Christchurch, NZ

Nancy Lee Carlson Feb 28, 2023 2 Comments

All packed up the night before, we started our day early with breakfast at 7:45 at the B&B. We have had so many wonderful conversations around the breakfast table. Raylene dropped us off the airport depot in town at 8:45. A ride up to the airfield with 8 of our closest friends and into the puddle jumper. The man sitting next to the pilot before the pilot came on board joked about it being his first time flying the plane. Even though he was a New Zealander he had a NY Yankees cap on. I told him if he was a Yankee fan he could do anything! Everyone chuckled at that. It was a nice flight and the sunshine glistened on the water like diamonds.

Once in Invercargill we found out fog had delayed the flight coming in so we got some hot drinks and passed the time texting, reading and talking about possibly buying electric bikes when we get home. Around 1:30 we took off and an hour later landed in Christchurch. We ubered to Hotel Give with a very friendly driver telling us how he came to be living here. Everyone has a story if you just stop to listen. After we checked in and settled into our room we headed out across the street to the Christchurch Botanical Garden and it did not disappoint. Tired from our plane rides and walking the garden we headed back to the restaurant in the hotel called Duo. Delicious food. We’re now calling it an early night, that was a really good day!

Our last full day in Stewart Island and we rented Electric Bikes or as we say Electric YIKES!

Nancy Lee Carlson Feb 27, 2023 3 Comments

What an adventure today was, as you can probably tell by the title! The couple before us getting bikes rode off into the sunset with no problems. He was a mountain biker – enough said. We got our helmets first, studied a map with the sales person and learned how to turn on the electric and what level to pick and how to downshift and upshift. Are you getting all this because obviously Bill and I missed some of it! Let’s just say we had a very steep learning curve! That brings me to the hills which were also very steep but we won the battle and victory was ours. We visited Moturau Gardens, stopped at overlook to Butterfield Beach then headed to Bragg Bay were Bill decided it was time to get his feet in the water. Brrrr! Then back down to the town of Oban for lunch where I had a well deserved ice coffee and sandwich while Bill opted for a long coffee and scone. Having payed for 4 hours and not to be defeated we hopped back on and headed up Elgin Terrace. It’s the gravel roads not the paved ones that unnerved us. Made me think of my childhood and skinned knees! Four hours in we returned the bikes and after all that pedaling we needed to walk up our hill to the B&B which we did, very slowly. Lots of water and feet up or at least reading on the porch to relax until dinner time. Then back down the hill to the hotel for dinner, back up the hill for packing and maybe another try at Kiwi spotting tonight!

Birds

Nancy Lee Carlson Feb 26, 2023 1 Comments

Walking all over town

Nancy Lee Carlson Feb 26, 2023 1 Comments

It’s Sunday here. Another delicious breakfast and lots of talking with Raylene and another guest. After which we relaxed and read on the deck until 11. Hiking shoes back on, we headed to the Fushia Walk which was just another way to get to town off the main road. We are handling steps like pros now – not that we have a choice! We walked around the Visitors Center and then the Rakiura Museum. There was something for both of us. The first sewing machine here, a harmonium that sounds like a pipe organ, some crocheting and cross stitching, whale and seal hunting, an original switchboard among other things. Afterwards we stopped at a coffee shop for scones and drinks. Then a walk to the bay and just enjoying the scenery. There isn’t a person that passes you by that doesn’t say hello! But, we still haven’t seen a penguin or a kiwi!

Raroa walk to Watercress

Nancy Lee Carlson Feb 25, 2023 1 Comments

After breakfast this beautiful Saturday morning I asked Rae if we could do a load of wash. It is the first time in years I have hung my clothes outside to have them “solar and wind” dried!

We donned our hiking gear again and headed out on another walk. This time it was so different than anything we have seen! A beautiful preserve! It took a little over an hour and we ended up at Watercress Bay! We are getting better with getting up the hills and making sure we are well hydrated.

View of Golden and Watercress Bays

Nancy Lee Carlson Feb 24, 2023 4 Comments

Ulva Island

Nancy Lee Carlson Feb 23, 2023 1 Comments

After breakfast we put on our layers and hiking boots then headed down the road to the dock to get on the Ulva Island Ferry. 10 minutes later we were on the island. Lots of trails, steps and amazing plants, trees and animals and birds! So glad we borrowed hiking poles. We saw two sea lions – one on the beach and one in the brush which we did not pass because it was lunging at hikers and can outrun us at 40k an hour! What a incredible island!

Glendaruel Bed and Breakfast

Nancy Lee Carlson Feb 23, 2023 1 Comments

Surrounded by gardens (vegetable and flowers) this house is comfortable and welcoming. A true gem! Rae is amazing!

Stewart Island

Nancy Lee Carlson Feb 23, 2023 1 Comments

First day in New Zealand

Nancy Lee Carlson Feb 22, 2023 1 Comments

After getting into Gertrude’s room at the hotel (ours wasn’t ready yet) Bill and I both took hot showers and changed out of our travel clothes. Why does it feel like you are so dirty when all you do is sit in a plane? We met Gertrude downstairs for lunch figuring it would be good to get on the New Zealand schedule. Our room was ready so we headed up and took a nice long nap. We watched a cricket match on tv and before we knew it was 6:30 and time to Uber to a delicious dinner at Manaus Seafood Boil. We came back and got some NZ money from the ATM for our adventure for the next couple days.