Looking back when we can’t go forward – second time around.

John at photobyjohnbo is this week’s Len’s Artists Challenge host and says:

‘Considering the current world situation, I decided to focus my challenge to your sharing images from your previous travels rather than asking you to go out to photograph new examples to share.’

On 2nd May we are supposed to be flying to Christchurch where we planned to hire a camper and spend two weeks exploring the Nelson/Marlborough region of our South Island. We’ve traveled a bit down south but never spent any time in this area.

However, New Zealand is still in lock down and even if the COVID 19 Alert Level is lowered, travel restrictions are likely to stay so we have postponed our trip till (fingers crossed) October.

The road follows the wild coast line

Our last trip to the South Island was in 2013. Can’t believe it’s been so long. We hired a camper in Christchurch, (see a theme here?) crossed the Southern Alps at Lewis Pass and toured the West Coast from the top of the road, Kohaihai to the bottom, Jackson Bay.

Driftwood sculpture at the seaside town of Hokitika, home of the Wildfoods Festival where you can eat everything from shellfish to possums or crickets.

We mostly stayed at Department of Conservation camp sites. They are in the most beautiful places, are low cost and outside of high summer are almost empty.

Million dollar view from the camper.

We visited all the popular tourist spots too. Punakaiki (Pancake Rocks) is amazing, the sea rumbles under your feet like a snoring dragon and hisses spray up through blow holes.

A shag having a cleanup at Punakaiki.

At Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers we raced the rain but it caught us up at the Fox. We still did the walk, it’s only water after all. They’re receding alarmingly quickly and the walks to the face of the glaciers are getting longer.

 

The walk to Franz Josef Glacier gets longer as the glacier recedes.

The West Coast is the wettest place in NZ. Abundant rain feeds lush rain forest, lakes and rivers and mist softens the view.

This way to Jackson Bay

But pop over the Haast Pass and the scenery and climate change dramatically. It’s dry in the shadow of the Southern Alps and beautiful in a whole new way.

Big sky country in Central Otago.

The air is clear and even in early autumn, snow lingers. It can be the hottest and the coldest part of the country.

You get a great view of Wanaka (the lake and the town) from Iron Mountain.

With borders closed all around the world, it’s a good opportunity to explore our own back yards, isn’t it. I can’t wait!

Thank you John for the challenge and the opportunity to share my stunning back yard.

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