Montreal - The Final New City
So we arrived in Montreal and made our way to the AirBnB, again a lovely place this time all to our selves. Montreal even on first arrival felt more liveable than Toronto or Ottawa, and a lot more European. This had much to do with all of the signage being in French, but the biggest was the Architec...
Ottawa - Canada's Capital
So we wanted to see Canada's capital, on our way through from Toronto to Montreal. We had planned to drive, but as we didn't have a credit card with us, the Canadian hire companies wouldn't hire us a car (worth noting for other trips). We therefore booked a train. VIA was the rail provider, and it w...
Toronto
We landed just after midnight and quickly made it to our hotel, where we had a lovely surprise. We had forgotten that we had put a comment on our Booking.com booking saying that we were recently engaged, so if there was anything they could do to make our stay special, it would be greatly appreciated...
Aurora Borealis - Yellowknife
One thing we wanted to make sure we saw, whilst in Canada were the Aurora Borealis (the Northern Lights). Before leaving Revelstoke, Frankie spent a long time trying to piece together, reviews, weather reports, and magnetic activity forecasts (I'm even sure she checked all horoscopes) to work out th...
24 Hours in Banff
So everyone we have spoken to about Canada and skiing mentioned Banff. So as not to leave Canada without checking it out, we scheduled a 24 hour stop over there to take in as much as we could, to make sure we had not made a mistake with our choice of ski resort and if it was the most beautiful place...
The end of the Skiing!!
So we haven't posted in a while, as we didn't want you all to get bored with all of the ski chat. In the last 4 weeks, we have spent 25 days up at the ski hill. We were amazed at how even after 25 days, the resort still felt fun, and is forever changing with the weather. We said goodbye to Dan and J...
Arrival in Canada and the Start of a Month of Skiing
After a 12 hour flight (very impressed with Air New Zealand), we landed in Vancouver. We made a swift baggage claim and exit, even after being quizzed why we were staying so long with no work plans from the border security staff. We jumped in a cab and headed to the hotel. The cab driver had great c...
Family time in Aukland
After handing back the campervan on Friday, we have been chauffeured, entertained, wine - dined, hosted & guided around Auckland by the wonderful Ian and Nikki Draper. The cherry on top of it all, was being able to celebrate with family our happy news when Mathew and Denise joined us on Saturday for...
Coromandel Coastline walk - and so much more!!
Up early again to make the most of the of trek that day, we set off on the 18km loop though yet more stunning landscape that held it's own against the others enjoyed to date. Our efforts in the frequent steep climbs were rewarded by breathtaking views and when lucky, cool breezes or cloud that held...
Cathedral Cove & drive up to Corromandel
We braved the busy Cathedral Cove walking track, overtaking many a tramping novice in our efforts. The beach was beautiful but too busy for our liking, so we escaped up the road to Otama Beach where the 'person/m2 of sand' ratio was much more to our liking! After snoozing, reading, and several cycle...
Lazy day in Cooks Beach and surrounds
As titled, we treated ourselves to a lazy day around the area, making the most of the beautiful beaches and conveniences in Whitianga and the campsite at Flaxmill. I managed my first front flip off the public pontoon, relieved I could practice in a completely empty beach with Joe's coaching:-)
Gold Mine Tramping & Hot Water Beach
With a new appreciation for the cool south island, we were up early to make the most of the morning before the heat set in. We headed up to the Te Aroha Mountain Gold Mining Walking Tracks for a stroll which ended up being more challenging than expected. Still, was great to walk along the tracks and...
Maori Village & Chill
We left Tongarino early to make the most of our day before the heat would become overwhelming. Arriving at the Maori Village of Whakarewarewa in time for the first tour and performance of the day was a real treat, and everything we had hoped it to be. Guided by a Tūhourangi Ngāti Wāhiao gentlemen, w...
Tongariro Crossing
Up and out early for our 8am shuttle service, we were relieved to hear that due to a local running race around the crater (crazy) the famous crossing should be quieter today. Result! Though still the busiest we have seen NZ full-stop, most people on the walk were courteous in being overtaken or set...
Drive to Whakapapa
Feeling a touch worse for wear first thing, we set off after a lie-in and made our long way up to Whakapapa (with a few tea breaks along the way). We then treated ourselves to a lazy afternoon, and though Joe had a little explore, I opted to make some serious headway in my current book:-) We finishe...
Navigating the north and south divide
Poor day for photographs, but lovely all the same. We caught the 10:30 ferry from Picton across to Wellington, and effectively stayed in a parking lot in central Wellington to allow us to make the most of town. We educated ourselves at the Te Papa Tongarewa (New Zealand's national museum) for most o...
Marlborough wine afternoon
We had quite a relaxed morning in Abel and then set off, only to finish our audible story on the way to Marlborough - The Whale Rider. It probably is a children's book so be warned, but we both really enjoyed it and given the setting and our new cultural insight, it really fit the bill. We managed t...
Waka and walk
Given the easy access to Abel Tasman National park, we decided to stay in our campsite a second night so we could maximise the day. We headed to Kaiteriteri for a morning session of yoga before joining Waka Abel Tasman for a cultural sight-sea-ing journey. Highly recommended experience providing mor...
Canyonismo!
A full day of excitement, off to a great start by the numerous vintage tractors in use throughout Marahau. After travelling by boat (on road - pulled by tractor - and on sea), we arrived at Anchorage Bay for a hot walk up to the top of Torrent River. After a quick bite to eat supplied by Abel Tasman...
Mapua and surrounds
Waking up this morning to sunshine and no bugs was AMAZING, so we had treated ourselves to a laid back morning complete with admin, bacon & egg rolls and some late new years resolution action (Joe only for this - I have now avoid the demoralising NY resolution fitness goals given past iterative fail...
A Long Drive Franz Joseph to Mapau
A misty start to the day meant there was no real possibility of exploring glaciers, so we drove to Hokitika instead and had a delightful breakfast. We then continued on a most scenic drive through glacier country up the west of NZ's South Island (with plenty of breaks) and across to Mapua. We were r...
Copland on the Way Down
After an early start to escape the snores of fellow "Welcome Hut's-men", we stiffly headed down the trail only to realise we desperately needed to sooth our aching muscles. A couple of stops in the glacial waters to decompress did the trick, as the painful cold water numbed the soreness. Once back a...
Copland Track On the way Up
We rose early to the sound of knocking on our camper-van window, by a lovely ranger, given we had failed to show our "tickeroonie" on the windscreen notifying him that we had paid online. Due to the infestation of sand-flies that ensued, we decided to head to the start of the walking track in the ho...
Our first full day of sunshine
Our first full day of sunshine and what a place to have it! Cheeky coffee and almond croissant from the bakery walk-able from our glorious campsite (yep another) and we were off to our NZ Via Ferrata. Wild Wire (company who have set this up and manage it) and our guide Ben were exceptional and we ha...
Scenic drive, pubs and horse riding
We grabbed a coffee, some fresh fruit and honey from Cromwell on route to Wanaka and arrived late morning. After sussing our what was available and doing some trip admin, we made our way our to Cadrona for some horse riding! Back Country Saddle Expeditions were a great laid-back set up, with trek ho...
Otago Peninsula with its exceedingly accessible wildlife
After a decadent late start complete with egg & bacon sarnies in the sun on our deck chairs, we set off to explore more of the Otago peninsula. Having reshuffled the plans around, we decided this would be our only day there so we were keen to see some of it's highlights. We visited Victory beach whe...
Catlin River - Wisp Epic Hike
Epic walk day totalling 29km (40,000 steps) through Catlin's seemingly enchanted forest with plenty of moss covered trees, rapids and suspension bridges to keep us entertained. Though it was supposed to be a loop, the logging activities affected out plans by closing off tracks. However, we more than...
Milford Sound Then on to the Catlins
We rose early for 45min nip around Cascade Creek (walk immediately adjacent to campsite). Then drove up to Milford sound, which we decided we really shouldn’t miss and staying so close made is super easy. We didn’t bother with any of the cruises on the water as we loved our time in Doubtful Sound, s...
Kayaking Doubtful Sound and Key Summit
Awesome day. Up at the crack of dawn (6) and joined the GoOrange team at the docks of Manapouri. A scenic ferry & bus ride then delivered us to Deep Cove, where we kayaked along Doubtful Sound. After what felt like far too short a time on water, we returned via the same route to Manapouri. We then...
First of the NZ camper-vanning experience
After an exceptionally scenic drive along the Te Anau-Mossburn Highway (94), we arrived at Manapouri Moterhome and Holiday Park complete with immaculate lawn and trimmed hedges (no pun intended). We are glad to report the our camper is more van than motor-home which makes it much better to drive. Hu...
Queenstown - where we could have stayed for out whole time in NZ
We absolutely loved Queenstown - as everyone told us we would. We managed to sneak in quite a bit in our short stay and are left with thinking we may have "peaked" too early. Still, adventure calls. Also, seeing as we spent the last few weeks wine & dining in Melbourne, alternated with copious amoun...
Leaving Aus - Stage 2 - Goodbyes and Mac love
The amazing Tom and Beth let us stay in their beautiful flat in St Kilda for the last month to take the pressure off moving out. The only catch being Mac - who put our dog-sitting skills to the test:-) After a tricky start (understatement) and learning that 'the ball is king' we soon all became grea...
Leaving Aus - Stage 1 - Move Out
Boxes all packed up in Abbotsford, with furniture & car all sold (sniff sniff). Lots of memories and milestones reached in our time here but looking forward to the chapter ahead:-)