Dunedin [January 20 - 22]

After Hampden I traveled to Dunedin. What a beautiful ride that was!


On my way to Dunedin.


Me on Baldwin Street, the steepest street in the world, with a gradient of 33%!


This car did not make it. lol.


This is how steep the street is.




On one evening I went to the peninsula near Dunedin to see Blue Penguins. They were out late that night, but what a lovely sight. Because they were late, all my pictures failed, so you guys will have to do with a picture of me and Louise, an exchange student from Sweden.



Next the Catlins!

Rock paintings, elephant rocks, Moeraki boulders - Twizel, Hampden, Moeraki [January 18 - 20]

On January 18th I left Twizel (stupid camping and really expensive -$15 per night-) and traveled back to the coast. I saw ancient Moari rock paintings, and a lot of eroded rocks.


Rock painting.


Description of the paintings.


Eroded sandstone, near the rock paintings.




Elephant rocks. Wind and rain were the creators.


A view alongside the road to the coast again. Lavender.


Me leaning against a Moeraki boulder. Eroded stones, lying on the beach like big marbles.


Moeraki Boulders.


The view from the camping in Hampden, where I camped two days at the astonishing rate of $ 8 per night. Most of the campers where Kiwi's who came to that camping for years in a row already.

Next - Dunedin!

Mount Cook + on my way to Twizel [January 17]

When I arrived at the Mount Cook park, rain was pissing down from the sky. So I settled myself in my car and started to read a book. Around 4 pm in the afternoon the sky started to break open and slowly the earth was warmth again by the sun. You can see this progress in the following pictures.





Mount Cook - still hiding.


Me in front of Mt. Cook. The summit hidden.

The summit visible at last!

Mister Hankey and Mt. Cook.

On my way to Twizel.

To be continued.

Lake Tekapo [January 15 - 17]

On Tuesday I left Christchurch -I traveled back there from Akaroa, to have a shorter trip the next day- to travel to Lake Tekapo via the scenic highway. What a magnificient views! And the color of the water... Unreal.

I stayed in Lake Tekapo an extra day. Camping out for the first time on my trip.

To be continued!

Akaroa - Swimming with Hector Dolphins! [January 13 - 15]

On Saturday I traveled to Akaroa, which is just beneath Christchurch. On Sunday I went swimming with Hector Dolphins, the rarest and smallest Dolphins in the world. It was mind blowing....


That is not me, but it gives you an idea how we swam.


Me, being really cold. That is hot tea I am drinking there.


One of the many caves alongside the shores of the harbor.


Hector Dolphins. They grow up to 1.20 meter.



Akaroa Bay.


View from the hostel...

More later...

Christchurch [January 7 - 12]

The plan was to buy a car in Christchurch. What a stress that resulted in. But I succeeded and am now the proud owner of Mister Hankey! :D


Church of Christchurch.






Tram in Christchurch.


Mister Hankey! :]

To be continued!

Crossing the Cook Street to the South Island & Kaikoura [January 5 - 7]

On January 5th I traveled from the North Island to the South Island by ferry, the Interislander.


First glimpses of the South Island.


The boat trip took 3 and a half hours. And I spend most of the time on deck, being mesmerised by the views...


One of the many bays of the Marlborough Sounds.


Then I took the train - the Tranzcoastal - to Kaikoura. A trip of just over 2 and a half hours. They had a carriage with no window panes. Perfect to take snapshots of the coastline.


And the weather also looked really promising.


Me on the train. A lot of wind!


The beach near Kaikoura. Black volcanic sand, like most New Zealand beaches.


The girls at the hostel where I stayed in Kaikoura. Fun, fun, fun!


The next day I went whale watching. This is a 15 meter Sperm Whale - blowing out his air.


The Royal Albatross - the biggest albatross in New Zealand.


Dusky Dolphins. Trust me - once you see them, you keep taking pictures. They were so much fun to watch. They are called the acrobats of the sea.


Isn't (s)he adorable?


There were at least 150 dolphins nearby, stunting in the water.


A furry seal that is way off-shore.


The tale of a Sperm Whale. Quite impressive and almost magical...


One of the signs in Kaikoura and on the street there was an image of a whale...

... and this was its tale. .

I am in Christchurch now. More about that later on!

I would love to know who views my blog - so if you do, could you post a comment to let me know? I would really appreciate that, and would know if I actually have to continue with this photo blog. :)