YHA Kakapo Lodge Hanmer Springs

... then, obviously, all downhill on the way back, making my knee sore. The waterfall was neat, but I've seen better, even back in Arkansas. It was enjoyable but nothing special.<br><br>After the hike we headed to Christchurch and spent that evening wandering around the city center, Cathedral Square. Chirstchurch is a cool city; we managed to get there in time for the last few days of its biennial Arts Festival ...

... here. The guy that told us about the waterfall said it would take about 2 hours - it took more like 3 hours. We haven't been able to hike as much as we thought, so its great when we get too. <br><br> <br><br>We rewarded ourselves by visiting the HOT SPRINGS! Oh, how wonderful they were. There were 20 different pools or something crazy like that. Whether it was the temp or the minerals found in the water, all the ...

... from a sandfly. We had a couple of beers, returned to the campsite for a dinner of yesterdays leftover sauce with peppers, mushrooms and pasta, had a quick go on the ludicrously expensive campsite internet and then finished watching "a time to kill" Sandflies - 6 Treansport: Campervan Wildlife: Weka Pukeko New Zealand Falcon Blackbacked gull Paradise Shelduck Pied Shag Australian Magpie Masked Lapwing Chaffinch Bellbird Fantail Blackswan

... paddock. We were told that sheep are basically stupid and if one sheep is led somewhere all the others follow, so as one sheep raced away, all the others around him followed. Here I am madly snapping pictures as the sheep run away. I cleared 2 paddocks in less than 30 seconds-maybe I should get a job as a sheep herder. It didn't help that Tim was shouting from the car-Run sheep Run! as I laughed hysterically. We are ...

... had pasta and pesto dinner some beer and a film before searching to find a layby to make home for the night. Thursday 25th September Very cold night last night, not much sleep so made an early start and headed straight for the thermal baths. http://www.hanmersprings.co.nz/ We were there for around 2 hours and went in most of the pools. It was so nice to be so ...

... up in the mountains. We also had a round of crazy golf and were able to conclude that we are both equally pants !!! Tomorrow it's on to Christchurch and meeting Wez again where we will have a couple of days before heading west across Arthur's Pass and then down that coast towards Milford Sound and Queenstown !!

... had some hot drinks and lemonade at one of the wineries. On route to Culverden, we were pleased to discover that a bakery would be opening soon, via a very helpful sign about 10km out of town. It was only when we realised we couldn't buy ANY bread at all that we realised why it would be such a good idea to advertise something not yet in existence. Lunch ...

... the other hand was loving every moment of the fresh crisp air, the sleet and the scenery. I was of course dressed up in my eskimo jacket! We arrived at Greymouth with my trusty LP guide, it highly recommended a restaurant in Greymouth and off we went in search of it. Why on earth would these buildings NOT have numbers??? We eventually found it and our search was proved worthy... we had a lovely lunch and made our way back to the train. I ...

... At Hanmer Springs spa there are many different pools offering a range of temperatures and minerals. It was great to be outside in the warm pools whilst breathing in the crisp, Autumn mountain air. Alongside the relaxation pools there's a fun pool with slides and fountains, very hot sulphur pools that smell particularly bad and a cooler lane ...

... I sat for a while and enjoyed two things I never seem to have enough of - Time and Silence. Up early the next morning for my Dolphin Encounter experience. After a full briefing I get kitted out in wetsuit, flippers and mask. I board the boat and it makes it way out into the open sea in search of Dusky Dolphins. These creatures are one of the smaller dolphins at only about 1.7 meters long. They are very social, congregate in ...