South Island

*

After 20+ hours of traveling the crew arrives in Christchurch. We didn't spend much time in Christchurch as it was extremely damaged by last year's earthquake.
We rented a van from the super hot Jucy girl
Our first stop was in Akaroa... just south east of Christchurch.
Although Akaroa had little earthquake damage the cemetery had been rocked. The sign reads "Many of the headstones and monuments in this cemetery are unstable due to the recent earthquakes".
Sheep out number people on the south island in the neighborhood of 10-1
Akaroa dock
Akaroa dock
This Akaroa painter created an amazingly life like image
Green lipped muscles were a staple on this trip
We mostly stayed in hostels where snoring could be an issue. This guy stumbled in at 5 in the morning and snored loudly until noon. If this is you... call me and I will send you a copy of this picture.
Akaroa
A view of Akaroa
Coast line near Oamaru (north of Dunedin) was good for sea lion and penguin watching
Alex looking for sea lions
A sea lion playing near the shore
Kay gets up close and personal with the sea lions
It was cool to see these guys in their natural habitat
Alex and Kristi on the shore just north of Dunedin
Giant stone beach balls
Dean being hatched
Playing on the beach
In Dunedin we assembled our Ritchey Breakaway bikes.
In Dunedin we attempted to ride the steepest street in the world. If it hadn't been raining I think we would have made it. It was a little un-nerving to get off the bike... in road shoes... on the steepest part... especially with the pavement slick
Dunedin train station... reminiscent of Disney Land
Enjoying some beers at Dunedin's historic Speights Brewery.
"We're on a boat"... on Lake Te Anau. Going to see the glow worm cave.
While they wouldn't let us take pictures of the glow worms or the cave I did manage to capture the amazing full moon over Lake Te Anau.
Picture perfect weather as we "tramped" our way from Te Anaua to the Kepler Track.
Heading from Te Anau to the Kepler trail head.
Heading from Te Anau to the Kepler trail head.
Kay and Dean on their way to the Luxmore Hut... the first hut of the Kepler Track
Alex making his way to the Luxmore Hut
Gorgeous view of Lake Te Anua
Alex capturing the moment
Approaching the Luxmore Hut
Luxmore Hut - Kepler Track
Dean near the Luxmore Hut with Lake Te Anau in the background
Another view of the Luxmore Hut - Kepler Track
With the sunlight behind her... Kay glows green entering into a cave near the Luxmore Hut
A view of the cave's entrance
Alex explores the cave. We spent over an hour exploring the various veins of the cave.
Stalactites and Stalagmites in the Luxmore Cave
Stalactites and Stalagmites in the Luxmore Cave
Sunrise from the Luxmore Hut
Fog beginning to breakup over Lake Te Anau
Fog all clear over Lake Te Anau
Full moon at the Luxmore Hut
Kepler Track day 2... hiking up high to the Iris Burn Hut
We had an incredible hike to the Iris Burn Hut
Alex poses with the Fiords in the distance
The crew on the summit of Mt. Luxmore
Kay and Dean making there way to the Iris Burn Hut on day 2 of the Kepler Track
Another crew hiking up high on day 2 of the Kepler Track
Kepler Track Day 2
The Iris Burn Hut
Pretty bird close to the Iris Burn Hut
Day 3 of the Kepler Track... "tramping" to the Moturau Hut. This hike was all rain forest.
A water fall close to the Iris Burn Hut
On the way to the Moturau Hut. Kepler Track day 3
On the way to the Moturau Hut. Kepler Track day 3
Magic Mushrooms... On the way to the Moturau Hut. Kepler Track day 3
The "Big Slip" is a flattened out area created by a massive landside in 1986
On the way to the Moturau Hut. Kepler Track day 3
We arrived at Moturau Hut with tired feet.
After the Kepler we headed to Milford Sound. It was Kristi's first day of driving... she hit a bridge. Dean and I changed the tire and the adventure continued. This would be Kristi's last day of driving and a significant step towards self actualization ;-)
The gorgeous Milford Sound
Milford Sound
Milford Sound
Alex at Milford Sound
Waterfalls at Milford Sound
Alex and Kristi at Milford Sound
The crew relaxing in Queenstown after a tough day on the Milford Sound
Whao! (aka BOING!!!) Alex in Queenstown
A steamboat takes tourists on a scenic tour of Lake Wakatipu from Queenstown
A steamboat takes tourists on a scenic tour of Lake Wakatipu from Queenstown
The crew on our first ride of the trip from Queenstown to Glenorchy and back. It was a perfect day for the most scenic ride of the trip. 92Km of relentless rolling hills.
Like I said... the ride along Lake Wakatipu to Glenorchy was incredible
Kristi rides from Queenstown to Glenorchy... Glacier in the distance
the ride along Lake Wakatipu to Glenorchy was incredible
the ride along Lake Wakatipu to Glenorchy was incredible
Dean glad to be heading back to Queenstown
the ride along Lake Wakatipu to Glenorchy was incredible
Kay enjoying the hills back to Queenstown
A view of the "Remarkable Mountains" from Queenstown
Heading north on the west coast close to Mt Aspiring National Park we stumbled upon this 5+ dream
Waterfall in Mt. Aspiring National Park
Kristi hopping a fresh water stream to get to the beach for some rock collecting
Approaching "Pancake Rocks" near Greymouth on the west coast
Approaching "Pancake Rocks" near Greymouth on the west coast
Pancake Rocks
Kristi enjoying the view
Pancake Rocks
Kay and Dean exploring Pancake Rocks
Pancake Rocks
Pancake Rocks
A view of a directional sign at Pancake Rocks
How many Km to NYC?
Pancake Rocks
Kristi seal watching near Greymouth
Alex watching seals near Greymouth
A waterfall close to Franz Josef Glacier
The crew poses for U2's next album cover at Franz Josef Glacier
Franz Josef Glacier
We met a cool ranger at Franz Josef Glacier. Dean fell in love.
Kristi steals the rangers heart
Alex crosses a suspension bridge close to Murchison
In Nelson the crew prepares for our credit card road riding
A view from our hostel in Collingwood
A view from our hostel in Collingwood
The super yummy best desert of the trip... a Sticky Date Pudding... complete with whipped cream, ice cream, white chocolate and the glazed sticky date pudding itself. We had two of these
The crew preps to ride from Collingwood to Motueka. 83km including a 791meter climb over Takaka Hill
A few minutes outside of Collingwood... an apple fell from Kristi's pack... Dean braked and Kay ran into him bending spokes on both bikes. Good thing Dean is a skilled mechanic.
Alex enjoying the view just outside of Takaka
Chex Alexis made us yummy crepes with blue cheese, pear and maple syrup in Takaka.
We spotted a hawk while climbing Takaka Hill
Dean approaching Takaka Hill
After an hour of climbing Kristi passes Hardwood Lookout close to the summit of Takaka Hill
At the top of Takaka Hill we ran into some locals who were waiting for their wives to bring them some beer. It was their first time climbing the hill. It was St. Patty's Day
The crew on top of Takaka Hill
Kristi screams down Takaka Hill
Hiking in Abel Tasman National Park. Horses on the beach
Dean stoked for a Abel Tasman boat ride. He's on a boat!
Alex and Kay "tramping" in Abel Tasman
Abel Tasman National Park
Abel Tasman National Park
Dean entertaining us at Abel Tasman National Park. For Kay's sake I hope that is his arm.
Star Fish in Abel Tasman National Park
A shot of Kristi from inside a beach cave at Abel Tasman National Park
Abel Tasman National Park
Abel Tasman National Park
Kristi sports the "married look" at our hostel in Nelson
A view from Dean's reading spot at our hostel in Nelson
Impressive Pipes in Nelson
A kayaker enjoys the bay at Nelson
Kay and Dean stoked for dinner at the Boat Shed in Nelson
Alex and Kristi at the Boat Shed in Nelson
Sunset from the dinner table in Nelson
Kristi and Dean riding from Havelock to Nelson. Do you think their packs look big for credit card riding?
The roads were nice
Orchard in Wakefield
Kay rides the Road Eighty Eight bonus loop back to Wakefiled
Road Eighty Eight to Wakefield
We love Road Eighty Eight
Road Eighty Eight
Riding to St. Arnaud the views were almost as amazing as the hills we were riding. This day brought tears to many.
Kristi stoked to be in St. Arnaud
Can you say latte? Wow!
A view from the deck of our hostel in Blenheim
Riding a piece of the "Grape Ride" loop we visited Picton
Riding the amazing Queen Charlotte Drive between Picton and Havelock. Raw lumber export is a major industry in New Zealand
Kristi rides the Queen Charlotte Drive to Havelock
Views from the Queen Charlotte Drive to Havelock
Views from the Queen Charlotte Drive to Havelock
Views from the Queen Charlotte Drive to Havelock
Views from the Queen Charlotte Drive to Havelock
A yummy breakfast in Picton. A poached egg, a fried egg, a grilled banana, french toast with real maple syrup, a baked tomato with pesto and a grilled portabella mushroom. The latte wasn't bad either. Good thing we averaged 56 miles a day on our bikes.
Alex enjoying the ride into Kaikoura. The last town of our journey. I was hungry for some seafood here... crayfish to be specific
Near Kaikoura
The "iconic" Nin's Bin near Kaikoura... amazing looking seafood... but way over priced... we moved on.
Views from Kaikoura
Views from Kaikoura
The crew packing up the bikes and getting ready for the flight back.
Bikes and gear all packed up and ready for the flight back to Colorado. We would arrive in Denver an hour earlier than when we left New Zealand... feeling at least 2 hours younger. What a great trip it was!