Arthur's Pass, New Zealand

This was our second pass through. And, this time it was raining cats and dogs...then it turned to snow! We had been so lucky to have beautiful days for an entire week. Luckily, it was the end of our trip and we were all exhausted. So, we crashed near the heater for a much needed nap. By the time we woke up it was dinner time.

By the next morning the storm had cleared and we headed out for one last hike before driving to the airport!

Punakaiki "Pancake Rocks" New Zealand

I was dying to see these. They did not disappoint. Really cool looking things. Unfortunately, the tide was not high enough for us to enjoy the blow holes. Next time! 

Nelson Lakes, New Zealand

This country really is like a undiscovered mine! There are amazing things everywhere and it's seems like you are the only people exploring it. We saw a total of 6 people on this hike and four of them were at the boat dock.

We took another boat taxi across the lake to a really nice hike. After all the steep grades of the Abel Tasman I think we were all ready for a more mellow hike...and this was it. It had such a gradual climb you hardly even noticed. And, we saw our one and only mammal on it. We still don't know if was a deer or a wild goat.

Joe was in extremely fine form and took us on several "safaris" while Katie navigated the swinging bridges. This country really does have crazy cool swinging bridges.

This lake has some giant eels that make my skin crawl just thinking about them. There were some boys feeding them possum meat at the boat dock and I couldn't believe how big they were. Really nasty looking creatures! Sadly I didn't get any pictures of them, just video footage. Oh, and did I mention the sand flies. Because those are awful critters too. Ten times worse than a mosquito. They attack through your clothes and the bites itch for days to weeks. I have a spot on my ankle that still haunts me!!

Motueka River, New Zealand

Just a little hike in the rain and then enjoying a beautiful sunset!

Abel Tasman, New Zealand

LOVED! LOVED! LOVED!

Abel Tasman was probably one of my most favorite places in New Zealand. It was beautiful! A few of the beaches in the reserve looked just like gold. The pictures can't even do it justice. It really was breathtaking.

I think this was the first time I was actually hot in New Zealand. It felt wonderful! This hike was so great because you followed the ocean almost the entire way. We hiked through lush rain forest, super dry areas, along the beach while the tide was out and across some awesome swing bridges! This day was really just fabulous. I kept thinking how lucky I was to be in such a beautiful place with my sweet little family!

We took a boat taxi out to see the famous "Split Apple Rock" and then on to a more remote part of the trail. This first pic is where we were dropped off and started the hike back along the ocean. It was perfect for the kids. The kids loved seeing the baby seals on the rocks and swimming in the water. Joey hiked almost all 24 km. I was amazed! By the end, they were totally worn out and so were we! Katie even fell asleep on the water taxi ride back!

Te Papa Museum, Ferry Ride and Queen Charlotte Track

Te Papa Museum, Wellington, New Zealand

I loved this! I had been so curious about New Zealand culture and history and this answered a lot of questions. However, much of New Zealand's history is still a mystery. It has only been inhabited for the last 800 years and the Maori's had no written language for most of that time. New Zealand also had no indiginous mammals. It was mainly an island of birds. And, wow, they had some crazy birds. Sadly, most of the coolest looking one's are extinct, like the Moa. I can't imagine what it would have been to come upon one of those babies.

Ferry from the North to the South Island 

This was stunning. We had been told it was something not to be missed and it was the absolute truth! The day was crystal clear, the water was a perfect shade of turquoise blue and the sun made it sparkle like diamonds. I was surprised at how little time we spent not seeing land. P.S. The kids thought we were the coolest thing next to sliced bread when we drove our car onto the ferry. Imagine their faces when they discovered the movie theater and playground on board!

Queen Charlotte Track 

Todd was bound and determined to get out by ourselves at least once during our time in NZ. His parents were kind enough to sacrifice a portion of their time to watch the kids. So we headed off to bike the Queen Charlotte track....one of the most popular tracks in New Zealand. This track was incredibly beautiful. We did a very small portion (13 of 71 km) as we only had an afternoon. We tried to find a little lunch before the big adventure, but against our better judgement we drove out of the port thinking surely there would be a little store at the start of the track. WRONG! So instead we picked up our bikes and headed out with empty stomachs. Supposedly there was a small general store about 12-13 km in. NO biggy I thought. Wrong again. The trail was uphill for most of the ride. About 11 km I told Todd I wasn't going to make it and he should just charge ahead and grab something and I would just wait for him. I seriously thought I was going to pass out and throw up from drinking only water. So off he went and I took a break. It lasted about five minutes before I felt like a total wimp on our only "date" in New Zealand. So off I went. I got to the trail fork and had no idea which way the store was so I picked the downhill version of course. After another km down to the ocean, no general store and no Todd I figured I must have picked the wrong fork. So back up the hill I went and waited. I was dying by this point. I waited and waited and no husband. I started to worry. Worry for him, and for me alone on this random track. I decided to head back to where I originally stopped hoping somehow we had passed each other. About a km in he came charging around a corner wondering where in the heck I had gone to. We had totally passed each other! Fortunately, he had found sustinance in the form of a Reese's Peanut Butter cup and KitKat bar. It was some of the best junk food I had ever tasted! The trek home was so much nicer! Downhill and a little protein in the belly can do wonders for a girl! The views were amazing. We both kept commenting how this might possibly the most beautiful bike trail we ever take!

While mama away the kids will play!

Todd was a star dad and took all three kids on a 7 hour adventure while I hiked the Tongariro. I was so impressed he hadn't lost his mind when we caught up with him later that afternoon. It looks like they had quite a fun day hiking to waterfalls and checking out the museum.