Another beautiful day in Nelson. Karen, today we were in the 80's.

Breafast at Shelbourne Villa's was granola, fruit, homemade yogurt, and the hot dish was Mediterranean tomatoes (canadian bacon and broiled tomatoes on bread with herbs and cheese - very tasty.)

After browsing the Saturday market, we drove to the last parking area before Abel Tasmin Park (sitting at the table in the b&b without my notes so can't name the town.) We had a delicious smoked seafood and avocado salad at The Park Cafe. Then, we boarded a boat that dropped us off at the stoppped called Appletree. From there we took an hour walk back to the restaurant, stopping on the way to take photos of waterfalls, ferns and turquoise blue ocean.

After wine and appetizers with Val and Wayne, the b&b owners, we went to The Boathouse Restaurant for .... steak. Well crab and steak and it was great.

Tomorrow, we head down the West coast to our next b&b. If NZ wasn't so far away, I think we'd move here!

More later and hopefully with pictures.

Donna:

NZ food sounds delicious! Can't wait to see the photos. Have fun,

Donna, I can't wait to see your pictures, too! Your dining experience for the day sounded so delicious! :yummy1:

Thanks Donna! Your post just moved our excitement level up another notch, if that's possible!

Enjoying your reports, Donna.

NZ is on our short list for 2009. Eager to hear more. Hopefully, some pix in the next installment.

Wishing you and Alan continued great times!

Aaahhhaaa - the LAMB reports have started. Sounds great Donna - thanks for checking in.

A New Zealand good morning to you all. We've just finished breakfast on the glass-enclosed conservatory at Kapitea Ridge which looks out onto the ocean. We are in Hokitika on the West coast.

Yesterday's trip took us from Nelson, through the countryside, mainly small hills with lots of farms, rivers and timber. We walked through an old railroad tunnel, viewed the blow holes at Punakaiki on the West coast and ended our day at this beautiful b&b. Our room has a balcony that overlooks the gardens with the sea beyond.

The common rooms at Kapitea are decorated in dramatic reds and blues. We had wine(reisling that wasn't too sweet - very good)and salmon canapes with Trixie, one of the owners out in the glass conservatory before driving into town for dinner. Cafe de Paris did not disappoint us. I had the lamb rump over pumpkin and a pinot noir made by the French owner of the restaurant. The food continues to be excellent. Our guide,
Robert, is turning us into "foodies" with his great selections of dining venues.

Sorry for no pictures in the posts. Internet is too slow to take the time for that. I am slowly starting my blog so you can check out photos of our first day in Nelson on the link below my name.

Karen, weather report just for you. Lovely sun until we reached the coast yesterday, where it was hazy and a little mist at Kapitea Ridge. This morning is bright and beautiful!

We're off to Franz Joseph. More later.

Donna honey, I so appreciate your weather reports, you are better than Al Roker!

Thanks, Donna. Enjoying the NZ lambmail.

Donna, sounds like you're off to such a great start enjoying gorgeous NZ !! Thanks for the weather updates!

Donna, I'm glad that you are enjoying NZ and had the time to explore before LAMB. You mentioned a guide. Does he go with you everywhere? I must have missed that.

Donna, thanks for bringing us along on your wonderful NZ pre-lamb trip.

Nancy

Donna: It's great to read your journal and see the first photos from NZ - what a beautiful place. Sounds like you've found a wonderful way to start your tour down under.

Will have our shorts close to the top of our luggage
just in case it will be warm enough for them on the 2nd. :D

After two days in Glacier country without any internet, I'm back posting.

We enjoyed our stay at Franz Joseph Glacier Country Retreat which seemed more like an inn than a bed and breakfast. The building is a copy of an historic hotel from the area and sits in the middle of a large farm framed by the mountains. Since we were the only guests on the first night, we were upgraded to a larger room. I peaked in some of the other rooms and in my opinion, the baths are too small. So, I was happy for the upgrade that included a large jacuzzi type tub.

Since there were only the three of us for dinner, we were served at the dining table in the lounge (living room) area. The sun streamed through the bay windows while we enjoyed venison, cajun chicken or risotto. For the first time on this trip, I had desert - strawberry cream brulee.

While here, we took walks to the edge of both glaciers plus Lake Matheson. Our walk to Fox Glacier was especially cold.

Last night we had more guests at the inn. It was fun to enjoy before dinner wine with visitors from Holland, Switzerland, Toronto and England. Many had been to Huka Lodge and gave it rave reviews. After dinner, we all met again in the lounge for coffee and after dinner sweets.

Today, on our drive down the West coast to Wanaka, we stopped for a walk at Monroe Beach. The hike took us through the rain forest and out onto a rugged beach. We were hoping to see some small penquins but weren't there at the right time. A lone "teenage" seal entertained us.

The ride from Haas was especially pretty and now we are at Wanaka Springs B&B. Once again, the room is nice and we enjoyed wine on the deck with many of the other guests (mostly British).

No time to post pics but I have posted the 2nd installment on my blog - more Nelson and Abel Tasman and it includes pictures.

Tomorrow we are taking a jet boat ride so more later, I'm tired (plus posting CUI and I'm not even cruising yet!).

Olivia, yes, Robert, our guide, goes "almost" everywhere with us. He has arranged all the lodging and meals so he stays where we do and we take our meals together, either at our accommodations or at restaurants that he picks out. By now, he's learned our tastes and chooses what he thinks we will like. He drives the car and escorts us on some of the activities and for the others, he makes the arrangements and delivers us and then picks us up. So far, we've liked all the choices that he has made for us. He is spot on.

Donna it all sounds wonderful. Thanks for taking us along with you (even if you are posting CUI)!

Donna - Thanks for giving us such a vivid description of your pre-cruise trip. It sounds wonderful. Alan's photos are simply wonderful on the blog site.

Enjoy the rest of your trip and say hello to all the LAMBs for us.

Cheers, Anne

Hi Donna and Alan:

You told us at lunch that you were going to have fun and it's obvious you are.

We're enjoying your Blog.

Cheers! Ray & Penny

Your trip sounds great, Donna!
We're headed to Rotorua & Huka Lodge this morning. Skies are rainy, so should be loads of fun driving. Don & I managed to NOT kill each other driving around Auckland yesterday. Maybe we'll see Betty in the lobby here at the Hyatt waiting for a room...hopefully her plane left without a hitch. Can't wait to see all you LAMBsters!

Your blog is really great, and Nelson pictures are fabulous!

I'm here at the Auckland Hyatt - room not ready - they charge for computers so probably won't be back on. Drive from airport is through residential area - very weird - lots of traffic. ANZ was very nice. Leg rest didn't work for me due to my long legs but I was comfortable and slept about 6 hours. Food same as biz class. Massage people all booked. Sure would feel good right now. Tour in the morning. Off to get another round of food and maybe a touch of vino that won't be free this time, then wait for room. They showed me where to walk into town this afternoon. Looks nice. See you all soon. Meet friend of Jim and Jan's on van. Her name also Jan and she is on the cruise.

Oh great Betty.
Glad you met Jan.
She is a Cruise Critic person and we have been going back and forth a little talking about the trip. Never met her before.

Betty, glad you arrived safely in Auckland.

Alan wants to be a jet boat driver when he grows up. On a windy day in Wanaka, we took the jet boat tour up the Matukituki River. The clouds obscured our views of Mt. Aspiring but what stupendous scenery. The wind whipped and the boat swerved from one side of the river to the other, barely skimming the surface. Of course Alan's favorites were the 360 degree stops. You have to hold on tight! We've had a great day on this combination, cultural, scenic, thrill ride.

It was hard deciding between a scenic flight to Milford Sound and staying in Wanaka for the boat ride. Since we have just been to Norway to see fjords, we opted for the jet boat. A good decision considering the strong winds. We're aleady planning "the 17 things I need to do when I come back to the South Island tour." Next time, we'll visit Doubtful Sound on a 2-day boat cruise.

Also had time to post photos of Punakaiki and Hokitika on the blog if you want to check them out.

I can't believe our land tour is almost over. Next up - Queenstown.

Michele & Don, and Betty, glad you have safely arrived and are ready to LAMB!

Donna & Alan, as usual, your reports, blog, and photos are wonderful. Thanks!!!

It's so exciting to hear from our little LAMBS! Land and Seamail are going to be terrific.

Happy travels to all of you,

Thank you Donna for your land reports! And thank you to the othere lambies for checking in !

What a wonderful day we had at the Huka Lodge! Don & I drove through the lush green countryside, enjoying the views all the way. It is so easy driving in New Zealand!!....making it especially fun to explore. We took the route via Rotorua & then returning via Highway 1 all the way back to Auckland. Ferns are so beautiful throughtout the floor of the pine forests. Sheep, cows, horses dot the landscape as the ranches span as far as the eye can see. We loved the drive to Huka Lodge near Taupo Lake. (Olivia, our drive from Auckland to Huka Lodge took about 3-l/2 hours & it was such a pretty drive!))

We had arranged, with the manager ahead of time, to spend a relaxing day at the lodge. He & his staff were so personable. We were met with open arms, a table set for us out on the terrace, ducks quacking, wine chilled, and the precious sound of the river (fast river) flowing into the rapids nearby. What an incredible setting!! (We have been trying to download our photos but it is a terribly slow Internet connection here at the hotel so have to wait until perhaps on the ship....not that it will be any better there.)

The common rooms have the color & feel of "the hunt" & of "having the best fishing in the world". What's added is the gourmet chef with all the trimmings & MANY exclusive opportunites to explore New Zealand. The food was wonderful in all respects. The wine was terrific. We enjoyed our simple bottle of Black Barn Chardonnay, New Zealand vintner. Anything & everything one could want plus spa services were personalized. There are approximately 20 guest rooms/suites all set along the river. Excursions are offered & transported by helicopter to do just about anything that is possible in New Zealand. I especially loved the fact that it is very VERY low key....very private & you only hear the river flowing by. Everyone dressed casually & meals are taken together as a "family" unless one really does want privacy. The wine cellar is set apart from the main lodge with a dining room & cozy fireplace in it. There are many outdoor fireplaces. We were able to visit the Owner's suite - completely set apart from the lodge. It reminded me a lot of Singita - plunge pool and all. We have photos of its "outdoor dining room" (chandeliers & all) along the river. So serene!

Today, we are back in Auckland & had the pleasure of running into dear Betty from Houston. We enjoyed meeting again - I had met her in Houston during the Katrina days. It was great seeing her & we'll all transfer to the Sky City Tower hotel to join the group tomorrow.

By the way, it's much cooler today in Auckland. Rainy, too. This evening the clouds have parted & the sailboats are out at cocktail hour. Such a great view!

Hi Michele, It's great reading about your time at Huka Lodge. All of it sounds so wonderful.

We are in Queenstown and have spent the day "watching" all the adventure - bungy jumping, luge riding and hang-gliding through the valley. We've had a great land tour but we're ready for our cruise to begin. It will be nice to unpack the suitcases for awhile. Plus, we're looking forward to seeing everyone.

I've posted another entry on the blog about our time at Franz Joseph Glacier: http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/Franz-Josef/blog-223953.html

I'm slowly but surely catching up.

Oh yes, tonight I had lamb steak at a small French restaurant called Solera vino. Delicious!

See you guys tomorrow.

Michele - the Huka Lodge sounds like a divine place to relax, beat any jetlag into submission and pace any activities as you like. As I was reading the description, I was thinking "Sounds like Singita .. sign me up!" We look forward to photos but don't stress. The slow internet connections make photo posting a real pain.

Donna - aren't the jet boat excursions great? NZ is supposed to be one of the best in the world. Good call opting for that over the flight.

Just think .. Mariner's just about ready to pick all of you up! Have a great remainder of your land stay in NZ.

Cheers, Anne

Happy hearing from you Chitlin'...you and Don know how to take it to the max! Sounds like an A-list pre-cruise. Keep the mail coming :hug:

I LOVE NZ. It is so perfect & so unspoiled.

Michele, Huke Lodge sounds so luxurious & peaceful. Glad you are enjoying yourselves.

Donna, we took our children to the South Island over Christmas, 2001 & did much of what you did. We hiked inn to inn In Able Tasmin Park for 4 days & did the Routebroun trek for another 4 days. Children did all the Queensland based activities you watched. Bungee jumping you will notice is mostly testerone poisoned young men under 30.

All Lambs are in for a special treat on their cruise. It is my favorite cruise of all time.

Here is a link to the lodge. It looks like a truly remarkable place.

WOW! Thanks Robert for the link. Nice to see how Michele and Don are "roughin' it" ;) before they sail on LAMB. :)

Thanks, Robert, for pulling up the link! (adding: Now come on over everyone & enjoy all of this with us!)

Here we go, here are some of our Huka Lodge photos.


Scene from the terrace where we had lunch.


This is on the path to the Owner's Suite.


Ahhh! The outdoor dining room of the Owner's Suite (by the river).


A cozy dining room for private group.


The Main Salon.


Last, but certainly not least, the duck on the right tried to have my big toe for lunch! The duck & I ended up in a tug-of-war for my toe, all of this happening under the table...it caused quite a ruckus. I had mercy on the duck so she is still enjoying her life at Huka Lodge while I "enjoy" my black & blue "duck toe".

Michele - great photos. What a fabulous place!

Our LCT flock of lambs should have "mostly" arrived by now. In a few hours, we'll be on the way to Auckland, too. It's a bit cool and cloudy in Queenstown today.

I'm still writing away. Here's the blog entry to Fox Glacier:
http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/Fox-Glacier/blog-224070.html

Michele, lovely pictures. I hope your toe gets better soon. I'm sure everyone is getting very excited for LAMB.

Nancy

Thanks for the great photos, Michele!
Funny, about the duck! Take care of that toe. We don't want you to have foot issues on this trip! ;)

Donna, read your blog. Interesting pix!! Thanks!

I think I am almost as excited for you LAMBies to be on board the Mariner, as you are!!!!

Michelle--great photos! It looks like the weather is better than it was when we were there last year (you aren't bundled up in jackets and gloves). Also take care of those feet--no repeats of last January!! Keep the mail coming.