T H E    M I c h e l s e n ‘s in

South Island, New Zealand,

The highlight for us in New Zealand began in Akaroa midway down the East coast of the South Island. 

Many guests traveled from Akaroa by bus or car to Christchurch, probably the best known and largest city of the South Island.  It was hit by a disastrous earthquake in September 4 2010 a powerful 7.6 on the Richter scale but the epicenter was deep in the earth and outside the city.  The second was in February 22 2011 and 6.4 on the Richter scale but was very close the earth’s surface and struck the center of the city – hence the great loss of life and property destruction, see animation on :  http://www.christchurchquakemap.co.nz/all ).  Christchurch is still in midst of rebuilding.

We chose to go on a spectacular land adventure which took us away from the boat for 2 days.  We (12 people) left Akaroa driving through the beautiful coastal hills to the Canterbury Plains in the center of the Island.  If you did not know better, you would be in Kansas, Iowa etc.

                                   

Miles upon miles of beautiful pastures, called "Paddocks" in New Zealand. They are filled with cattle, sheep and crops.        

We stopped in Geraldine, a small village and had lunch at a private home, a farm with beautiful gardens.  The owners had taken a weekend retreat that belonged to his parents and created a Shangri-la, much like my nephew David has done with the old family house in     Annisquam.                                                  

The luncheon meat was lamb (I guess you could assume this).

                                               

After we left, all of a sudden the Southern Alps (they stretch over 500 km) arose in the background over the water of a huge lake, lake Tekapo

On the shores of Lake Tekapo - the country's highest large lake (710m above sea level) We could see our destination, the towering peak of Mount Cook, 12,500 feet high and a beautiful snow covered summit.

During our drive we noticed the famous: line cloud formation, the area is called "the cloud line".

Then we arrived at the Mount Cook airport in the Mt. Cook National Park. Seven of us (Anči and I included) climbed in the ski plane for our flight up the mountain to the glacier – just spectacular.  

We tramped around the snow, the air was warm and after photos, we climbed in a helicopter for our flight back.

The view from Our ride back in the Helicopter :

                                                                 

We spent the night, after a beautiful dinner at the Mt. Cook Hotel where every room looks at the glacier and the mountains.  Even all the elevators have a wall of glass

 This was the view from our hotel window.

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We left early the next morning for our ultimate destination, the ship, which was in Port Chalmers, near Dunedin (south of Akaroa). Our driver took us past a series of 5 reservoirs created by dams in the large river flowing out of the mountains – 50% of the South Island’s power comes from these hydroelectric stations.  The lakes provide great recreational spots.  New Zealand does not allow nuclear plants

We also stopped at a charming café, the site of the Moeraki Boulders, large stones on the beach, thought to have been formed 60 million years ago. 

Jost had a light lunch ! The sticks are in fact shrimps rolled inside a crepe.

 

could not resist this  strange looking stone, almost human

This beautiful Merino ram

made us choose a name for our group

We also bought some items made out of Possum and Merino, interesting combination.  See explanation :

http://www.merinopossum.co.nz/

On to Dunedin called the “Edinburgh” of the South.  The largest University of the South Island is here as well as many beautiful buildings and a very old and beautiful train station.

                                                   

                                                                                 

                                          

WALKING AROUND TOWN, WE DISCOVERED INTERESTING SIGNS AND SHOPS

  

 AND NEW TRANSPORTATION FOR OUR NEXT TRIP AROUND THE WORLD.

When experiencing a new country it is important to learn to speak like the natives.

Kiwi accent is very easy to pick up, the trick is in the vowels :

A becomes E - "now thet I hev your ettention let's get beck to                         the lesson, ay!"  
I becomes U   - "  Lets go get some fush and chups bro"                                                                                            
Etc..  we had a lot of fun listening to our guide/driver.

We then rejoined the ship in Port Chalmers and found a wonderful welcome treat in our room.  What a great butler, Gabrielle, you are the best.

Back on our Silver Whisper we spent the next two days cruising the Milford and Dusky Sounds, beautiful beyond belief, filled with spectacular waterfalls and fjords, with a backdrop of high mountain peaks.  It reminded both of us of our trip through the Chilean Fjords that we experienced two years ago.

 This rock is called the elephant

As we set sail for Sydney, Australia.  We were suddenly struck with an overwhelming feeling that we had just departed one of the most beautiful spots on earth, and we so grateful that we had an opportunity to visit this wonderful small nation, so close to Antartica.