfast and WiFi…the day starts slowly. Today we start our day in Kaikoura and ended in Greymouth. With stops at Castle Hill and the famous Arthur’s Pass it promises to be (and was) interesting.

There are places that you could spend more time and as we were being shown through the gardens I felt that way.. https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2018/11/video-shows-dramatic-landscape-changes-following-k-ikoura-earthquake.html

I’ve never been in the area that had so recently been affected by an earthquake but this video is pretty amazing. When I asked the owner of the rental about the white rocks that were prominent off the coast by the highway he said that they were not there prior to the earthquake and had been lifted 15 feet to be exposed. He said that he, his renter from Canada and a lot of the town headed up the hills in the middle of the night fearing s tsunami.

Now it’s off to the point to get a panoramic view of the ocean that faces Chile and a beautiful panorama of mountains that come right down to the water. Soon we are headed through more wine areas as we approach Route 73 that will guide us across the north part of the southern alps.

I give to the town of Springfield to promote the Simpsons movie

Castle hill is almost halfway across the range taking us to the West Coast. It’s a group of rocks shaped over time and deposited it on hillside. It’s fun to walk around and it’s amazing when you get up close and see how big they are. We make one more stop at Devils Punch bowl waterfall. This is nice exercise in between the driving.The road through Arthur’s past is also very nice…see pics.

We end the day on the side of the hill with a distant view of the ocean and the singing/screaming cicada bugs. After dinner I let Sheri win at cribbage… I’m getting good at that! Sheri heads off to read in the room and I sit by a nice fire with a pile of driftwood to keep it going.

Our intentions are always to leave early but today we don’t want to arrive at the wine tasting too early so just after 10 we concluded our conversation with our host. As a school principal she was off to meet with an architect. We enjoyed our stay.The replanting of a hillside

Heading east the rolling hills gradually become a valley between two mountain ranges. Passing lots of large hop fields then vineyards start to appear. A sea of vines as far as the eye can see on both sides of the road. Marlborough grapes for dozens of wine makers. We are after two brands that we can buy in the states and we weren’t interested in paying for a tasting.This machine goes between the rows trimming the tops and sides

The first,Wairau River, had a great tasting and a nice facility to visit. At the next, Allen Scott, we visit with two Australian couples at the tasting and have lunch.

After we finish lunch we head for Kaikoura and drive along the Kaikoura Coast Highway. There’s a lot of work being done on the highway and it was nice to slow down and appreciate the views. Just a couple of years ago they had a major earthquake here that shut down the highway is leading to Kaikoura. At our VRBO they pointed out the neighbors who were still not able to occupy their homes because of damage.Just below the surface is sand and it doesn’t take much for erosion to occur The roses were beautiful

Just minutes from our place we stop for fish and chips on the recommendation of our Australian winetasting friends. We arrive to our place at about 6 have dinner and settle in. The owner was trying out his Maine accent so after dinner I went to visit them. I showed them my Maine and taught them how to say wicked good and ayuh!

After a bit of shuffling around with brochures and watching the weather we decide to go forward with a boating and hiking day trip to Able Tasman.

Lunches, water and bug spray ready we make the 35 minute drive to cruise from Kaiteriteri to Torrent Bay for a tidal landing on the beach. Passing by kayakers, and split apple rock on the way. We needed to change to a smaller boat for the wet exit at the start.

We walked 4.5 miles along the coastal track through dense forest and across the Falls River Swing Bridge to Medlands Beach at Bark Bay. The views through shades of lush greens to turquoise waters and white sand beaches were outstanding. The California quail and Weka birds were often close enough to touch. Good exercise and a boat trip-win win. Sheri’s Achilles tendon that was a concern has been a little sore at times but holding up very well.there are two legs…really zoom to the hill top & you’ll see our place

From a beach front pub we snacked, replenished fluids and looked across Cooks Strait at rain showers in the mountains of the North Island. Returning home a different way we passed a great river and a view of the recently cleared back lot. The owner revealed later that he qualified for a gov’t tree planting grant (aimed at planting 1 billion trees) that will fund replanting 2000 trees.

I also shared a conversation with a neighbor who was in the merchant marine and has seen governments around the world allow their fleets to be reflagged to foreign ports. This has cost thousands of jobs and stripped England, the US and others of their fleets. I never knew that. He is watching the new trade and national policies in the US and says they’re necessary.

After a visit from the chickens…fun… we looked out the window at the peaks in the largest national park, Kahurangi, as the last light of a good day fades. Tomorrow we wine…

Eat up, pack up, load up, line up…as the amazing race continues we cue up in the long line for this huge ferry. A precision Tetris game with cars and trucks all loaded locked in and ready to go on time we head out of Wellington across Cook Strait to Picton. The high winds cause the upper deck to close but we are headed into it so the ride is going well. They cancel for 8 meter waves…so we’re safe.

We leave the cruise ship confines as we enter Marlborough Sounds. Winding through islands the bays open up and mountains truly come to the sea. A smooth 180 and we are back in the car waiting our unraveling. Out and off to Nelson and green muscles.

The road twisted and wines but not as much is the North Island and soon we are in Havalock for cream bathed green muscles and a Speight’s beer called Pride of the south. Next up the road to Perilous bridge and swimming hole…plus bakery. All good by the crystal clear waters. We see a lot of the same people from the ferry at theses popular spots. After shopping and working on our Abel Tasman trip tomorrow we head on into the country side.

Side roads turn into side roads and turn into long driveways that rise up to a ridge that holds the small cottage we will stay at for the next two nights. We are greeted introduced to the place and as we settle in a cold bottle of local wine is delivered. I love these details and it helps with the sleep! We watch the sun set or the mountain range that feels the picture window on the side of our room.

Now if the weather holds we’ll hike tomorrow.

Our stay to the city is just over an hour so we find our way to our apartment at St Paul’s and then head up to Mount Victoria for a good look around the waterfront and the city.The unique building is the executive offices for parliament and the prime minister 150th anniversary of the gardens

From this perspective we see both airport and ferry traffic. We watched a pod of dolphins as well. After lunch back to the apartment to unpack, have dinner and plan our evening. I’m off to get gas, locate overnight parking and drive the route to the car ferry for the next morning.

Sheri has figured the single washer/dryer unit and as it runs on and on we eat, plan our stops at the Botanical Gardens and a concert at the adjoining park. Thankfully it’s Saturday so parking and traffic are lighter.

The rose gardens are beautiful, the huge park is very nice and by 6pm a lot of folks have already taken prime spots for the concert. We press on through the varied botanical gardens, past playgrounds and planetariums to the cable trolley. We enjoy these public spaces in our travels.

Soon we are sitting hillside for some eclectic music and then back home. Thankfully one very small parking spot was remaining in the garage near us due to a cricket match also nearby. Back at our apartment we can plan and sleep on thoughts of our crossing to the South Island.

At 8260 feet Mt Taranaki is the Second highest peak in the North Island and according to experts is a ticking time bomb so up we go, quick picture…

The drive today, about six hours will be highlighted by a New Plymouth footbridge, a great lighthouse, areas that have not changed much since they were settled and a view over Whanganui from Durie Hill Elevator and War Memorial Tower. Aloo advertising is important whether or not you area stud of have big buns.

The lighthouse built in London in the mid-1800s and shipped in segments first shone in 1881, can be seen 22 miles out and stands near a beautiful beach. Great spot to have lunch and walk about.

On to the Whanganui towers and elevator. Since we drove to the top we skipped the 8pp ride and enjoyed the windy view.

We finished the day At our batch near the beach in Peka Peka. The place was not as nice as the others and though the owners were nearby or next door they did not check in which was a first.

The stud (dating?)sign as well as those buns are not common sights and I a pleasant distraction.

While I walked along the expansive beach Sheri spoke to a man who had just launched his wife onto the beach on their horse. They are animal trainers and have provided services for Disney, Taylor Swift and the producer Jackson. It was an interesting end to a good day.

Since I shared our encounter with another driver upon arrival in NZ I thought I would bring you up-to-date and let you know how the driving is going. Very well thank you. Staying on the left is not that much of a problem but running the windshield wipers when I want to run the blinker and vice a versa is still an ongoing concern… I have a very clean windshield!

Now on we go… Saying goodbye to Gus we head back to Taupo and make a stop at McDonald’s for an authentic New Zealand experience… A DC three set up at the restaurant for dining…unique and cool. Tongariro National Park home to Mt Doom will have to remain a mystery as we drove up into the fog. We learned that the north island is due for an eruption so we were happy to be safely on to New Plymouth. Little did we know that the path we choose to get there was Rt 43; The Forgotten Highway.

unique rock layers upon National park

As one of NZ’s top worst roads it came by that title deservingly. Driving this loose gravel, unsealed, road was a challenge and a treat. It loops and twists as cones mark areas where the sides are collapsing into gorges and though it’s too narrow in most areas it’s beautiful throughout. At one spot I whipped the car around and watched a new fold jumping and running around it’s mom. Stopping at a rare bathroom we learn that this little 12 building town, Whangamomona, has posted signs proclaiming its succession from the country and becoming a republic. I didn’t even mention the hand carved, single lane 721 foot tunnel with wood ceiling timbers…google and see!

Once you clear the hills you see the volcanic and partially snow covered peak of Mt Taranaki. This bump out on the North Island is all due to this volcano. We are welcomed to a very nice New Plymouth unit by Marion who has been in town for a long time and heartily endorsed the Festival of Lights.

Staying at these VRBO’s allows us to prepare dinner and relax. Meal planning and cooking have been mine so after salad, pan seared chicken and rice we are ready for the festival. What a great community event in a fantastic park.

Gus hands out bowl sized cups of coffee and we settle into a morning of slow preparation and are allowing his caffeine and WiFi to start our morning. This is the first morning that breakfast is supplied. Cereal good… Vegemite bad. Gus must have seen us greenhorns do this before cause he was quick to report that with 3 dogs nothing goes to waste. Switch to Nutella 👍🏻

Off to Rotorua’s (Roto vegas per Gus cause of it’s edgy post daylight rep) Kuirau Park to experience the many ways the earth can release its heat. Steaming, bubbling, smelly water and mud. We soaked our legs and then held our breath as we are amazed at the thermal theater. I think Vegemite was produced there.

Off to the Redwood Forest which was planted with dozens of other trees early in the 1900’s in order to determine which species would be the best choice for the forest industry to use. In has ended up being a type of conifer that can be harvested and replanted easily. We’ve seen dozens of hills stripped clean and others in various stages of replanting. Great forest management. The redwoods though are large (22 ft around) and tall. There I spoke to another RedSox cap wearer who was a true fan. He worked in a camp in Maine and has friends in Massachusetts. Since we were brothers of the Nation I was comfortable asking him to describe the NZ Silver Fern and later I was able to find one.✔️

From the redwood forest to the flowing waters this land… off to the power dam water release and it doesn’t disappoint. Next off to the Huka Falls and it is also very cool. Lake Taupo last of the water treats and it’s easy to see why it’s such a popular playground.

“The pie” is a NZ must have so the deli Lady took joy in personally guiding me to the best pies they sold. Sheri and I feasted on steak and cheese pies. ✔️ Another NZ experience. Gus’s wife Sherie joins us in great conversations as we head to bed they enjoy dinner. Earlier we were treated to a song by their great dog trio with Sherie receiving an honorable mention.

The NZ Silver Fern