For the past month, I have had the extreme good fortune to travel around the North and South Islands of New Zealand. The stress of working at the South Pole has faded away and though I miss the friends I made there and still get extremely excited to see animals, I have mostly transitioned and adapted back to life in the real world.
While in New Zealand, friends and family alike have come to visit and together we've driven over 3400 kilometers, hiked 55+ miles, tooled around cities, bungy jumped, kayaked, soaked in thermal hot pools, ventured behind waterfalls, cooked delicious meals, taken lots of pictures and just simply enjoyed each others company. Yesterday I flew to Australia, my 6th continent, to see what sort of shenanigans I can get into here.
New Zealand wouldn't be New Zealand without lots and lots of sheep
Golden Bay with Portland friends who flew over for a couple of weeks
My favorite beach in New Zealand, Wharariki Beach
Adorable seal pups frolicking in the tide pools
I can't remember smiling so much!
Kayaking Abel Tasman in the South Island of New Zealand
As the tide goes out, boats become land-locked...
...and so do islands
Hiking the Copland Track to some thermal pools started out with the removal of our shoes for a rushing river crossing
Many long and high bridge crossings awaited us on the Copland Track
My favorite lunch spot in all of New Zealand I think
Hiking the Milford Sound track
Tramping through the valley
Three Portland friends on an amazing adventure
Luckily, we saw a couple of blue ducks! Sadly they are an endangered species
Mackinnon Pass on the Milford Sound Track
Lovely reflective pool
Milford Sound and the end of the track
The Familia, the best of rental cars
Auckland on the North Island (as seen from Devonport)
Girls night out to a fancy dinner in Auckland
My grandmother and aunt are traveling with me for 3 weeks!
Idyllic setting on the Coromandel Peninsula on the North Island
View from our bach (kiwi for guest house) on the Coromandel Peninsula
Cooking with the ladies since we had a kitchen
A walk to the waters edge turned into a muddy adventure
New Zealand noise makers, bugs that can be heard all over the North and South Islands
Some photos courtesy of Bob and Josh. Thanks you guys!
