Despite my plans to travel the South Island later, I have spent last weekend there. And it was fantastic!
The framework:
- 5 people, all of them au pairs, 2 of them boys
- a rental station wagon, no USB or AUX connection
- a holiday home (called ‘bach’ in New Zealand) right at the Mahakipawa Arm of the Mahau Sound
- friday night to monday night as the Queen’s birthday is a holiday here
The ferry is a popular connection between both islands. A little swaying, but we were blessed with calm waters…
There are many of these ‘batches’ in New Zealand. Out little cottage was utterly cosy and well equipped.
The view upon the Mahau Sound. The entire northern side of the South Island is riddled with those.
On Sunday we went on an adventurous road trip west coast bound, in order to see the famous Pancake Rocks. Adventurous because of 5 grown up people inside one car.
Sailboat near Nelson
Some rest stops have nicer views, some less nice ones…
The tranquil appearance of the west coast turn sour with all the sandflies (fruit fly like mosquitos, varying in size). But some prices you are willing to pay…
After a long time with many guessing games and black stories (a card game, originally), we finally arrived at the destination: Punakaiki.
The Pancake Rocks are a stunning sight you might not want to miss.
One fateful morning I, as with many things for the first time, tried to make some scrambled eggs. 4 eggs by 5 persons is not quite much, should anyone look for this answer.
The water behind the cottage did look a lot more interesting up close. Also, it is another feeling, afloat like that.
On our last day we visited the Pelorus River. Once again awesome to behold, once again natural wilderness.
I would like to point out that some scenes for the Hobbit movies were filmed at this very location. (Just imagine 13 dwarves in the river inside barrels…)
This fantail was pretty photogenic, but as all the birds of that feather as quick as can be. Please marvel at only a few of many hundred pictures.
I’d make a movie right here, too. 🙂
The grand prize question: What is this?
The even grander prize question: WHAT IS THIS??
The travel fellowship. (Thank you for the pic, Henry.)
Looking back at the South Island, I can confirm it differs quite much from the North Island. While green round hills dominate the landscape of the North Island, the South Island features bigger, browner and more ‘edgy’ rises.
It all has a wilder and more forceful impression and I was surprised to see sub-tropical flora give in to coniferous forest after a short car drive. Settlements and gas stations also tend to be a lot further away from each other…
The weekend was a superb taste for my next journey there. And I hope to get such nice people again, whom you could sing some rounds with on long car rides… 😉
