Thorough Exploration Of New Zealand
February & March, 2012
On our longer backpacking trip in 2009 and 2010, we briefly visited New Zealand, for a week, and really enjoyed it. We also have good friends who live north of Auckland. So, as a grand finale for our trip, we decided to stop over again in New Zealand, this time for a longer period. We first visited our friends on the North Island, staying on their milk farm, where Jess enjoyed playing with their baby while I helped (or hindered) milking the cows. Then we flew to the South Island and spent three weeks circling all along the coast, from the Catlins to the Fjordlands, on up the wild western coast and back around again to Christchurch. Along the way, we had our fill of remote campgrounds, incredible hiking, fascinating people, and boxes of wine, the only alcohol we could afford. Of all of NZ's attributes, though, the Kiwis we met are the best parts of the country for sure.