The Last Post

This is where we say goodbye to New Zealand (for now) and to this blog. We started this journal to keep our families and friends up-to-date with our adventures in Aotearoa and now our big OE (Overseas Experience) is over. We leave tomorrow morning at 5.50 am headed for Japan and then home to Bristol. We hope you have enjoyed reading our pointless mutterings and looking at our photos of this beautiful country. We'll miss our Kiwi mates and cherish the special memories we have of Pukekohe and our travels around New Zealand. Our hearts will always be here with Katie.

Pads & Yvo xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Akaroa

Us in Akaroa

Our last day go New Zealand and its a beauty.

Akaroa

Pingu Rocks

We saw this little family of penguins on the Otago Peninsula - Donna, Douglas and unnamed baby (we called him wee fluffy Dougie!). Donna had just been fishing and narrived back, after avoiding the seals on the beach, to up-chuck dinner for the littl'un. Nice! Hope the video works.

Moeraki Boulders

Moeraki Boulders

Fleur's Place

The seafood linguini is amazing.

Baldwin Street

The steepest street in the world. You wouldn't want to nip out for the paper every morning, I can tell you!

Otago Peninsula

Larnach Castle

P...p...p...pick up a Penguin

Spotted Shag Colony

Royal Albatross Colony

Dunedin

We've made it to Dunedin. Time for cakes, movies and burgers.

Otago Central Rail Trail

Looks like a good spot for lunch.

Otago Central Rail Trail

Taieri Valley

Otago Central Rail Trail

Otago Central Rail Trail

This is where we spent the night. A little remote, eh?

Otago Central Rail Trail

We've arrived at our stopover for the night. 49 kms, mostly uphill. Well done us!

Otago Central Rail Trail

Otago Central Rail Trail

Otago Central Rail Trail

Otago Central Rail Trail

Otago Central Rail Trail

Otago Central Rail Trail

If I jumped off a bridge, would you?

OMG - Paddy did a bungy jump! Off the Kawarau River Bridge - the original place for bungy jumping! Don't believe me? See the photos! I almost fainted.

Eglington Valley

Does it need blowing up?

Rush Hour

Anyone for quoits?

Paddy and I enjoyed an overnight cruise on Milford Sound. There weren't any quoits. Nor any shuffleboard. Shame. There was a guitar for anyone who felt game enough to entertain the troops but alas we didn't feel confident enough in our four chords.

The cruise was great - private cabins, 3 course meal and kayaking - a step up from what we expected as we received a surprising upgrade after our little boat konked out and we had to go on the bigger one. We had a rainy/cloudy evening that created spectacular waterfalls and eeriness followed by a sunny day that was just stunning. The main plus from the whole experience is that the pills given to me by the doc worked and there was no heaving overboard (see swimming with dolphins post).