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New Zealand, the big adventureNew Zealand, the big adventure
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New Zealand, the big adventure

February - March 2016
February - March 2016
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  • Yvonne Reinartz
    Day32

    Christchurch

     March 31, 2016 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    Tomorrow is my flight back to London and I can't believe that this is the end of my 4 week holiday in this absolutely stunning and wonderful country. I fell head over heels in love with it: the scenery, the people, the legends and stories of the Maori. Words can't describe how beautiful it is.

    I am so deeply grateful for all I've experienced, for all I've seen and all the people I've met and who made me feel so welcome. I'm never going to forget it and hopefully will be able to come back one day. Tena koutou! 💖Read more

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  • Yvonne Reinartz
    Day32

    Greymouth

     March 31, 2016 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 6 °C

    This is where I leave my trusty rental car and end my journey with a ride on the Tranz Alpine train to Christchurch. 🚃🗻

    My little car and I have driven 5,044 kilometers (some of them really adventurous) together. So happy it didn't break down 😆Bye bye car! 🚗

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  • Yvonne Reinartz
    Day31

    Fox Glacier

     March 30, 2016 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    Fox Glacier / Te Moeka o Tuawe is a 13-kilometre-long (8.1 mi) glacier located in Westland Tai Poutini National Park on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island. It was named in 1872 after a visit by the then Prime Minister of New Zealand, Sir William Fox. Following the passage of the Ngai Tahu Claims Settlement Act 1998, the name of the glacier was officially altered to Fox Glacier / Te Moeka o Tuawe.

    It was a bit of a steep climb to where you can see the glacier valley (I should be used to it by now) but so worth it. Very sad to think that due to global warming these majestic glaciers will one day not be there anymore. 😯🗻    Read more

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  • Yvonne Reinartz
    Day31

    Gillespies Beach

     March 30, 2016 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    Absolutely wild and untamed pebble beach 20 kms from Fox Glacier Village. A bit of adventurous driving to get there but so worth it. You can already hear and smell the ocean from the little car park. I haven't seen waves this big or powerful in quite some time. You can also see Mount Cook and the mountain range. Absolutely loved it! Just the right place to spend my 2nd last day in this wonderful country. 💖🌞🌊Read more

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  • Yvonne Reinartz
    Day30

    Lake Matheson

     March 29, 2016 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌙 13 °C

    Famous for mirror views of Aoraki/Mount Cook and Mount Tasman, Lake Matheson is nestled in ancient forest just 5 km from Fox Glacier Weheka.

    Lake Matheson was formed when Fox Glacier Te Moeka o Tuawe retreated from its last significant advance about 14 000 years ago.

    During the last major ice age, the glacier spread across the coastal plains towards the sea, dumping huge piles of rock. The glacier ground a depression which later filled with water, forming the lake.

    Lake Matheson’s excellent mirror-like reflecting properties are due to the dark brown colour of the water, the result of organic matter leached from the humus of the forest floor.

    "I felt my lungs inflate with the onrush of scenery - air, mountains, trees, people. I thought: This is what it is to be happy." Sylvia Plath (The Bell Jar)    Read more

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  • Yvonne Reinartz
    Day30

    Blue Pools

     March 29, 2016 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌙 13 °C

    On my way from Wanaka to Fox Glacier I drove on the scenic road over Haast Pass, the southern gateway to the West Coast, which is probably one of the most stunning that I have seen so far.

    The journey offers a variable landscape of rainforest, wetlands, lakes, glacier-fed rivers and white water rapids.

    I did the Blue Pools Walk, which has become world-renowned as a must-see highlight in this wilderness region. It features a carefully maintained gravel path and boardwalks that wind through a native silver beech forest and lead to a swing bridge strung high above the Makarora River. The views back to the mountains of the Main Divide are absolutely breathtaking.

    The track continues deep into the forest, with bellbird and tui calls echoing through the trees, to a series of crystal clear pools that have been carved out of the rocks by centuries of erosion.

    The glacier-fed water in these deep pools is the colour of deep azure blue, and so clear that you can see right to the bottom, making the resident brown trout look like they are suspended in the air.

    There are also lots of little rock/stone sculptures so I thought I add mine 😀🗿    Read more

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  • Yvonne Reinartz
    Day29

    Mount Iron

     March 28, 2016 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    Mount Iron is an impressive, glacier-carved, 240-metre rocky knoll. From its summit a great panorama unfolds: Lakes Wanaka and Hawea, the Cardrona and Upper Clutha Valleys and all the surrounding peaks; many of them in Mount Aspiring National Park in the west.

    I huffed and puffed my way up for the lovely 360 views and then nearly did another full ascent after getting slightly lost on the way down. Oops, definitely earned lunch today. 😆🗻

    Afterwards I relaxed by the Lake and read for a few hours which I haven't done at all since I'm in NZ. Was lovely to do nothing for a change.    Read more

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  • Yvonne Reinartz
    Day28

    Wanaka (That Wanaka Tree & Warbirds)

     March 27, 2016 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    This morning I got up early to photograph 'That Wanaka Tree'. It actually comes up like that on all maps and is probably the most photographed tree in New Zealand (apart from Tane Mahuta).

    Afterwards my Airbnb host Dan took me took the Warbirds Over Wanaka Airshow. I had a VIP pass (wahoo) and the best view of all the things happening.

    It was incredible to see the old war planes in action (Spitfires, Catalina, P40s, Yaks, Messerschmidts, Avengers etc) and to experience the skills of the pilots. These guys are seriously amazing. 🛫🚁😊    Read more

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  • Yvonne Reinartz
    Day27

    Paradise

     March 26, 2016 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    Before I drove to Wanaka, I decided to take the scenic route from Queenstown to Glenorchy. Once I arrived in Glenorchy I drove further to find a little place called Paradise. They say you need a 4x4 to drive there but I wanted to have a look myself and see how far I could get.

    Paradise is just that. There is no cafe, no shop, just an amazing settinf on Diamond Lake below Mount Earnslaw and Mount Alfred.

    No-one can say with certainty how Paradise got its name, though within the area of Paradise you have the ‘Rock of Eden’, Heavens Gate and you have to cross the River Jordan to get there. Some also say Paradise gets its name from the Paradise duck.

    Paradise is 20 kilometres from Glenorchy. 8 km is sealed road and the last 12 km is unsealed. Rolling farmland changes to beech forest as you enter the Mt Aspiring National Park and drive past Diamond Lake. See Arcadia House from the road. Arcadia is Greek for Paradise and this property was originally built by Patrick Fenn in 18 to attract his Fiancee to New Zealand. Further along the road you reach the Paradise Trust from a driveway to the left. Privately owned by the Paradise Trust, guests are welcome to walk the grounds and picnic and enjoy the area for a small fee. Paradise has a rich history and was one of the key excursions for early travelers to New Zealand.

    If you pass Paradise, the road continues on to the Chinamans Bluff and the start of the Dart track which is where I went.

    It certainly looks a lot like Paradise 😊.    Read more

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