Monika & James' Travel

Monday, February 28, 2011

Stewart Island

Also known as the home of the gumboot (alias rubber boots) :-) Even though this is not technically true but given the high percentage of the (anyway small) population on this island being fishermen you do tend to see them everywhere, including in the local pub!

Stewart Island is basicaly the relatively unknown 'third' island of New Zealand and is found at the very bottom of the South Island across one of the most dangerous straits in the world, the Foveaux Strait. As James has once before in his life "survived" the ferry crossing across this strait to this island, this time it was a no-brainer and we opted to take the 15 minute flight instead.

View to the 'capital' of Stewart Island - Oban

More Tramping - no stopping us now :o) ...... this time it was a three day Tramp around a small corner of Stewart Island - there was a great 9 day Tramp too but, alas, we could not justify the time for this.

Caution! Kiwi crossing :-)

Please pay attention to the sign... ;-)

Given the remoteness and small number of people on Stewart Island, life tends to evolve around the local pub. We also made sure we was back in town, from our walk, for the infamous 'pub-quiz' which is held every Sunday evening. Having entered our team (comprising of us and two Dutchies) we sat back and observed as the 'Compere' hurled abuse at everything and everyone in the room as she, quite elegantly, barked out the questions... She is the one with the (heavily tatood) arms, thicker than James' legs, dressed in gothic black and propped up on the stall in the background of the pic below ;o)

Blue cod, Blue cod, Blue cod ... it's everywhere on Stewart Island! So, off we went for a day of line fishing with John (that James knew from his first visit to the island) in the bays around Stweart Island. It was sometimes like 'shooting fish in a barrel' but what we caught was filleted and cooked on the boat right under our noses. Amazing what other things decided to bite the bait too - just look at the small shark James has along with the 2 meter shark which was almost landed before it broke the line...

John and his small fishing boat

Saturday, February 26, 2011

The rugged beauty of the Catlins

Now the Catlins really are in the very South East corner of New Zealand and many tourists tend to bypass this area on their travels as it is a little off the 'beaten track'. Every local Kiwi we spoke to about the Catlins said they had heard it was lovely but actually had also not even seen it themselves as it was too far.

We are glad to say we made the effort to go and explore the area and we were absolutely rewarded. A very rugged, wild and quiet part of coastline. We have used this word before in the blog ... Stunning!!! :-)

Nugget Point

Beach view from Purakaunui Bay campsite in the Catlins

'Stumbled' across these penguins whilst rock climbing

"Mirror view" at Lake Wilkie

A happy couple at McLeans Falls :-)

Cathedral Caves

Another empty beach (think James scared everyone else off with his bird impression? ;-)

Curio Bay (petrified forest)

Wild coast in the Catlins

Monday, February 14, 2011

East Coast of South Island

Even though it is just the one highway hugging itself along the East Coast of the New Zealand's South Island, you will be amazed at the variety of nature and stunning sights around every single corner. Pictures speak for themselves! :-)