QUEENSLAND AREA...

Queensland is known for being the hub of action/adventure tourism--bungi jumping was invented here!  One can do many other unfathomable feats there as well, hang-glide, skydive, base jump~you can also bounce down a mountain side in a huge inflated ball that looks like a hamster wheel... We didn't opt for that ride.  We just stopped through on our way to Milford Sound.  But what isn't usually spoken of is just how beautiful Queenstown is... If one is going to bunji/base jump, hang glide, skydive, hamster wheel mountain roll--it could be a more beautiful landscape to free fall through...

FRANZ JOSEF AND FOX GLACIERS...

Heading south from Arthur's pass, Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers were next on the itinerary.  Quite close to each other, both of these glaciers are thought to be between 15,000 and 20,000 years old!! It was interesting to see the unique ecosystems that thrived off of these glaciers, not only do they provide the main water source for the flora, fauna, and surrounding communities, and shape the landscape, but the little towns of Franz Josef and Fox exist only, it seems, from the benefits of tourism that these glaciers provide.  We took a hike around Fox Glacier which was beautiful lush rainforest existing from the glacial run off.  There was a seriou creek crossing that was stumping all those that entered of how to get across, so Terry threw huge boulders into the water until a bridge formed...

ARTHUR'S PASS...

After Kaikoura, we headed south along the east coast.  Due to rain and the future forecast, we decided to go west across Arthur's Pass, which is the pass with the highest elevation in the South Island of New Zealand. The South Island is bifurcated into Eastern and Western halves by the Southern Alps, and so we were beginning our first crossing... Once we entered the area of Arthur's Pass the landscape really opened up to reveal a backdrop characteristic of South Island--a vast and open landscape with extreme vertical rock faces rising far above the bush line into alpine peaks topped with glacial patches--vastly different from the North Island.  We got in some great hikes, not without some huffing and puffing... Absolutley beautiful!!!
As for the photos, all are from hikes.  Took a short hike down to a creek that runs into a cave, next a serious climb to see a waterfall from glacial run-off, next day an even more serious climb to an alpine lodge way above the bush line, and a hike in the lush forest straight out of Lord of the Rings.  One little bird we became enamoured with was sure that Terry had food to give and was holding out, pecked at his shoe...The cutest little mushrooms I've ever discovered--little yellow ones are tiny alpine mushrooms I found above the bush line and the red with white dots was near our campground...  took those photos for Rachel and Jamaica.  Jamaica, maybe those photos could inspire some of your hand-embroidered cards!  Check out Jamaica's hand-embroidered cards on Etsy--www.squeebeaux.etsy.com!!!

WHALES AND DOLPHINS IN KAIKOURA...

Kaikoura is mainly known for its whale and dolphin activity (not to mention the seals), due to the very unique ocean topography of the coast.  Not far off of the coastline, the depth drops off pretty severely which creates a unique feeding environment for whales, sperm whales in particular.  It is truly awe-inspiring, words cannot describe really, to be that close to one of the largest mammals in the world. One is only able to view a sperm whale on the surface of the water during the 10 or so minutes that they come up to breathe after a period of 1-2 hours of diving~amazing!!! I tried to capture the classic whale blow hole event.  I took so many photos trying to capture one good shot--I spared you, believe me.  We were also graced with a huge school of dusky dolphins, known as the acrobats of the ocean.  I should have taken video instead of fruitlessly trying to capture a photo of the magic we witnessed.

KAIKOURA AND AROUND...

Next, we headed south from Marlborough to Kaikoura preparing for some whale watching, but more on that later... The coast driving into Kaikoura was absolutely amazing.  The sunset that night was spectacular--Terry got some really good shots of it... We also took some shots the next morning before our whale watching trip.  A nice walk around the unique rocky coastline allowed us to sneak up on some seals that were sunbathing after a good morning feeding, I suppose...