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Because of the sand flies we had breakfast in the camper this morning. Then we went to Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park. We walked the Hooker Valley Trail, which leads in about 3h to Hooker Lake, from where you have a great view of Mount Cook ( 3724 m ). Since it was very rainy, we unfortunately did not have them. The hiking trail is very well developed, and leads over several suspension bridges. On the slopes you can see the ice melting. The glacial streams become ripping streams. Beautiful flowers grow on the meadows. In good weather certainly dreamlike.

In any case, we got really wet. On the way back I found a portmonaie in the toilet. We handed this over at the Visitor Center.

Back on the road and in the sunshine we discovered Lindis Pass, a lookout point at the roadside, where you could hike a good bit steeply. We had a phenomenal view.

Arriving in Wanaka tonight we are again on a DOC camping ground on the main road. We were shopping for a short time and tonight there were wraps with beans.

Silke

We had a very nice first day in 2019. Today, nature has completely inspired us. Every few kilometers there was a new great photo motif. The water shining blue and turquoise, the flowers at the side of the road purple, pink and pink, the mountain peaks in the distance,… .

At noon we started in Christchurch after we slept and had breakfast. Weatherwise, everything was right again today. Beautiful sunshine, slightly windy, at about 23 degrees. Just right for travel.

We have a fantastic place above Lake Pukaki. Today there was spaghetti with tomato sauce for dinner, with either feta cheese or tuna. Overlooking the lake and a wonderful sunset at 21:24. After that I lost again at the Carcassonne. Janik 130 points, Reiner 107 points, Melina 105 points and I 99 points. Reiner has taken the lead in the ranking.

Silke

Happy New Year 2019 !!!

In beautiful sunshine in Amberley we went swimming in the sea before breakfast. The way to Christchurch led briefly past a shopping center.At the campsite in Christchurch we grilled deliciously. I tinted my hair. Melina brought me my coloration and Janik has already compared my hair color to a lucky cat.In the evening it started to rain, so that we all walked through the streets with hoods. We are by bus to Hagley Park. There were still a bunch of Germans and a Swiss on the bus. The bus driver drove an extra lap first and passed our stop again.After the disembarking we walked about 45 min and then did not come to a bar, because one girl of the other Germans was only 17. So we're right in the park. There was a great stage with live band. A few stalls with fries and sweetstuff sands and soft drinks (no alcohol!). The band played until 0:00 a.m. and announced the countdown. Then there was a nice fireworks display.

After that, everyone had to leave the park quickly. We walked in the rain to the campsite. All shops and petrol stations on our "home" which were still open did not sell beer or wine.

So we experienced a rather short, wet and sober but funny New Year's Eve in New Zealand.

We wish you all a happy and healthy New Year 2019!

Silke

After a good pancake breakfast we have the calories on the Waterfall trail in about 2.5 hours. It is a beautiful hiking trail, sometimes a bit steeper, and twice you have to cross a stream.

The waterfall is 42m high and it was worth the effort of the ascent. There are many mountain bike trails here in Hanmer Spring and you can also do jet boat trips and bungyjumping. Would definitely be a place for a longer holiday. However, we have moved on. In Amberley today we sleep on a campsite right by the sea.

On the dark beach some sport fishermen threw out their fishing and a few families had a picnic. The only annoying thing here are the sand flies – very annoying!

Silke

We walked again to the pebble beach of Kaikoura. There we observed a "walewatching" helicopter taking off and landing.

Then we started inland. The landscape is really great. Lavender blue slopes and ice blue rivers, …

In Hanmer Springs we visited the thermal bath, which was heated to 40 degrees with natural gas. Now we stand just outside the forest on a DOC campsite under a shining starry sky.

We lost the match Carcassonne against the "Prince".

Silke

Immediately after getting up we took the 8:30 a.m. ferry from Wellington to Picton – South Island. The crossing was very pleasant, in the best sea weather. It lasted a good 3 hours and costs for 4 pers. + camper 531 NZD. You don’t have any fixed seats, but we got a nice table in the conservatory of the café.

On the way to Kaikoura we saw a large sea lion colony at Half Moon Bay. That was probably a few hundred animals, many mothers with very small howlers. They have basked on the rocks.

You can see them very well from the side of the road, over a railing. At the campsite we grilled for dinner. The weather is getting a little better, we could sit outside at about 20 degrees.

Silke

After a breakfast in fine weather outside, we packed our seven things and went to Wellington. On the way we did a short shopping box stop in an outlet center.

Wellington is a beautiful little port city and by the way the capital of New Zealand. We walked along the harbour promenade and looked at Cuba Street. There we also ate Mexican in the restaurant "Fidel Castro".

We are standing in a public car park right next to the harbour tonight. Parking fee 24 h 30 NZD.

Silke

After a stormy rainy night, we had breakfast in the camper pancakes. The weather has now cleared up. We then set off on a 3 h hike towards Putangirua Pinnacles. The entrance was directly at the campsite. The trail led us up a forest path to a great viewpoint over the bizarre rocky pinstripe landscape. Like a theatrical setting, it spreads out in front of you.

Through a riverbed, which had to be overcome partly by boulders, we reached the foot of the rock columns. Here the "Paths of Death" scenes for "The Lord of the Rings" were filmed.

Afterwards we went on to Wellington in the camper. We grilled for dinner.

Silke