Update:

Our trip has ended before it really started! Last post we were stuck at Fraser Lake on Sunday, 8/10, waiting and hoping for a mobile tech to come and get our slide back in. Finally on Monday, 8/11, Burt Garcia came to our rescue. He was finally able to get it to retract, after much […]

ALASKA 2025

As if 2 weeks in a camper van on the South Island of New Zealand wasn’t enough – we just started a 6 week trip to Alaska in our RV. Finally getting over the pandemic travel pause, we are determined to make up for lost time. The plan is to drive straight to Stewart, BC […]

Last few days in New Zealnd

April 13, 2025: Our last stop in New Zealand was at the Rose Cottage Airbnb in Karaka, about 25 miles from Auckland. Three nights, two full days, 4/12-4/15. We decided to take it easy and visited the Glenbrook Vintage Railway in nearby Waiuku on 4/13 and a nice leisurely drive to Maraetai on the east […]

Glow Worms

4/12/25: Only in New Zealand, a fungus gnat produces a blue-green bioluminescence – hence the Glowworms. While they can be found at many locations, there is an awesome display in the glow worm caves in Waitomo.

Rail carts through the “Forgotten World”

4/11/25: The Forgotten World Adventures – This was a highlight of the trip – the Stratford-Okahukura Rail Line (142km) has 24 tunnels and 90 bridges and we were able to experience it from a rail cart (a converted golf cart). the route goes through remote locations and back country towns. There were many stops along […]

Northward Bound

4/10/25: Leaving Wellington, we headed north to our next destination, River Rock Air B&B at 22 Whakaraparapa (yes, that’s the name of the street!) in Kakahi. but before we got there, we discovered Steam Incorporated – they restore and maintain the heritage railway. No trains were running that day, but we were able to tour […]

Picton to Wellington

4/7-9/25: Picton is a little, typical seaside town, a bit touristy but still cute. We spent a day there after arriving on the train, before taking the ferry to Wellington on the North Island.

Christchurch to Picton

4/6/25: We took the Coastal Pacific Train from Christchurch to Picton, at the northern tip of the South Island – a beautiful ride along the coast.

Christchurch

4/5/25: After returning the camper about 1 pm, we decided to do a quick tour of Christchurch by taking the Hop-On-Hop-Off trolly. Ended the day at Paddy McNaughton’s Irish Pub. Note the eclectic decor… the art work is hung on the ceiling, and there are some creative seating options!

Arthur’s Pass

4/4/25: We headed back to Christchurch via Arthur’s Pass. In Otira, a roadside attraction caught our attention, so we had to stop – an ogre and a very eclectic store/cafe. We continued on to Otira Gorge: We stopped in the town of Arthur’s Pass to see the Millennium Falls and Glasgow Bridge. Stopped at Bealey […]