the wonders of new zealand7 , south Island

[jim and di]

So we leave the wonders of Geraldine and head to our first Alp lodge. The country gives way to what became the norm, no straight roads and lots of sharp mountain curves, O my did they get tight. The lodge at Mt. Cook was at the mid point of the mountain range so looking out the room window was a clear view of the snow capped peak.
A word about food, this was the first place where we had no choise of venue. The food was always excellent to Diane and i however, very expensive. Most dinners were well over $100 US and a stop during the day was Tea for Daine Coffee for me and a scone or one of there wonderful small lunch pies. Always $25.00. Every place we stayed at included a hot breakfast so we never know that cost.
Our next stop took us to the very southern part of the island.

 

[Ron from Big D]

Jim:  Great job.  Keep it up.

 

[Roadhappy]

Wonderful pictures Jim, keep them coming.

 

[jim and di]

From Mt. Cook to Te Anau was the longest single day drive, 420 Km. We headed South through Twizel, Omarama and Queenstown. Driving through the Alps had us stopping many times to take a photograph, and calm my nerves, the two lane roads, left side driving right side steering and the mirror on my left, and the tight turns around the mountain passes, well I will never complain about our super highways.

 

[terence nathan]

I've been following your trip around NZ and remembering our trips there in a rented motorhome - of course being a Brit meant I didn't have a problem with driving on the 'correct'!!! side of the road - but Jim Dick will remember me getting it all wrong coming out of a campground in New Orleans and seeing a huge truck coming towards me with lights flashing and horn blaring - scary stuff!

Terry

 

[jim and di]

Sorry several computer problems, plus eye surgery have prevented me from proceeding on a timely manner. So here goes.
We spent a day in Te Anau, watched a movie about Doubtful Sound and had a great Italian dinner complete with Venison meatballs. We headed out to lake Manapouri, boarded a ferry across the lake then a coach to cross the Southern Alps at Wilmot Pass and finally on the Fiordland Navigator.

 

[jim and di]

Doubtful sound was one of the highlights in a land of many. The ship we spent a overnight tour of the sound on was a purpose built cruise ship. It held about 100 people including crew. We boarded from the coach and departed for a day of poking in coves and fjords along the way to the sea and the Roaring 40'ies. We only stayed in the open sea for a half hour or a hour as the sea was 12-14 feet and short waves. We headed to a seal colony and then up the sound to a cove where out of the wind and waves the crew launched kayaks, tender boats and a swim call was announced. We stayed on the deck and shot photos. We then toured more of the sound finally ducking into a long fiord and in flat calm water anchored for the night. Dinner and a tour of the night sky ended the day.
In the morning we continued around the sound ending in a place called the "Sound of Silence". The ship came to a halt, the asked that no one talk until the engines restarted. Killed the main engine, generators, and radir. There was no birds, no water lapping the shore just silence. All in all a fun tour for sure.

 

[jim and di]

Still Doubtful sound sunset and then sunrise on a still cove.

 

[tstumpf]

Jim and Di,

Looks like you two are having a blast! (except for the eye surgery part) Love the photos. Thanks so much for sharing your trip on the forum. Save travels!

-Roni