Photo of Views From Arthurs Pass

Photo of Sail Boats in Akaroa

Photo of Waikuku Beach

Photo of 3 Babes at Waikuku Beach

Photo fo View From Campervan in Akaroa,Banks Peninsula

Photo of The Lovely Hokulani

SMELL THE ROSES

The sun was shining through a canopy of limbs and leaves, casting playful shadows on the road to Lewis Pass. A thick forest of moss covered trees lined the roadway, sometimes so lush and thick it was like passing through a tunnel of trees. Wild Lupine in yellow, pink and purple, were in full bloom along the roadway. Ribbons of water weaved through the orange lichen covered rocks that lay in the wide river bed. It felt as though we were driving through a painting and the artist was picking up colors from a pallet and artfully dabbing them in just the right places. As we made our decent toward Hanmer Springs, the scenery opened up to a wide river valley flanked by hillsides carpeted with yellow blooms. Arriving in Hanmer Springs, the weather was better than “fine” it was fantastic! The sky was blue with a few fluffy clouds, and the temperature was a balmy 80+ degrees. Perfect for a day at the pools! The main attraction in Hanmer Springs is a beautiful Thermal Reserve. The resort is beautifully landscaped with gardens and large boulders forming many inviting pools of varying temperatures. Enormous redwood trees outline the perimeter, providing shade and a home for a variety of song birds. After a nice single track mountain bike ride, we slipped into the steaming pools of mineral rich waters. I enjoyed a wonderful massage, and then back to the pools for another soak, before heading off to dinner. Enjoying the springs and the summer like weather, we ended up spending 4 nights in Hanmer Springs. It was positively heavenly!

Having time for some more do-overs, Johnny decided he would like to see Cape Farewell again. We drove back up to Golden Bay, spent the night in Takaka where we had dinner and enjoyed an excellent English film called “Queen of Sheba's Pearls”. Takaka looks much different today than it did a month ago. The roses are in full bloom and they are everywhere! Crawling up trellises, dripping from archways, and even growing up the side of building with nothing but asphalt at its roots. The sweet fragrance filled the air as we walked through town.

Making our way up to Cape Farewell, once again, we hiked down to the beautiful beach, enjoying the magnificent caves and rock formations. Driving back down past the lovely Golden and Tasman Bays, we spent the night in Havelock and enjoyed a Guinness at the Scottish Pub. Cheers!

Heading south down the east coast, we stopped along the coast near Kiakora, where we watched a large pod of Dusky Dolphin feeding. There must have been 50 of them. One frisky feller was showing off jumping straight out of the water. Making his way down the beach, we counted him jump more than 30 times in row. It was quite an enjoyable show.

Waikuku Beach is a beautiful beach just north of Christchurch. Not the typical tourist holiday park, this was a camping spot where local families camped on the weekends and holiday. The park was filled with caravans, tents, children everywhere, riding bikes, and enjoying the playground, while their parents were happily sipping a cold one, firing up the BBQ and having a laugh with their mates. We were thoroughly entertained by the site of a little red headed toddler, maybe 1 ½ - 2 years old who was climbing the latter and laughing as she slid down the slide all by herself. Occasionally her brother would come by and play with her, but for the most part, unsupervised and having a ball. When he father did come by to put her in the swing, he pulled it up as high as it would go and she squealed with excitement. Meanwhile on the beach, three little girls, about 7 years old, stripped off their clothes down to their undies and ran into the freezing cold ocean to play in the waves. Not a parent in sight, just 3 buddies having a fun afternoon at the beach. It reminded us of our childhood days when things were much more laid back where child raising was concerned.

Our next stop was Akaroa on the Banks Peninsula. A picturesque French town, with charming Victorian houses, white picket fences, and beautiful gardens. By now the roses are in bloom everywhere we go, and Akaroa was no exception. We had a nice time wandering through the town. It was a cool, windy day, and it was fun to watch a regatta of Sail boats coming about one after the next. Since the weather was not particularly fine, we decided to head back to Hanmer Springs, to see if we could find some more of that lovely sunshine and soak in the pools again. It was delightful!

It is now Tuesday November 15th and our Camper Van is due back in Christchurch by 4:00 in the afternoon. I spent the morning packing and organizing, while Johnny rode his bike. Arriving in Christchurch, Johnny dropped me off at the Bed and Breakfast with the luggage, returned the Camper Van, and rode the bicycle back into the city. By time he arrived a couple of hours later, I had the Bicycle sold to the owner of the Bed and Breakfast! Cheers! Now we can enjoy the next 3 days enjoying the city.

This is our first experience at a Bed and Breakfast, and I have to admit that it is wonderful! We are staying at the “Orari” a lovely turn of the century home. The location is perfect. Directly across the street from the beautiful new art museum, the arts center with galleries, Beautiful Hagley Park with Botanic Gardens, and the pretty Avon River running through the park and into the city center. Although the camper van was very comfortable and we loved every minute of it, it is nice to have the luxury of a little extra personal space. Our fantastic journey is coming to a close, however I am trying not to think about it right now. Just enjoying the last few days of holiday bliss.