South Island Highlights: West Coast.

Pancake Rocks We stopped at Punakaiki for the short walk to see the sea spouting through the blowholes in the Pancake Rocks. (The photo always came just too late to catch the spray at its height).

Glaciers Franz Joseph glacier

We stayed at Franz Joseph Glacier village, and joined in a dramatic guided climb up among the crevasses. The guide had to cut steps in the ice on the tricky parts.

Lake Matheson

Brilliant sunshine the next morning had us up early to capture the famous reflections of Mt. Cook and Mt. Tasman in Lake Matheson, and then on to see Fox Glacier.

Fox Glacier

Haast

There were several short excursions along the way, including this scary swing-bridge to the 'Blue Pools'. We turned inland at Haast, after braving the sand-flies on the beach there.

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South Island Highlights: Fiordland.

Doubtful Sound

The trip started by boat across Lake Manapouri, then transferred to coach across the Wilmot Pass, then on to a larger boat out around Doubtful Sound. The clouds gave it a brooding atmospheric feeling.

The dolphins gave a great display, but were too fast for the camera.

On the return, the coach took a diversion for a tour around the underground power station - a very tight fit in the tunnels.

Lake Manapouri The next day, we walked through the moss and ferns of the 'wetlands' to the lake. Alec looking across Shallow Bay towards the lake, (braving the sandflies again)

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South Island Highlights: Mount Cook.

Hooker Valley From Mt.Cook village, we had to cross more swing-bridges on the walk up Hooker Valley. The glacier lakes show how rapidly the glaciers are retreating.

It was hard work up the steep rocky climb from the valley, to Sealy Tarn. But as it was up above the snow-line, it was frozen, and we still only got tantalising glimpses of Mt.Cook.

Looking back across Lake Pukaki, Mt.Cook is still hiding in the clouds.

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South Island Highlights: Banks Peninsular.

Akaroa The Banks peninsular is a compact volcanic area, south-east of Christchurch. The recommended scenic route around it is along the'Summit Road', but we found ourselves on a very narrow precipitous unsurfaced farm track before we reached the tourist route.		Akaroa harbour, from Summit Road
	The walks are well-signed, but hilly.	Pacific Ocean - next stop America.

South Island Highlights: Arthurs Pass.

Mt.Rolleston from Arthurs Pass	A beautiful day for the drive up to Arthurs Pass. We stayed in the small village at the top, but hadn't realised how cold it would be. We took the short walk to the Devils Punchbowl falls, but had to be very careful as rocks were icy.
Alecs graffiti in the frost.	On the way back, the walk up the Bealey Spur track gave extensive views of the route up to the pass.

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