Day Ninety-Seven & Day Ninety-Eight

I've spoken so much of the range of scenery (at every turn-and believe me there are a lot of turns) that you  experience on the South Island.  This post in honor of that statement.  Starting at the top left and working left to right on each row, is the range from ONE DAY of our trip.

(See Day 93:  http://moecakesphotography.blogspot.com/2012/01/day-ninety-three.html)

Not sure how many times I can say it, but it was absolutely stunning.  It is a trip everyone should take in their lifetime.  Add it to your bucket list.  I feel so blessed that I can say I've been.

Side Note:

Monday consisted of travel.  Up at 3:30 at the airport by 4, to Sydney and then back to Jak.  We walked throughout the door at 9:30pm.  Because of this I have no picture of the day.  And if you are wondering why it is counting as 2 days...well, it can get a bit confusing at times, and it's boring technical details that occur due to living in Indo.  So, bear with me.  I figured, as there are actually 8 pictures in this one post, it is allowed.  Oh, and it's my rules, right?

Day Ninety-Six

Day Ninety-Six

Day 10 - New Zealand

After saying goodbye to Crystal and the "PS" camper, we took advantage of our last day in NZ by enjoying the perfect weather and wandering around the Botanic Gardens.  We were lucky to find a summer concert in full swing, so even had some great music as we roamed the park.  When I grabbed this shot I knew it was the perfect "365 NZ Time" wrap-up to one of the BEST VACATIONS EVER.

Day Ninety-Five

Day Ninety-Five

Day 9 - New Zealand

I know, another landscape, but it NEVER ENDS!

Day Ninety-Four

Day Ninety-Four

Day 8 - New Zealand

Buller Gorge Swingbridge is the longest swingbridge in New Zealand, as if I didn't have enough testing of my heights fear this trip.  Best part, zip lining back with the girls.  It was nothing compared to the walk across.

Day Ninety-Two

Day Ninety-Two

Day 6 - New Zealand

Yes, that is a glacier.  And no, we didn't follow the sign.

Day Ninety-One

Day Ninety-One

Day 5 - New Zealand

People sometimes talk of a bucket list, and the things that would go onto that list, if it actually existed.  Today I was actually able to check something off of my "list".  And it was no slight task, believe me.

Those close to me know my fear of heights.  This isn't a normal "fear"... it has truly taken me down more than once.  It's gotten worse with age, to the point that I froze at the top of St. Paul's Cathedral in London, started to cry at the top of a lighthouse on Belitung Island, and once even had to talk myself out of fainting while watching some kids climb up the back of bleachers at my old high school football stadium.  It's truly sad.

So, the fact that I actually jumped off the Kawarau bridge (the ORIGINAL site of the very first bungy) with my best friend, Crystal, is more than worthy of today's blog (and my bucket list).

I was very proud.  And later asked if I enjoyed it .... it was absolutely thrilling and freakin' awesome. 

Below is a collage of photos taken by AJ Hackett Bungy of our jump.  WHOOHOO!!!!

And to read more about the Kawarau Bridge Bungy:

http://www.bungy.co.nz/kawarau-bungy-centre/kawarau-bungy

Day Eighty-Nine

Day Eighty-Nine

Day 3 - New Zealand

As we drove from Mt. Cook to Lake Wanaka we couldn't help but notice (manmade) piles of rocks along the road through an area known as Lindis Pass.  (We later found out this is for no reason other than just that!)  It didn't take long for us to stop and make our own pile...it's kind of fun "knowing" that I may be back in Jakarta, but a little of us is still "piled" in NZ! 

Here is the group's final pile, autographs on the top rock and all.

And if you are wondering what we got to look at during our lunch "break" on the other side of the road looked like...here you go.  Just couldn't pass this one up.

Day Eighty-Eight

Day Eighty-Eight

Day 2 - New Zealand

What we were looking at as headed to Mt. Cook for a grocery store (which we didn't find)...but no matter - worth every minute.  Oh, I did I mention this was New Year's Eve?  What a way to end 2011.

Can't say so much for the view anyone from
BEHIND the photographer may have gotten i.e. Crystal/Jim :)

Day Eighty-Seven

Happy New Year!  I'm back!!!  Did you miss me?  Didn't get to keep up with updates (at all) for many reasons, mainly being internet wasn't quite as easy to come by as we expected, but also simply because my focus was elsewhere!  It was exactly as we had hoped, a trip of a lifetime.

I tried to keep in mind, when I captured "the picture of the day", so even if something "better" comes along as I go through them all, I am using what I originally planned.  Over the next week you will be able to visit moecakes.blogspot.com to take a look at the rest of the pictures of this amazing island.

And finally, I am determined to do as little post-editing as possible, to show you the true beauty and look of what we saw day in and day out.  Hope you enjoy looking at the pics as much as I enjoyed taking them...well, almost as much!

Day Eighty-Seven

Day 1 - New Zealand

The first thing that captures your eye when driving through the Canterbury Hills is the FIELDS of lupins that line the highways.  The colors are amazing ranging from purple, to blue, to magenta, to pale pinks and creams.  Who could resist pulling over to "stretch your legs" and play in the fields?  With a crisp breeze it was the perfect start to our road trip, and Moe was there to lead Cakes through the tall grass and blooms reminding Cakes the whole time, "don't worry Lily, there are NO snakes in NZ!"