New Zealand: the south

After a few months in Fiji and Cook Islands it is back into civilization again; New Zealand, the land of Lord of the Rings, that means incredible scenery; And of the relaxed kiwis, not the fruits and birds (see picture of weka attacking kiwi),

but the people that say "mate", "cheers", "darling" and "sweet" and "awesome" in every sentence. but also the country of too many tourists and dito booked out accommodation and tours. And too complain even more, the kiwis are also keen on procedures, rules and regulations, which you know, I do not really like.The funniest rule was wearing a helmet on a bike (NZD 70 fine), the funniest procedure was how to get out of a kayak to get lunch. This included a sequence of which kayak to go first (oh I hate guided tours) and we had to wear a annoying hot red jacket too; And the funniest regulation was not to stop walking on a path because of falling rock danger.

But, on a more positive site (and the positives dominate definitively), we travelled around in Katja's Eddy (Subaru Legacy) and enjoyed the scenery in the most positive way. For me the highlight were (of course) the pinguins, seals and dolphins; and yes, I snorkelled with the seals and dolphins (pinguins are too shy), making my "snorkelling with any kind of animal" list becoming very complete.
Here you will see my top favourite snorkelling companions (after manatees):

I jumped into some seal colonies and was able to play around with them, or better they with me, swimming around me and looking into my mask. The dolphins were also cool, but a little bit moer shy. The most incredible moment was when seals swam around me and at the same moment two dusky dolphins jumped by!! Here is one:

We also saw Hector dolphins, the smallest dolphin in the world and too small and fast to make pictures off.

And in the pictures below you will see all the three pinguin brands NZ offers (I think): the blue, yellow and crested pinguin (with the yellow eyebrows)

And then the incredible colours; Mountains are very green, waters are very blue and sheep very white. Espec. The Catlins and Abel Tasman have top landscapes.

Favourite activities were a day of kayaking in Doubtful sound, the fjordlands of NZ, white water rafting in a grade 5 and sledging (body boarding) in a grade 4.

And not so fitting in this story, but part of reality: A girl was sexually assaulted and attacked just 10 meter from us in a toliet on a camp site. CSI NZ spent two days gathering evidendence, before a local guy was caught. Even in a very safe country these things happen.

So now it is off to the North Island. I will keep you posted.