We arrived in Christchurch on time on the 17th March. We were met by Karens friend Wendy and family, husband Nigel and kids Victoria, David and Carys at the airport. Booked into our apartment and had our first Kiwi beer and glass of wine. In all the travelling was a lot better than anticipated, with kids being great for most of it.
18th March We walked into Christchurch city centre and with sun beating down ice creams were in order followed by a city tour in the tram finished off with a dip in the local Botanical Gardens paddling pool, where we met up with Wendy and family.
19th March. Picked up the campervan and it was great. After the horror story of Karens mum and dad experience we were nervous but nae hassle it was spot on. Packed up and then headed over to meet Colins cousin Yvonne who is on a 10 week holiday. Went for lunch at this fantastic beach restaurant at a place called Sumner and Karen and Yvonne sipped the wine while the kids had great fun in the sea and climbing and exploring the caves. Headed up the gondola which we thought was good but kids thought was a bore. Stayed over night at the campsite in Christchurch. The experience of sleeping in the campervan excited the kids and Struan kept saying with a huge grin that this was “brilliant”. The 3 boys sleep up to above the front cab and lucky Katrina gets a bed to herself ( that will know doubt change).
20th March. Drove to Akaroa to, hopefully, get a boat trip to see dolphins but all booked. Again he weather is great and the kids play in the sea. After that had a long drive to Hanmer springs (hot thermal pools) the scenery is stunning.
21st March Karens friend Wendy and family met up with us and we went to the thermal pools and spent all day there. Really good, pools are 34 – 41 degrees. The smells a bit off putting and as Struan says “smells like cauliflower”
22nd .March. Had a long drive to Lake Tekapo. Just stopping long enough to let kids burn off some energy at parks enroute.
23rd March. Beautiful day so Colin, Callum and Struan booked a scenic flight over the Cook Mountains. A must for anyone going to NZ.
24th March Left Lake Tekapo and drove to Mount Cook/Aoraki stopping at Lake Pukaki which is turquoise. Continued up to Mt Cook and stayed over Hooker valley. Brilliant place and at night with a clear sky the stars were amazing.
25th March Drove to Oamaru and saw the blue penguins come at night. Interesting for adults, boring for kids.
26th March Headed for Dunedin stopping at Moeraki Boulders and then at a sandy beach where we had fun splashing around in the sea.
27th March Left for Milford Sounds early via Te Anau. Long driving day
28th March Went for a cruise around Milford Sounds and was great. Wasn’t that clear but the views stunning. The kids managed to get into the bridge of the boat. Rained a lot that day.
29th March. Left early to miss all the tour buses on the road and stopped at Te Anau for first fry up of the holiday, lovely!! Drove towards Queenstown. On the way the kids and Karen went on a steam train from Fairly to Kingston. Arrived in Queenstown and went up the gondola. At the top there is a Luge track and it was good fun with all the kids getting to go themselves bar Katrina who went down with Karen and Colin.
30th March. Took off to Arthurs Point where we did a Jet boat trip down Shotover Canyon. Everyone though it was adrenaline pumping!! Headed off to Skipper Bridge to see the bungy jumping. Callum wanted a go but was too light – thank god. Finished up in Wanaka that night.
31st March Went to Puzzleworld which is very interesting and clever . The maze had us beat and we had to give up. Headed over to the West coast to Fox Glacier where it rained most of the night.
1st April Even though it rained we headed off to Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glacier ,was good but not clear enough weather to really appreciate them. Landed up in Greymouth at night.
2nd April. Went t Shantytown. The sun is back and the kids panned for gold. Callum thinks he found enough to buy a house – is he in for a shock.
Continued up to Westport stopping off at Punakaki to see the pancake rocks and a seal colony enroute.
3rd April. Travelled to Nelson stopping at Bullers Gorge Bridge where we all did a fire fox ( death slide) over the gorge.
