New Zealand

We haven't planned on stopping in New Zealand on this trip, because it was the beginning of winter and we had been cold enough in other places along the way. Now we are so glad we went . We have heard lots about it, sometimes also that it looks a little like Slovenia. Well only a little. But in reality there is so much more. We have never seen the grass so green, its fluorescent green! And that's winter :)  The scenery is fantastic, glaciers, volcanos, sunken valleys, fjords...and the people are freindly and laid-back. We hope to get back for longer in spring time when the days are longer and warmer. It's an outdoor paradise.

the symbol of NZ

 Auckland is built on volcanic craters

 our french friends Claire and Antoine welcomed us

 and we had a great day with David(who visited NZ and stayed) in Piha and Muriwai

road trip again, picnic in Hamilton gardens

 Luka the Maori :))

 jump for joy

Huka Falls

 our cute Escape campervan

 had Elan but no snow

 for all Lord of the Rings fans (including Katja) we went to Mordor

 Isengard Gardens

 and Rivendell

 Wellington

 crossing the Cook Strait (from North to South Island) and the Marlborough Sounds

wine tasting at the Neudorf winery, Nelson region

 Takaka Hill

Wharariki beach at Farewell Spit at the top of South island

 

 baby seals were curious about us

Hey what's that?

 got some food for us?

yup lots of these around

 if the going gets tough, bom šla pa ovce past

 a little chilli in the morning at Nelson Lakes

 but nice view

 Pancake rocks on the West Coast

Franz Josef Glacier comes almost to the rainforest

 Haast region

 

the Southern Alps

 Kiwi way of calling snow

 no, not reading a newspaper, having fish & chips

 Wanaka

 no comment

our new backpack, we´ve been traveling for a long time:) 

 Queenstown

 Mt. Cook

 Sir Edmund Hillary, New Zealander who was first to climb Mt. Everest

.

 Astro Cafe at Lake Tekapo

 sunset in Akaroa

 Banks Peninsula

Escape campervan for next time :)