The Catlins: 23 Apr to 25 Apr

The Catlins are amazing. I think that's how I start every single post :) But really...they are. They are on the southeast coast of the south island. Just wait - I have heaps of photos.

Cow crossing! The drive to the Catlins was a fun long day.

Bluff

Windswept trees

Waipapa point

Slope point, the most southern tip of NZ 

Curio bay

Penguins in the distance

More sheep - they are everywhere in the south

 All day Sunday (Easter!) we drove around and saw amazing things. We went on 6 different short walks. It was a really long day but amazing.

Purakaunui Falls

Walk to Cathedral Caves

Cathedral Caves - only accessible at low tide

At the caves I walked farther away from everyone else that was also there. I was busy taking pictures of the cool seaweed, when a big series of waves came and drenched my shoes and pants. So I went barefoot after that! The pacific was cold, but it felt wonderful!

We went crazy drawing things in the sand. This says "God loves you"

Lake Wilkie

Surat Bay

Nugget Point

The following morning we got up early and headed up the coast. It was Easter Monday and ANZAC day, so everything was closed. It took about 6 hours to drive back to CHCH.

It was a long trip, and I had so much fun. All of us had tons of fun. And by popular demand (ie my sister Emily) here is a picture of all of us (from Siming's camera):

June, Siming, me, Emma, Chai, Xinni, and Noelani above

Te Anau: 18 Apr to 23 Apr

Te Anau was amazing. It is a small town on the edge of the Fiordlands. We had a wonderful hostel too - everyone was in the same room and we had an outside entrance, like in Paihia. Everyday we drove somewhere and hiked a bit, then came back, went to the grocery store, made dinner, and watched a movie on Emma's computer. It was great fun. The moon was also full during this period, so I was happy :)

Right outside our hostel

First we went on the track to Shallow Bay

Sweet NZ robin that hung around us for awhile

Lake Manapouri

The following day we drove to Milford Sound. It was amazing! We were really lucky and had a great clear warm day. We stopped a whole bunch on the way there and back and did short hikes.

Mirror Lakes

Milford Sound!

"Max load 5 persons"!

Can you see my shadow?

Lake Marian Falls

Yay! I passed the 45 deg north a few times in December

The following day we did this sweet hike called the circle track. First we had to get over the river - so we rented a rowboat! It was hard work.

Chai, June, and Siming

There are many signs like this on the road

There are sandflies everywhere here. I got a million bites on my ankles when rowing. 

Finally, a typical night at the hostel. 

Te Anau really was great. We went crazy each night. Many dance videos! We also listened to the Flight of the Conchords a lot. 

I'm clearly not in a talkative mood right now...just wait till I get home and I'll probably never shut up about New Zealand. One thing though - NZ really is beautiful. You almost start to take it for granted after a while.