Day 8 - Christchurch

Well, it's been awhile, hasn't it? Quick words on the south end of the South Island: curvy roads & windy. We could barely stand upright atop Mt. Luxmore and it was even windier down by Slope Point, the southernmost point on the island. Luxmore had the really strong gusts, but the Catlins were constant strong wind, blowing the ocean's waves back on themselves as they crested.

We flew down from Auckland to Queenstown right after I posted last. Looks like Wenatchee or Chelan. We passed a couple internet cafes in Queenstown and Te Anau, but didn't stop then. Even those were a couple days ago. Nights in Queenstown, Te Anau (tee-AH-now), Luxmore Hut on the Kepler Track, and last night in Dunedin (duh-NEE-din). But now we're up in Christchurch, the third-largest city in New Zealand (I think). All I have to tell the Kiwis is this: LIMITED-ACCESS HIGHWAYS ARE GOOD! They don't have nearly enough down here. None in this city, so far as I can tell.

Ah well. Here are some photos:


Natadola Beach, Fiji.


SkyTower, Auckland. Tallest building in the southern hemisphere!


Milford Sound, Fiordland National Park. We took a two-hour boat tour to the ocean and back on this fiord. The boat driver stuck the boat's bow under a couple waterfalls, one much bigger than these.


Mt. Luxmore, Fiordland National Park. Our 55-bunk hut was 1000' down from the top.


Sheep (as if you couldn't tell), Catlins. There are many more down here if you want them. But due to the rising NZ dollar, many farmers are switching to deer and elk.


Catheral, Christchurch. Nice old building.

And one more word, for when you're in New Zealand: try the meat pies. Everywhere! Every day!