Heading South
We're now in the South Island, but on the way we stopped off in Tongariro National Park. There's a walk here that is promoted as the best one day walk in New Zealand, so we had to do it natch. Jackie and her brother Andrew joined us as well, but Mike couldn't make it due to him having to empty a skip out (best not ask).
The day dawned, well, dark, dreary and wet - so no real change there. Our driver said it was safe to do the walk, but we wwouldn't see much. Well, we were there, so we felt obliged to give it a go. The driver was right, we didn't see much. It rained pretty much all of the way over the top, so we missed out on the fabulous crater views, and the impressive red col0urs of the volcano. Oh well.
After that we pretty much headed straight for Blenheim on the South Island. I persuaded Iona to take a wine tour by bike. She wasn't altogether keen, as she doesn't drink wine, but that changed by the end of the day.
We like the South Island. It's sunny! Cycling round the wine district was fab, as was sampling the many wines. Had lunch at one vineyard which had tremendous views, then on to more vineyards in the afternoon. Only a couple of them charged a minimal fee for tastings, so a lot of wine could be drunk for not much. Favourite was Forest Hills Estate: tasted 7 wines, all good.
Then it was on to Nelson and Abel Tasman National Park. Great walk along the coast there, and we love Nelson; a really chilled, relaxed town which also happens to be the sunniest town in NZ.
By the way, thanks to everyone who said hi, sent regards or love via Iona. Same back to you, in spades.
The day dawned, well, dark, dreary and wet - so no real change there. Our driver said it was safe to do the walk, but we wwouldn't see much. Well, we were there, so we felt obliged to give it a go. The driver was right, we didn't see much. It rained pretty much all of the way over the top, so we missed out on the fabulous crater views, and the impressive red col0urs of the volcano. Oh well.
After that we pretty much headed straight for Blenheim on the South Island. I persuaded Iona to take a wine tour by bike. She wasn't altogether keen, as she doesn't drink wine, but that changed by the end of the day.
We like the South Island. It's sunny! Cycling round the wine district was fab, as was sampling the many wines. Had lunch at one vineyard which had tremendous views, then on to more vineyards in the afternoon. Only a couple of them charged a minimal fee for tastings, so a lot of wine could be drunk for not much. Favourite was Forest Hills Estate: tasted 7 wines, all good.
Then it was on to Nelson and Abel Tasman National Park. Great walk along the coast there, and we love Nelson; a really chilled, relaxed town which also happens to be the sunniest town in NZ.
By the way, thanks to everyone who said hi, sent regards or love via Iona. Same back to you, in spades.
posted by Johnnie at Thursday, February 09, 2006
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