All is Well in Wellington

Boy do I have lots of splaining to do! We are now in Wellington, on the Southeast coast of the north island of NZ. Sydney's home away from home. We arrived here last evening by ferry from the south island on a boat that was more like a cruise ship than any ferry I have been on, but it was a smooth 3 hour ride out of the sound and around some bends for an hour, open ocean for an hour and then into the harbor for the last hour. All during sunset and quite spectacular with dolphins playing their role on cue some yummy french fries and hot cappuccino to wash it down. Unfortunately I have been indulging in hot chips frequently and will have to wean when I come home.

Prior to our crossing, we had spent the day in Marlboroough, not spelled right?, on bikes for 2 days wining and whining and dining through the vineyards in the valleys of Blenheim. Stayed at a really lovely B&B and visited about 8 vineyards altogether. It was a lot of fun, I think we all became quite discerning and even found some new faves.

Prio to that, we were soaking in some natural sulphur hot spring rock pools at a Japanese spa to get rid of my aches and pains from hiking the Franz Josef glacier in the south. It was an amazing hike through some bush and some river rock bed up to the ice and then we donned the crampons and cramped on. Beautiful. I don't think I am ready for Everest yet, but eating a ripe peach sitting atop a glacier in the hot sun is a nice way to spend a moment. We headed further south before heading back to our base home in Hokitika to see sunset at a beautiful lake known for its mirror images. Magnificent view, hard to walk!
Hokitika, on the west coast of the south island, the home of Sam's maternal grandmother< Maida, being our base for a 3 days as we explored this tropical paradise. Hard to describe the black glossy sand on the beach and the pounding surf of the ocean that smooths out the abundant driftwood into the most artful shapes and churns up the stones so soft and shiny they look like jewels...oh wait, I just did. Sometimes there is so much driftwood you have to clear a path to the water, but it is not likely that you will swim in this water more than a few times a year as it is really rough and known to eat men. Naturally my man went in! Maida's house is on the beach and she has beautiful gardens and is a born south islander from a farm family whose husband was the only surgeon for miles around. She is also an original feminist and on the board of everything, so she has lore and stories galore. Very interesting woman and her hospitality matched her charm and her intillect in all modern style. Amazing.
Prior to Hokitika we were in Christchurch, spending one rainy day in a museum, one beautiful day in Akaroa, a lovely harbor over the mountains, and eating a lot of lamb, mussels and cheese.
Have I mentioned the sheep or the dairy cows? There are a few here!
So I think we are all caught up for now.