The Flying Kiwi (May 1-8)

Last week we were on an 8 day tour of the west coast of the south island with the flying kiwi. We really didn't know what to expect but it turned out to be a great time. The tour is geared towards a "wilderness expedition" and accomodation is mostly camping (although many people upgraded to dorms as the weather was quite cold....sometimes close to 2-3 degrees overnight...or so we think). Bren and I toughed it out and camped every night. We caught the bus on Monday afternoon in Queenstown and found out quickly that all the people on the bus had been together for at least 8 days and some for close to 20 days and Bren, myself and another Canadian were the only three new people on board. Everyone was very friendly and quick to welcome us on board. There were people from the US, Barbados, Ireland, Switzerland, Germany, Scotland, England so it was an interesting mix of people. Most were in their 20's but some were in their 30's and 40's. We were usually up and on the road by 8:30am...not really too much driving everyday but lots of stops for pictures and hikes and lunch and cafe stops...etc. We did two major optional activities on the tour (hiking on Fox Glacier and kayaking through Abel Tasman National Park). Both very cool experiences....see photos below!
Overall, the weather was AMAZING!! It didn't rain once for the whole 8 days which is so lucky b/c the west coast is apparently a very wet and rainy area in New Zealand. It was really nice to be with the same group of people for a week and really get to know them...all those still in Wellington last night all met up and went out for a couple of drinks and to this bar to see a local band who were AMAZING!!! Beat boxing, hiphop beat, great melodies with a sax and bongo drums....just really cool! So we are in Wellington tonight and getting our rental car tomorrow morning for the next 10 days to tour the north island. We are lucky to have our first stop in Carterton where my mom's cousins daughter (Kim) lives with her husband and three kids. We will go there tomorrow afternoon for dinner and stay the night. Looking forward to catching up with them!

Sorry these photos are not in order but the computer is not working very well. Just wanted you to note that this last photo is the real and true colour of the river...if you can believe it. It is glacier fed and was so blue!