We stopped at the pancake rocks on the way. These were cool rock formations with blow holes made from the sea crashing into little caves!
Amy at pancake rocks
Here they are close up!
We also stopped at this beach in Hokitika that looks like something from a horror movie!
Creepy
We arrived in Nelson late, we were driven to our hostel as it was a fair walk out of town. Tasman bay backpackers was really quaint and comfortable, they had free chocolate pudding from 8pm every day. Everyone tells me it was brill! We were up early and at the bus stop by 745 so didn't really have time to see the sights of Nelson. The next journey was to Picton to catch the ferry over to North Island.
Picton was so lovely, it felt like a seaside town in the south of France, glittering water, flapping boat sails and eateries with outside tables. We took a walk to 'Bobs bay' where we sat and had a picnic.
Bag lady walking for her picnic!
The view from Bobs bay!
Looking out over Picton harbour.
The view from the harbour side cafe.
We had driven through the Marlborough region, famous for its wine, to get to Picton. So I decided to try the 'Two Rivers' Sauvinon blanc as a wine tour of my own!
Even if it was only just 12 o clock!
We took the ferry across to Wellington on which the captain announced in front of us was a pod of wild dolphins! This was amazing! They were there 100m ahead, we got closer and closer U til they were literally outside, we had conveniently sat at the front in the top deck cafe as the sea was to be calm this crossing. Amazing!
The pod of dolphins
We arrived late again in Wellington, had a stroll around the cry centre as the sun went down and headed back for some dinner. We both are really fond of the capital city, it really has a lot to offer !
The next morning was another early start. We took the coach from Wellington to Whanganui. We stopped in a place called Bulls, named after an Englishman James Bull, and twinned with Cowes (Isle of Wight!). This was supposed to be a ten minute stop but we were informed as we arrived in Bulls that the roads were closed following the devastating flooding that had happened in Whanganui the previous weekend. This was disappointing as for the first time in awhile it was raining, and even for us, there was little to do in Bulls!
Eventually 3 hours later than expected we made it to Whanganui, our hostel was lovely, very quiet but luckily untouched by the flooding. We walked up the hill to a monument to the war. An elevator had been built in 1919 to get to the top of this hill but in true Amy and alex style we walked instead
A sign showing they've still got their sense of humour!
After some dinner and a cuddle in front of the tele we headed to bed. The next mornin. We walked around the Victoria lake reserve. It was gorgeous, there were birds everywhere and really crystal clear water.
Deer park
The entrance to the reserve
By the lake - blue sky :)
This bird chased me, I screamed, gave Kelly a heart attack!
Love birds in the aviary
A cute bridge inthe park
Amys grandma had told us to take every opportunity as we've only got a few days left so on seeing these pencils it seemed appropriate to hug them :)
We made it back to the hostel and to the bus on time for a quick bus ride to New Plymouth
Our last dorm experience
After a sleep we headed off to walk the coastal walk before getting the bus for the last couple of legs to Hamilton!
Our coastal walk in New Plymouth was fab! The weather was a little bit cheeky, we got a complete frontal shower at one point but the views over the sea were lovely
The coastal walk up to the Te Wera Wera bridge.
The bridge
Behind the grey clouds was the peak of Mount Taranaki
You can just about see it
A rainbow! And on to Hamilton
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