On our last full day in New Zealand (before a super early flight which lands before it depart, thanks to the international date line), we were awoken to a view of Mount Cook — finally! — after a late night of star gazing.  We drove slowly at first in order to stop and appreciate our last chance at the view… and then picked up the pace so that we could spend an evening in Christchurch.  A talented cover artist sung us out… not included in the video was that he sang John Denver’s “Jet Plane” at my request, as that was always our farewell song at Camp Ihduhapi, and seemed a fitting way to end the trip.  Farewell, New Zealand!  It’s been fun!

The bar/restaurant where we heard the singer was the OGB (Old Government Building).

Today, Laura and I hiked around Mount Cook National Park, where it was rainy.  But we wanted to go, so we braved the weather — and were rewarded with rainbows.  Also, rabbits and falcons.

Laura and I hike around the most beautiful lake I have ever seen — and I have been to Crater Lake and Lake Louise.  Also, I briefly get attacked by a giant bee and there are sheep.  Of course there are sheep.

This is probably the least interesting video we’ve made so far, as today was mostly an uneventful driving day, but it does feature a bungy jumper.

Today we took a cruise along Doubtful Sound, which I decided would make a good band name… so I declared myself to be that band.

We have relocated to Te Anau, where the internet is slower, so uploading this video went overnight.  To get here, we drove through the rain a lot and detoured to Milford Sound. But it was an amazing drive despite the weather. Then we went to see glow worms in cave, but weren’t allowed to take pictures, so I got creative in the video instead. Finally, we ended the day with some Tim Tams and Laura made a mess.

More information about the glow worm tour is here.  The puzzle which feature Quinn lip syncing (and also me and some other people) was called Temple of Macuilxochitl.  (It’s no longer solvable as it involves using information from a jukebox at a restaurant that hasn’t existed for over a decade.)

Laura and I use the map in our rented apartment to show off where we’ve been and where we’re going.  We also ride horses and see some eels.

The ranch where we rode the horses was The Cardrona.

Laura and I are traveling together again!  (Some may remember our Alaskan trip from a number of years ago — use the search in the side bar for Alaska minute if you don’t.)  We’re at it again on the other side of the world in New Zealand and we’re bringing back the Alaska Minute rebranded as the New Zealand Minute.  (Because filming an Alaska Minute in New Zealand would be weird.)  Here’s the first video of our hike up to Queenstown Hill (but that “hill” seemed a lot more like a mountain to us…).

Also, we’re dumping all of our photos here, for those who are into that (hi, Mom!).