Heading back up the North Island

After a fantastic 8 weeks tripping around the South Island we headed back up North.

First stop - Wellington

We got to catch up with Erica, Taciano, Mila and Elis - Thank you so much for having us to stay again. : )

 

Checking out the Cable Car Museum and going for a ride.

 Visiting the place where my Uni days began - at Weir House.

So great to catch up with my old flatmates - Vesna, Bremner and Trimmie...

 and old school friends - Tracy, Andrew, Logan and Evan.

Unfortunately I missed getting a picture with Cath, Chen and Lucia.

A night in Napier broke up our trip up the North Island.

Then it was up to Mahia for a few days to spend time at Shell and Simon's bach.

A rainy afternoon at Morere Hot Springs

Another day and another beach to ourselves...this time at Mahanga.

 

The day we left Mahia - looking out across to it.

Our last stop of the road trip - Ohope.

 And our glamping tent. : )

The Top of the South Island

Checking out the Abel Tasman from the water

Split Apple Rock

Happy Hour in Kaiteriteri

Salmon Fishing in the rain at Anatoki

Success!

Fresh smoked salmon and sashimi for lunch and fillets for dinner...yes we had salmon for the next 6 meals...

Sunshine after the flooding in Golden Bay. A spot of fishing and the beach to ourselves at Paturau.

A little home schooling on the beach.

Paturau Backpackers

On the beach checking out Farewell Spit.

Another amazing beach - this time Wharariki Beach where we got to watch baby seal pups at play.

Te Waikoropupu Springs (Pupu Springs) - the water clarity is one of the best in the world with visibility to 63 metres.

Our third overnight hike in NZ. This time we walked into Whariwharangi Hut and stayed for two nights.

Sand, sun, sea and sculptures once we got to the hut.

Dinner at Wharewharangi Hut...

and bedtime stories.

Another day of hiking.

Some of the wildlife

Jackson embracing the sunset.

Wharewharangi Hut

Feeding the tame eels at Jesters, Mapua.

Great to catch with with Blair, Joss, Tom and Cate in Nelson.

Hiking to the mid point in NZ

Feeding time at the Nature Park in Tahuna.

And so ends an amazing 8 weeks tripping around the South Island of NZ...