Two hours and 9 minutes until we land!

Walking tour around Auckland with Justine. \240Afterwards had oysters which were the most horrible I ever had. \240They are called Clevendon coast and were the fishiest, mealiest, most disgusting I’ve ever had. Was told those are the least fishy of the NZ \240oysters. \240Yikes!

Travel day to Thames and Coromandel Peninsula. Cyclone passing through brought rain and there were “slips” where mud and rock washed onto the road. The other people on our tour could not pass through the roads and had to cancel. \240I truly feel bad for them, but it ended up that we got a private tour and we did a lot of things.

Tour with Kiwi Dundee tours and John, the owner and tour guide. He does not let the slips keep us from doing all the activities she had planned for us.

Traveled to Rotorua 1/7

Off to Dunedin!! Checked into Camp Estate toured the garden at Lanarch Castle and ate dinner at the castle. The meal was lamb rump and was delicious. Panna a cotta was dessert. We thought we would have to pay, but apparently it was included.

Tunnel beach, castle tour and wildlife tour. Tim was our bus driver who picked us up at the Camp Estate. We packed a lunch but by the time we got to eat it was kind of gross. Tim was a quirky dude with a long beard. He took us by this sand flat and pointed out a bunch of different birds.

Royal spoonbill

White faced heron

Spur winged plover

Pied oyster catcher

Pied stilt

Sea lion ( male and female)

Eastern bar tailed Godwit Alaska to New Zealand migration. Longest nonstop migration. 11 days 9 hours

Paradise

Duck

Variable oyster catcher

Black swan

Pukeko

Otago shag

Little shag

Albatross

Red billed gull

Yellow eyed penguin

On the way there we saw a sea lion. \240We walked out to Allans beach and saw another female sea lion under a rock up on the beach, then he dropped us off at the albatross center where we saw a video, and her to talk on the albatross. We saw \240some red billed gulls with their chicks, albatross, and even a Royal spoonbill, in-flight, as well as albatross, flying, and sitting on their nest in a hill by the sea, Went to a penguin sanctuary to see the yellow eyed penguin and then walked through this covered trench in the wild near a beach (name began with a p). Then saw a pair with two chicks. I got some pictures through his scope. The little blue penguins, which are the smallest species don’t come on sure until 9 PM so we were not able to see them. Tim dropped \240us off at the Camp Estate

Drove from Wanaka to Fox Glacier and stayed at the Te Weheke hotel. On \240way, checked out Blue pools and Thunder Falls. Checked into the hotel ate (my first Pavlova!!) then hiked to Lake Matheson . Ate at Betsy Jane named after an explorer’s dog who died around Fox Glacier. \240Finally saw my first Wood Pidgeon.

Woke up and had a quick breakfast \240before meeting at 8:40 for our Fox Glacier Helihike. Jenna was our guide. We changed into rain pants, raincoats and leather boots. We put on crampons once we got there. Explored around and found a small “cave”. They asked to post my pic on there social media site😁

Today was a travel day. Left around 8 after breakfast cuz had to wait for the general manager to take our passports from the safe. Went the wrong route and backtracked about 50 miles to see pancake ricks and Cape Foulwind and a colony of fur seals.

Finally made it to our b&b Accent House in the village of Mapua. We walked to the wharf and had dinner at the Apple Shed per Sharon or host’s recommendation.

Travel day from Mapua and the accent bed and breakfast hosted by the gracious, Sharon who prepared a breakfast of cereal including homemade granola, yogurt, fruit, Brie and another cheese, ham, prosciutto and fresh croissants. Unfortunately we didn’t get a picture of her. Off to kaikoura via Nelson and Havelock. the Green shell mussel capital of the world. At the \240“Mussel Pot” had mussels 4 ways fried, marinated, croquettes, grilled and raw. Stopped by Ohau park and so hella fur seals with nurseries and babies. \240Had a drink while watching the seals (and great scenery)Then on to our hotel Sufima Kaikoura. \240Dropped a suitcase on \240my already injured toe and my ankle swelled up so iced it, did a weight work out then iced it again with a glass of wine. Went to the hotel restaurant named Himu. I had the lobster which was a huge portion and a blood orange thyme margarita. Craig got the King Salmon. Got basque cheesecake (no crust) for dessert. Awesome!!

Traveled from Kaikoura to Christchurch. Stopped in Waipaira where there are lots of vineyards and had tasting at Torlesse vineyards. \240We basically tried them all and bought more bottles😆. \240Arrived at Orari b and b and walked to lunch at Chiwawai Mexican restaurant. \240Then took the hop on hop off tram. \240Saw efforts to rebuild some of the buildings that collapsed during the earthquake on February 22, 2011. \240There was a festival in town called tbe Bread and Circus, Buskers dayor something with performers. \240At night there’s to be a classical music concert with fireworks, but we had to turn in early.

Checked with Michael our bike trip leaderto firm up last minute details. \240Turns out we can take all of our luggage. Walked to where to meet and spoke to a taxi driver for a ride…although short walk, we have lots of luggage.

Had dinner at “Original sin” an average Italian restaurant then walked home.

Met our leader Michael Revel at Cathedral Junction after loading into a taxi. Met two other people going on the trip, Tracy and Jeff from Newcastle UK. She has a horse riding school. Loaded onto the van and headed to the first leg of tbd trip. Mike had fruit and snacks in the van. We stopped for coffee and then lunch. Cycled by a canal for a ways ?check itinerary). \240We cycled 27 K. Stayed at —— and had dinner. \240Saw crested grebes including a baby.

Day 1

Travel Christchurch to Tekapo - up to 44km Cycle

Your Alps to Ocean (A20) adventure begins with the drive across the picturesque Canterbury Plains.

After refreshments in the country town of Geraldine, we'll continue through rolling farmland to reach Fairlie where we'll stop for lunch.

The scenic journey over Burke's Pass is a fitting introduction to the famous Mackenzie Country, where Lake Tekapo soon appears as a bright blue jewel.

From here, we'll warm the legs up with a ride on quiet backroads to Lake Alexandrina, a serene high country lake.

Back at Tekapo Village, there's time to wander along the lakeside to see the Church of the Good Shepherd.

Cycling distance: up to 44Km

Accommodation: Lake Tekapo Village Motel

Had a nice gin and tonic before dinner.

DAY3 Twizel to Omarama - 64 or 83km Cycle

The stunning scenery keeps coming as we ride alongside the Pukaki and Ohau canals, then Lake Ohau where we stop for lunch..

Confident riders can continue on the trail to Tarnbrae Saddle (900m), the highpoint of the A2O. The vast Mackenzie Country views are just reward for the climb.

Insert photo

DAY4 Omarama to Kurow - 67km

Today’s ride takes us down the Waitaki Valley, known for its hydro lakes and dams.

First, we follow the trail along the shores of Lake Benmore to Sailors Cutting. From there, we join the lakeshore to traverse around the shoreline of rocky outcrops, little beaches and even tree covered There is an easier option for less confident riders who would prefer to avoid this more technical section.

Regrouped, it’s a fun downhill cycle towards Aviemore Dam, where we’ll enjoy a picnic by the lake.

We’ll arrive at Kurow with plenty of time to explore the town’s surrounds. Highlights include beautifully restored St Albans Church and wine-tasting at local vineyards.

We’ll stay overnight in Kurow in an elegant lodge serving dinner showcasing local produce. Cycle distance: 67km

Accommodation : Waitaki Braids, Kurow

meals: B,L,D

3 – © 2023 Adventure South ‐ Phil Wyndham 9/02/2023 1:57:14 PM

Jan. 26

This morning the cycle trail takes us along the banks of the Waitaki River, past vineyards and a Maori rock art site to reach the small town of Duntroon.

From there, we head inland into rolling country and wander around the unique Elephant Rocks, huge formations strewn across a field.

Picking up the old railway line, we’ll ride through Raki’s tunnel before rolling downhill to the settlement of Windsor. The historic Burnside Homestead is a fitting place for our final dinner together and a well-deserved night’s sleep.

Cycle distance: 28km (Kurow–Duntroon) & 40km (Duntroon–Burnside Homestead) Accommodation : Burnside Homestead.

Jan 27

DAY6 Windsor to Christchurch, via Oamaru - 19km Cycle

We get to enjoy one more ride on the A2O before we begin our road trip back to Christchurch.

Setting off from our accommodation, we keep on rolling through picturesque rural countryside. We pass Oamaru Stone quarry, where stone has been extracted since the nineteenth century. We’ll see its influence on local architecture once we reach Oamaru.

After riding through the town’s delightful municipal gardens, we’ll reach the Victorian Precinct and harbourside park where the A2O finish-line sign offers the perfect photo-op.

If time allows, explore the shops and galleries or visit the mind-boggling Steampunk HQ museum.

After a late lunch, we’ll begin our journey north across the Canterbury Plains, arriving in central Christchurch early evening.

Cycle distance: 19km (Burnside–Oamaru)

Woke up at 5 to catch our 9 am flight from Christchurch to Auckland and the taxi driver said the Auckland airport had flooded. Once we got there we saw that our flight was cancelled. We waited in line for a while and Craig asked a rep about rebooking. \240Was told we need to call the airline (Air New Zealand). Couldn’t get through and finally were told we had to go through Priceline who told us the status of our ticket to the next leg needed to be cancelled by the airline before they could rebook. When the status changed, Priceline said it was under the control of the airline (now Qantas). After a long back and forth. the rep said to rebook ourselves which we did on Priceline. We were in hold forever but are making the best of it. Went to a very nice dinner at king of snake and lunch at the Riverside eateries. I did a wine tasting and Craig had a beer. We tried Mead also. \240Before dinner got lured to this little festival by this flute music which we enjoyed for a bit.

Slept in til 8:40. Lazed around a while. I did a work out and Craig watched tv. Went to the botanical gardens where there was a band playing. It was beautiful! \240Watched some of the buskers, Had a late lunch \240TV Shaka brothers or something, a burger joint are outside and listened to a guitar player. Went back home to drop off some stuff (got couri and couri glass earrings and more dish towels. Went to dinner at the Casa Publica. \240a South American restaurant with a nice Spanish guitarist. Got ice cream (hokey pokey) and came home😁