Cook Islands

We've come to the end of our time in New Zealand and are now relaxing in the Cook Islands for a week (8 days actually because we have had two Saturdays!).  Not a lot to do here except enjoy the sun and sea.  We are staying in a beach front bungalow on a small complex on the beach with swimming pool, kayaks and snorkelling gear all on site.   There are only two other guests so very peaceful. 

We managed to tear ourselves away from the beach to hire a car and have driven round the Island - 32km - and David is very proud to have a Cook Islands Driving License.

Our bungalow on the beach

The Veranda

The Beach

Sunset

Dinner at a beachside restaurant

David's Driving License

Last day in New Zealand

Today is our last full day in New Zealand as we fly to the Cook Islands tomorrow.  We had a leisurely drive from Hanmer Springs to Christchurch enjoying the last of the fantastic scenery.  We have had an amazing seven weeks touring round this wonderful country and there are still many places we would like to visit.  We are sure to come back in the future.

Walk round Hanmer Springs

The gorge at Hanmer Springs

Another view of the Lewis Pass

Coffee Stop

Frog Rock - see cafe name

Nelson to Hanmer Springs

We had a long drive to Hanmer Springs today but it was a lovely day for driving - blue skies but not too hot.  We found a fabulous place for lunch but as soon as we left our campervan to eat our picnic we were surrounded by bees, wasps and New Zealand's biggest pest, the sandflies as once again we were in sandfly territory.  The Lewis Pass was like driving through the set for Lord of the Rings with great visibility and views.  Once in Hanmer Springs we made straight for the thermal pools which were great fun as well as relaxing.

Maruia Falls

Lunch Stop

The Lewis Pass

Lewis Pass

The Thermal Pools - temperature in the different pools ranging from 28 degrees in the swimming pool to 40 degrees in the sulphur pools and hot pools

Nelson

Spent today exploring Nelson.  After a wander round the shops in the morning we hired bikes from the Gentle Cycling Company and had a great afternoon cycling round the town - very few hills!  Had lunch in Founder's Heritage Park where David enjoyed some beer tasting.  Fascinating park made up of a number of heritage buildings with lots of interesting history on Nelson. 
After returning the bikes we drove round to Nelson Yacht Club to watch the start of the Wednesday evening racing, the penultimate race of the summer season!  Had a chat with the OD before returning to our campsite for supper. 

Sculpture to mark the 200th Anniversary of the Batter of Trafalgar

Entrance to Founder's Park

Church in Founder's Park

Beer Tasting

Cottage Hospital  Founder's Park

Japanese Garden  Nelson

South Street - preserved as it was 140 years ago

Queens Park

Seaman's Memorial near Nelson Yacht Club

Lining up for the start in perfect conditions

Motueka to Picton and back to Nelson

Time is running out and we are in our last few days in New Zealand. 

We wanted to see Picton so made the long drive there with stops on the way to look at more great views.  In Picton we visited the Edwin Fox museum, the Edwin Fox being the 9th longest surviving wooden ship in the world.  Other than look round Picton we didn't have time to do much else and today we made the return trip to Nelson.  Had a nice walk at the Pelorus Bridge and even considered a swim in the river.  Once in Nelson we visited the Museum of Wearable Art and Classic Cars which is full of quirky designs and old cars, some not so old.  We were particularly interested in the Triumph Spitfire having had one in our younger days.

View from Cullen Lookout above Havelock

Picton

The War Memorial Picton

Looking out to Queen Charlotte Sound

Hull of the Edwin Fox in dry dock

Inside the hull

The Pelorus River

Another swing bridge - yes it was trying to rain!

                                     

Classic cars - we weren't allowed to take photos of the wearable art unfortunately

Triumph Spitfire

Kayaking and walking in the Abel Tasman

Spent yesterday kayaking and walking in the Abel Tasman and what a great day (another one!). It was an early start for us though as the pick up was at 7.45 a.m.  We kayaked all morning hugging the steep sided coast and passing wonderful deserted beaches and stopping off for coffee in one for the small inlets flooded with the high spring tide.  We were then taken by water taxi for the start of our walk at Bark Bay.  After picnic lunch on the beach we walked the 7km track to Torrent Bay arriving in time for a swim before the water taxi took us back to the base.

The Kayaking

 The Walk from Bark Bay to Torrent Bay

Relaxing in the Campsite Spa afterwards