Journey Around the Sun - Days 163 through 172 New Zealand Holiday

So I mentioned earlier that we had our best man's wedding coming up, I failed to mention that it was in New Zealand. So off to the Land of the Long white Cloud we went. We decided to make it a bit of a road trip and see some more of the South Island. We saw so much stunning scenery unfortunately some will just remain in our memory as sometimes it was just impossible to stop along the road or do the scene before us justice. But we had a wonderful time and explored some gorgeous regions.

Day One Hundred and Sixty Three

 Rainy start to the holiday at the Airport

Exploring my in-laws garden in Raumati on the Kapiti Coast

Day One Hundred and Sixty Four

We went out to Lindale, where you can buy delicious locally made cheeses, gourmet local ice-cream and there's a petting farm. My son loved feeding the animals and even gave a bottle to a little lamb.

 Then off to Raumati Beach from were you can see over to Kapiti island.

Day One Hundred and Sixty Five

We went on the Interislander Ferry from Wellington (North Island) to Picton (South Island). Considering it was summer it was overcast, raining lightly and freezing cold. But I still spent much of the trip outside on the deck taking photos. But ironically it was the photos I took through the old windows of the ferry that I liked the best. 

Day One Hundred and Sixty Six

Spent the day exploring Picton and the Vineyards in Blenheim and Renwick, part of Marlborough.

Found a little snail shell and I couldn't resist whipping out my extension tube.

The vineyards

Day One Hundred and Sixty Seven

On the road again. We were going to take an inland route over the mountains but the weather forecast was for poor weather and in fact they actually suffered flooding. So I'm glad we took the coastal route instead. We drove through Kaikoura then turned inland to drive through the hills to Hamner Springs, an area nestled in the valley of mountains that's renowned for it's thermal springs.

The coastline around Kaikoura is so beautifully rugged.

We had lunch overlooking the beach and the birds were very keen on our food.

The road through the hills was really windy but beautiful, with farms and wild flowers. 

When we got to the hotel in Hamner Springs and saw how beautiful the room and view was we had the most delicious and gourmet room service.

Day One Hundred and Sixty Eight

We had breakfast overlooking this beautiful garden with lavender.

We played a round of Mini Golf in Hamner Springs, so much fun! 

Then off on the road again to Akaroa. The drive involves a really steep mountain climb at the end, then back down into the bay. Akaroa was a French settlement, and it still has many french influences.

We had the most delicious dinner at a french restaurant called Ma Maison and the view across the bay was beautiful. The clouds on the hills were amazing, they looked like a woollen blanket.

Day One Hundred and Sixty Nine

It rained all day and my husband put his back out so we spent most of the day in our room which had a wood fired pot belly stove. Only to leave to visit the doctors for stronger pain relief for him. He recovered thankfully as the next day was the wedding.

In a break in the rain I found these rain drops caught in a spiders web.

Day One Hundred and Seventy

Morning Seagull

Said goodbye to Akaroa and off again for a drive to Rangiora, a rural area out of Christchurch, for a beautiful and enjoyable wedding. I put the camera away so I could enjoy the time.

Day One Hundred and Seventy One

We flew back to Wellington and visited Te Papa Museum.

Enjoying a Reserve Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc and the view of Wellington harbour from our hotel room.

Day One Hundred and Sixty Two

Last day in Wellington. We took the cable car to the botanical gardens. My son thought it was so much fun to ride in the cable car.