Abel Tasman National Park in South Island

Swing Bridge on Abel Tasman Tramp
Originally uploaded by for the birds1

Oct 17---Crossed to South Island on ferry. Made dolphin watch tour to Motuara Island sanctuary. Closest to any dolphin we came was a fur seal. Island had friendly South Island robins. We got rained out on way back to Picton. Rip-off.
Arrived at primitive hostel at Old Macdonald's farm in dark---very dark; we had to find our own shed in rain. We never did find the outdoor toilets!
Oct 18---were supposed to have all-day kayaking in Abel Tasman National Park, but we missed the boat. Instead we had a wonderful hike along the coast after being dropped off by water taxi for part of trail.

Wellington area

Wellington from top of cable car track
Originally uploaded by for the birds1

Oct 14: Stopped at Mt. Bruce Bird Sanctuary to feed Kaka. Dinner at the Tin Hut, and sleep at Longwood House.
Oct. 15-16: Wellington and environs, a great city to visit. Karori Sanctuary was exceptional and home to shags, North Island Robins, and many Tui, fantails, bellbirds, saddlebacks,...Botanical gardens were hillish, with an orienteeringly unacceptable map. Lots of restaurants and museums, and the public library looked like Border's.

Tongariro Crossing

Middle ascent
Originally uploaded by for the birds1

Tues. Oct 13: Winter conditions, got forced to join a guided group with iceaxes. Went off on our own after lunch to finish the Crossing. Whiteout conditions at the top (photos misleading, no point taking any until a few seconds of clearing). 12 mlles, 900 m. climb. Made it in 8 hrs.

Volcanic and geo-thermal areas near Rotorua

Champagne pool, Waiotapu
Originally uploaded by for the birds1

Oct. 11: Arrived in Waitomo to see glow-worm cave; Ruakuri Tunnel hike. On to Rotorua for Maori Hangi feast, complete with warrior dance and fine dining. Dwight served as honorary chief of our tourist tribe.

Oct. 12: Hiked Waimangu Volcanic valley and Wai-O-tapu with many geothermal features, including the amazing Champagne pool. Tomorrow is the big 11 mile Tongariro Crossing hike. We've been forced to hire a guide because of recent snow and ice. They'll supply ice axes and crampons. More pix to follow, if we survive.

Tiritiri Matangi Island

Takahe
Originally uploaded by for the birds1

Mammal free wildlife preserve, all rats poisoned. Humans allowed by permit only. Sat Oct. 10, 2009. An amazing place---click on pic to see more.

Pukeko!

Pukeko!
Originally uploaded by for the birds1

Aaauck! We're in Auckland. Lots of Awkward birds. Click foto to see more.

Praying Mantis

Praying Mantis
Originally uploaded by for the birds1

I'm praying to get the hang of posting pictures from Flickr before we leave on Wednesday for New Zealand...if you want to view more photos, you'll have to view the photostream. (???)