FROM CAMPING DRAMAS TO THE BEST OF THE MALBOROUGH

Well well well…what can we say…time has gotten away from us. We have been busy little campers since our last update…sorry for those of you refreshing your emails every hour or so waiting for the next exciting instalment from our adventures here in NZ.

We’ve experienced quite a bit of natural diversity and a fun range of activities in the Northern tip of the South Island over the last week and a half. On a deeper level, we have managed to stop DP from using the phrase “killing time” and neatly replaced this with “enjoying each others’ company”. We have also discovered that two sleeping bags CAN be zipped together to form “the honeymoon suite”.

It is amazing how much can be done when you are 100% focused on having fun…the “chapter-summary” includes the following exciting episodes. For full details and a bore-you-silly photo collection, see DP and give him half an opportunity to start talking…We have:

• Experienced the jaw-dropping beauty of Kaikoura (literally meaning: “Eat crayfish”, which we did from a very low-key BBQ a few km out of town) with its snow capped mountains meeting the ocean in quite the dramatic vista.
• At the same BBQ, discovered we don’t enjoy paua fritters…
• Found our inner ‘David Attenborough’, filming and observing seals in the wild. Actually, make that from a tourist friendly car-park in Kaikoura…turns out they aren’t all that hard to spot.
• Became true converts of the feral camping lifestyle…no shower in the van + continuation of ironman training = some seriously cold swims in Nelson Lakes National Parks (a lake made of melted snow, literally our only option…)
• Loved loved loved the AB demolition of France, and continue to despair over that damn Aussie/Ireland match!
• Hiked our way North to South through the stunning Abel Tasman National Park. Some incredible beaches and really ‘roughing it’…carrying ALL our own food for 4 days (for those of you who have fed us, you’ll know what a feat that is!), as well as a tent and sleeping bags. Needless to say, clean clothes took a back seat. (Actually, to be fair, DP carried everything and I went along with quite the manageable daypack!)
• In the Abel Tasman, ticked off the bucket list: Cooking our dinner and camping overnight on a deserted beach...waking up with sunshine, a very brisk swim and overlooking a marine reserve with seal pups popping up to say hello!
• Found we have quite a liking for the Marlborough Chardonnays and Sauvignon Blancs. We have also discovered that David has a very generous uncle who is prepared to store whatever wine we decide to send home – thanks Al!
• Continued the heated debate about the oh-so-technical blog we are running. Featuring Gavin “can you send me the link again” Hodder; Faith “I love your Blob” Hodder; David “Blog or Globs” Pointon and Janet “internet?” Pointon…

Love,

Mr. and Mrs. P

Jaw-dropping beauty of Nelson Lakes National Park...

Post hike reflection at Lake Rotoiti...Yes, we swam in that lake!

Yep - you can see how hard we had to work to find seals in Kaikoura (taken from the Van while eating freshly BBQ-ed cray - YUM!)

Dramatic coastline between Kaikoura and Picton

So many great views on the A.T. walk

Rugged views - Awaroa on the A.T, walk

Bucket list...tick!

That water is cold...

....reeeeaaaallly cold!

Check out the size of DP's pack!

Just another stunning beach on the A.T. walk

Getting a bit arty with all this time on our hands...

Tent with a view - early morning sunrise

WEEK 2 - DIVERSITY OF CANTERBURY

Our second update comes from a camp site in Hanmer Springs. In summary we’re having a ball, NZ has blown us away with the incredible amount of diverse geographies / environments that we’ve experienced in the last week and we’ve both fully embraced camping life!

Since the last update we’ve:

• Said goodbye to Whare Kea lodge in Wanaka (such a sensational area…)
• Visited Aoraki / Mt Cook national park – unreal scenery and thankfully we had clear skies to soak up the spectacular mountain peak views
• Continued to be amazed by how the landscape can change so dramatically – ranging on the drive from Aoraki / Mt Cook to Christchurch to include glaciers, snow capped peaks, volcanic harsh rock and dry grasses, almost unbelievable aqua coloured lakes, pine forests and ending with the brightest fertile green pastures
• Picked up our new home – it’s like a delivery van with a few camper friendly additions. We suspect it gets picked on in the camping site by flash “motorhomes” (as it is VERY basic)… but we love it!
• Stayed the night in Christchurch with our old college buddy Israel and his lovely family
• Headed across to the Banks Peninsula (via Lyttelton). Had not heard about this region but Zoe discovered it and it was a pot of gold. This is the only French colony in NZ (random with a hilarious history!) and we really enjoyed runs through remote forest and mountain roads, and beers with VERY local ABs supporters for the game vs Japan. No comment re the Wallabies vs Ireland match
• Arrived at Hanmer Springs – camping tonight on the edge of a pine forest having enjoyed a feast of Banks Peninsula cheeses, Marlborough vino and a typical camping style BBQ 

Lots of love to everyone back at home.

Mr & Mrs P

Wanaka region - view 1

Quick pitt stop for salmon sashimi that was only hours out of the water

Views as we approached Aoraki / Mt Cook national park

Looking down the valley from our room window towards Aoraki / Mt Cook. Amazing beauty with the Tasman Glacier, icebergs on the lake, 22 peaks above 3,000m etc etc

Spring is bringing out great sunny weather, wild flowers and lots of baby farm animals!

Our new way of life! 

Looking over the Banks Peninsula

Getting into the camping way of life!

Wanaka region - view 2

Wanaka region - view 3

LIVING LARGE AND A LONG OVERDUE HONEYMOON

Loving the "Queeny" airport views...

Week one has been packed full of fun and quite a bit of luxury too! 
DP says this is because if our honeymoon was just going around in a camper to watch the rugby (after TEN YEARS no less) then he'd "pay for it later on in life..." Maybe true but I think he just wanted an excuse to live large in Wanaka. Which we have been doing a pretty good job of since arriving last week. 
As our college mate Philthy Phil would say...we are most definitely Living the Dream at the moment! Hence the name of the blog.  You might wonder why two technically-challenged and social media novices like us would take such a radical step as trying to keep in touch whilst on the road. Fair point...DP did just ask me "how do you spell blog?" We are however keen to capture a few experiences along the way, keep our mothers from worrying, and brag like crazy to our mates back home. So if you want to come along on the ride then subscribe to this blog and bring on the epic honeymoon adventures.


We'd love to hear what you are all up to as well - and let us know if you are in NZ and are keen to catch up as we make our way around this fabulous country.


Highlights have been many but have to mention:

• Skiing 'TC' with unbelievable lake and mountain views
• Having a private masseuse set up in our lodge with snow cap mountain views, followed by toasting marshmellows under the night sky 
• Getting right into the RWC...marvelling at the kiwi enthusiasm for all things rugby, screaming for the ABs at a local pub in Wanaka, getting relieved by the Wallabies 2nd half performance vs Italy and wishing like crazy Wales would "hold on" vs S. Africa... damn! 
• Amazing home cooked meals (with Cardrona lamb and local pinot!) and incredible hospitality of Ann and Blythe at Waiorau homestead
• Running the amazing millenium track around Lake Wanaka through scampering wild rabbits, one-day old lambs, incredible national park with to-die for views and not another person in sight (note for our coach Dani - it was INSANELY hilly!!!)
• Soaking in the hot tub of the incredible Whare Kea lodge, which we have to ourselves, with our very own chef and waitress...7 courses that rival any Sydney place we've been to, local wines, our own fireplace and candle lit dinner...AMAZING!!!

Sunny spring skiing at Cardrona - how about that view?

LOVING IT!!!!

We had most runs to ourselves given it was late in the season!

Treble Cone views... enjoying fresh snow and lake views

      

Baby lambs on our driveway

Bit of RWC strategising...

Outdoor hot tub with a view

Just insanely relaxing here!

Whare Kea lodge - all to ourselves!

Course 6 of 7...melt in your mouth lamb with local pinot and the chef's home grown roasted vegetables....

It's all a bit much for DP

The view from where I write this blog...did I mention how amazing this lodge is??

Bit more NZ scenery...Treble Cone road

Till next time and love to you all,

Mr and Mrs P