Since we were hosting two sets of friends visiting the South Island, we flew from New Plymouth to Queenstown instead of going across the Cook Strait with our car. We rented a car for 6 weeks instead. We weren't sure if our car could hold us and our luggage so PAUPAU stayed in the storage shed. 🚙
As we left New Plymouth, we got a great view of Mt Taranaki above the clouds. ⛰️
The views into Queenstown were not too bad either. 📸
Dave and Les arrived from the US on Valentine's Day so we had to get them some treats. We started our journey in Arrowtown which was a lovely small town away from the fray in Queenstown. ❤️
Our plan was to explore parts of the South Island for their 6 day visit. 🗺️
We booked an overnight cruise in Doubtful Sound and went on the journey to get there. It included 2.5 hour drive to the lake, 1 hour ferry across the lake, and 1 hour bus over the pass to get to the boat in the sound. 🧭
The ferry across Lake Manapouri was a bit breezy. I started on the deck but had to move inside. Steve and Les toughed it out on the deck. 💨
We then took the bus over Wilmot Pass to get to the boat. 🚌
We boarded the boat in Doubtful Sound and the scenery was spectacular. 👀
Steve and I got to kayak while Dave and Les took a nature cruise on a smaller boat. ⚓️
We also got to take a dip but it is video only (too big to post here). 💦
The bottlenose dolphins came to play 🐬
We drove back to Queenstown and saw a red deer farm. 🦌
The roses were still in bloom. 💐
One more night in scenic Arrowtown. 📸
We drove across the island to Christchurch. 🚙
We met Cherry at a bookstore in Geraldine along the way. 🐶
Lovely dinner and lunch (with pneumatic tubes!) in Christchurch. 😋
Les and Steve tried out the Dance-O-Mat (even though it was no longer there). 🕺🏻💃
We got up early to see the sunrise in New Brighton Beach. 🌅
Loved this knitting tee! 🧶
We took a walking tour of murals in Christchurch (Focus Post coming soon).
We punted on the Avon River in Christchurch. 📸
We checked out The Arts Centre and the current sculpture was pretty cool. 🤙
Quick trip to Lyttelton ...
... and checked out the port. 👀
Beautiful (and windy) Governors Bay. 📸
Waved to a few sheep on our way back to the city. 🐑
Dipped my toes in the Pacific and watched the after work surfers at Sumner Beach. 🏄♂️
Les saw this so it seemed like a good ending to our visit before they left for the North Island for more adventures. Thanks for making the trip friends! 🥂
