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So we crossed the Cook Straits to the South Island with Paula and Jane, and headed straight for the Nelson area at the top of the island. From there we had day sea kayaking, pulling into little bays every so often to snorkel. The guy who took us out collected a load of sea urchin type things, which he and Paula set about - splitting open and eating the dubious looking yellow coloured roe. Anything that has that much pink goo come out of it shouldn't be eaten in my view... Anyway, it reinforced our desire to kayak, and P&J provided numerous entertaining incidents (particularly Paula nearly throwing herself out of the kayak after a spider climbed on her head in a cave)!

South Island

Thomasin Turner
2006-08-21 15:23:50

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which goes the direct way to Milford Sound. The weather was amazing, the mountains stunning and with mountain huts rather than tents and Scott and Richard's scheme to take wine with us, it was a bit more civilised than our previous trips (if you can call sharing a dorm with 20 other stinking hikers civilised?). After 3 days walking, we headed to C&R's place in Dunedin - they have views of the pacific from their lounge! We went body boarding at their local beach, went to
see blue and yellow eyed penguins and albatross on the Otago peninsula, and were once again treated to seeing an orca cruising past. And it was great to catch up with C&R and see their enviable NZ lifestyle- even if Camilla demonstrated an unhealthy interest in plastic bags (she even has them hanging out to dry on the line...).

We then had to hot foot it to Chirstchurch to meet our final visitors, my folks. In true Turner style they bought their bikes with them (I kid you not!), albeit very neat little folding ones. We headed across the alps again, and after a bit of cycling and soaking in thermal springs, continued north to the Marlborough Sounds. There we ditched bikes in favour of kayaks/canoe, and had a day paddling around the sound, pausing only to swim at deserted beaches - a bit repetative I know, but it doesn't get boring!

After a rough crossing back across the Cook Straits (waves came over the boat, and it was a big boat), we continued to head north, calling in at Lake Taupo on route. There is a hot water stream there that joins the main river. It is
Having finally met Susan and Colin... Full Image
bizarre, but you sit in the river under a piping hot waterfall. Whilst we were there autumn seemed to arrive, which is always good when you are about to leave a country. We headed back to Auckland to sell the car, which thankfully only took a day and a half (there were some desperate looking backpackers around trying to get rid of even more desperate looking vehicles) and meant that we had the chance to visit the area of Auckland where Dad grew up. Leeds must have come as a bit of a shock after living 5 minutes from Mission Bay beach....

Well, that turned into a bit of an epic. Looking forward to seeing eveyone all too soon!

Love Tom and Scott xx