Photo Diary

I have continued to make my way south into the interior of the South Island. After leaving Franz Josef I spent a night in Wanaka then onto Queenstown.

In a previous blog I wrote that I am enjoying the scenery of the South Island more than the North. Check out some of these images and you will see why!

Angel D at Lake Matheson

Lake Matheson is also referred to a Mirror Lake
as you can see from the reflection it gives off

The sun coming up near Lake Matheson

One of many of New Zealand's waterfalls



Part of NZ's South West coast and the Tasman Sea




Aqua Marine coloured Lake Hawea







3 days to go!

In 3 days I will be moving to my new home in Blenheim on the south island! I made the arrangements a couple of days ago to rent an apartment in a house, complete with kitchen, living room, laundry and internet. But what excites me the most is unpacking! No longer will I have to bring my shampoo bottles with me everytime I shower or have to repack my bag every other morning....I start work on Monday at the winery.
I am currently in the very bottom of the south island in Ivercargill and going to Milford Sound today. Photos of the south island are guaranteed to follow!

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Franz Josef Glacier Tour

I spent a couple of nights in the small alpine town of Franz Joseph. Known for their glaciers,

hiking and helicopter tours.
I have been battling an injured knee so opted for the helicopter tour as opposed to the glacier hike. It was my first time in one and it was surprisingly comfortable and smooth.
The chopper took us over the 3 highest mountains of NZ and we landed on a glacier to take photos. We were lucky with the clear weather as the clouds started to roll in just after we returned. 

I got a little "snap-happy" with the camera.....I think you will be able to see why with all this natural beauty!

New Zealand Ironman

This blog is from my time in Taupo last week. Its a rare opportunity to witness an Ironman event. The athletes, both male and female range in age from 18 - 69, compete in the swim, bike & run event.

Canadian Scott Curry finished 5th in the event! It was really cool to see the athletes, spectators and thought it would be worthwhile to share some of the photos from the event.

6:50 AM in the pouring rain, hundreds of althetes are getting ready for the swim event.



After the swim they run to the change station to get ready for the bike event.





After the bike event they proceed to the run.



This is the closest I will come to seeing a finish line at an ironman!

Tsunami

Hello everyone,

This morning I woke up to the news that there was a Tsunami in Japan with the possibility of it reaching as far as the north island of NZ. Once again I avert disaster and am safe in Queenstown which is in the bottom of the south island.
Internet connection is very spotty and slow today. I will post more by sunday night NZ time.

Dianne

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The South Island

I flew from a rainy Taupo in the north island to Nelson in the south island the other day. I will spend the next 2 weeks exploring the south before I start work in Blenheim on the 21st.

I got up at 6am in Taupo to watch the 7am start of the New Zealand Ironman competition. What timing to be here to witness it! Not like the event is hard enough, the athletes started the event with their swim in Lake Taupo in the pouring rain and it continued on through the day. One of the top contenders is Scott Curry from Canada. While I was wandering the streets I met one of Scott's spectators who happens to live in Waterloo!

I departed Nelson and headed south on the Kiwi tour bus. We stopped at Lake Rotoiti which reminded of Lake Louise, ALTA. The snow covered mountain in the background is much more vivid in person.

Making our way further south and towards the west coast we visited Cape Foulwind and Punakaiki park.

So far I am enjoying the scenery of the South Island more than the North. The mountains are taller, more rugged and the ocean seems is more dramatic.

So here is a bit of a photo diary:

1) Christ's Church from Trafalgar Street in Nelson.
2) Lake Rotoiti
3 & 4) Cape Foulwind
5) Punakaiki Park


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The Swoop

This week I have been traveling south on the North Island to Mercury Bay, Rotorurua and Waitomo.

I have done some kayaking , visited the Polynesian Spa and "swooped".

So what is the Swoop? Three people are packed in a sack and lifted 130 feet in the air and in typical New Zealand style, they drop you and you swing in the air till you stop.

I found some friends from my tour bus to join me. Below is Joanna from Sweden and Derek from Oshawa.

I have a video below thats about 1.5 minutes. I wasn't able to rotate it to make it up right. Its ok, it just adds to the dizzying effect:) Joanna was the one to pull the cord to start the drop, brave girl. I'm the one screaming like a chicken of course. Very scary. You think you are going to hit the ground every time you get close to it. (sorry Dad...I know your scared of hights and don't enjoy seeing me falling form them!)

Kayak trip in Mercury Bay