Back in Auckland

Once we got back into Auckland, we had a few adventures to show Lisa in the city. The first one was the star dome, a beautiful show of the solar system followed by some star gazing. We got to see Venus and Saturn, including the rings, as well as the souther cross, the jewel box and a few other souther constellations. 

We also went out to rangitoto island for an afternoon walk around the trails and a beautiful, if wasp filled, picnic lunch. Having been stung recently (I stepped in a wasp while doing laundry, and was stung sitting out in the front deck), I opted to eat my lunch on the walk. I was not too keen on sitting around amongst the many wasps. The view was stunning, the geography graceful and overall it was an afternoon well spent. Lisa was into the caves and she took some awesome photographs. 

In addition to these adventures, Lisa and I spent some time at the zoo, went down to a little beach community to have lunch, ice cream and to sit watching the waves, we did a little bit of sight seeing and shopping along queen street, sampling more delicious food and took the time to get our nails done. We spent the last few days doing most of the "Auckland sights", but mostly just spending time together.

To finish off, a few photos of Lisa and I on the holiday, our first photos together since our last ugly Christmas sweater get together in December of 2013, just before I moved to New Zealand. I think Lisa will agree, it's a stunning country, and I was so happy to see her and have her visit for four weeks. My own little slice of Canada found amongst my bestest friend. 

One last adventure

In the darkness, we packed the car and piled in for the drive through to Queenstown. Lisa needed to be back early to go for her bungee jump and meet up with the bus that day so in the pitch dark we went across the winding roads. The light slowly began to creep up on the horizon and the shadows of night were replaced by those of the mountains. We arrived in town in time to drop Lisa off and say goodbye till she returned to Auckland a few days later. With a bit of time left, we decided to get the most of what remained and took the lift up the mountain. 

Much like Rotorua, there were Jelly-Belly art work on the walls which we enjoyed including a wonderful world map and the iconic lord of the rings motifs that can be found around the country.

Candy aside, the view outside was well worth the trip up. This was our last big view of the southern alps; of mountains, water, clouds, rivers, and the oh so familiar snow. This grandiose view of the Queenstown area was a nice way to say goodbye to the mountains before we headed back to the mountains and trees of steel and concrete that is Auckland.

We took a nice stroll through the snow, finding one last signpost to pose with before heading back down into the small tourist town. Again we were reminded just how far away from home we were, given that it was closer to get to the south pole than to Vancouver.

Our last destination was the beautiful Shotover where we had stayed our first evening. In snow and better sunlight, the gorge and surrounding area was even more beautiful than the first time. We lingered here as long as we could, not wanting the vacation to end.

Going back into town, we dropped the car off at the rental agency, headed to the airport and grabbed some delicious lunch of pizza, samosas, and some delicious homemade ice cream. We thought back on the last week and the spectacular sights we had seen, and were a bit sad it was all ending. Eventually our flight was called and we proceeded out to the tarmac and onto the plane. The takeoff was a bit unnerving for the poor stewardesses who were constantly having to tell several Korean tourists to sit down, buckle up, put their trays up. After a while they did eventually settle down and we could relax and look out the window.

Just as we thought our South Island trip was over, we were presented with a wonderful gift. The clouds lifted enough for us to see much of the mountain range as we headed northward. The snow-capped mountains rose high into the sky and even when the clouds got thicker, their peaks popped through into the blaring sunlight.

The landscape gave way to braided rivers and fjords, glacial lakes and glacier tongues running down the mountainsides. A whole host of geological wonders seen at a perspective that gives scale to their enormity. It was a pleasant surprise and a wonderful end to our trip.

Of rocks and snow

With the heater turned on, our small company of adventurers slowly roused from their warm sleeping bags. Upon opening the curtains to our doors we found the ground covered in small hail pellets. The chilly air which had earlier impeded our movement only quickened our pace as we packed and headed into town for a nice warm breakfast. We admired again the few beautiful old stone buildings we could see from the town centre and located a few fridge magnets and some souvenirs before we headed northward again to the Moeraki Boulders. We arrived at a sandy beach in the blazing sun, which helped to take the cold edge off of the wind. A short leisurely walk up the beach soon revealed the spectacle we had come to see. Immense spherical boulders, seemingly out of place on an otherwise predominantly sandy shore. 

Calcite in large crystals was found around the boulders and it was these crystals that held the clay, mud, and silt together, although not always visible. Chunks of rock that had split open were relatively abundant at this area and gave some indication as to the composition and construction of these oddities, including one which indicated that at least some of the boulders were actually hollow.

Some remained high and dry near the embankment while others were exposed to the waves and others still mostly buried. Upwards of fifty spheres are predicted to be either above or buried below the sand in this area.

The boulders ranged in size from half a meter to upwards of 3 metres in diameter. It was truly and astounding sight, and to add to the mystique of the whole experience, we later discovered from the interpretive centre that scientists understand the concept of how they could form, through nuclei rolling in the mud, and cementing, much like oolites, but exactly how they formed, why they formed, and why they are in this spot as they are is still unknown. Life can be full of surprises, and even with all the technology of today there are still mysteries in the visible world that we can't fully answer which is renews ones sense of wonder.

We wandered among the builders, dancing with the waves that kept us from standing too long next to the boulders. Still in awe, we headed up the embankment to the gift shop where we got another fridge magnet for the collection before heading back down the coast.

Our last stop was on the heavily wave swept beach near shag point. I still find it amazing just how many of the beaches are sandy here, compared to the rocky shores of home. We grabbed a snack within a grove of trees before saying goodbye once more to the ocean and headed back West towards Queenstown.

Sand dunes and waves behind us, we headed back to the mountains and paddocks. Gradually the mountaintops turned from a light dusting of white to full drifts of snow while leaving lower elevation areas still green and lush. Sheep and cows grazed in these fields while grey, cold skies continued to dust the high elevation areas with snow. We even stopped on the small shoulder of the road and were unable to move forward, having to let the car slide backwards back onto the very quiet road.

For a few homesick Canadians, this was magical to be in the snow again. The crisp, cool air and the beauty of the pure white blanket that was slowly encasing snow and brush up into the hillside. I know everyone back home was sick of the snow that fell over the Maritimes, but this was the first real snow I had seen in over two years and it filled me with a childish sense of glee at the very sight of it.

As the sun set, we headed through a town called Ranfurly with open flat plains of paddock and small forests which reminded me of the end scene in the movie Pale Rider. This enormous openness of the area, bordered by the huge snowy mountains left no question why people would choose to live here. The freedom and pureness of the landscape was inviting and cozy, a wonderful contrast to the busy city life where you rarely get the moment to sit and enjoy the tranquility.

Tired and definitely ready for food, we eventually made our way to Cromwell, another small alpine town situated on a beautiful lake. The rest stop on the way into town gave us a great view of the sunset and the sleepy little town. This would be our last night on the southern journey so we quietly enjoyed the last big views the three of us would have together, and what a gorgeous view it was!

We grabbed some Indian food for supper and then settled into our cabin which was equipped with a nice hot shower. Lisa, who was still scheduled for a few more days on her southern bus tour, spent most of the night repacking her bag. We also repacked given that we would be getting on the plane tomorrow to return to Auckland. Our wondrous trip was coming to a close.