Big Trip Bob @ Chris

Christchurch

2009-02-23T20:50:00.000-08:00

Well here we are at final NZ destination. Fortunate to experience one perfect day of Mt Cook followed by a deluge of rain which has continued on and off since we decided to head down to the coast for respite. (This apparently is the depression that brought flooding to Queensland). - I realise that there will be little sympathy back home!
Headed up the coast from Timaru and arrived in Christchurch in time to sample cathedral life on Sunday then off to an enjoyable mini excursion to Banks Peninsula - one a volcanic island off the mainland but now 90 minute drive. Stayed a night and nearly bought a winery with a fabulous view over Akaora. Now back experiencing the city life and shortly about to squeeze everything back in the bags. Fly off on Thursday to Sydney and then HK - with sightseeing built in. Will look forward to sharing a few experiences with you in a while.

The Southern delights

2009-02-16T23:11:00.000-08:00

Fox Glacier - wonderful even in the rain! Enjoyed the bungy jump in Queenstown (needless to say as spectators) and climbed the heights of Bob's Peak with great views over Queenstown. Onto Fiordland with great weather restored and down to Milford Sound where we experieced the majesty of the surroundings with a cruise down and out into the Tasman Sea. Yesterday we walked some of the Kelper Track - 28 km of mostly ancient woodland - not enough mountain views! Today we travelled east to Dunedin, a large impressive city with a Scottish flavour - just returned from climbing the world's steepest street 1:2.8 (by foot!) Plans are to move north - enjoy some coast then back inland to Mt Cook. Will update when we arrive in Christchurch.

South Island

2009-02-10T00:45:00.000-08:00

Stunning crossing from North Island to South Island - calm, sunny and beautiful fiords for the last hour to Picton. Travelled to hot Nelson and then on to whale watching at Kaikoura (from the beach!) Since then we have been doing some bush camping in the Alps and today climbed up to 6000' to Avalanche Summit (first bit of rain though didn't spoil some splendid views) we are now heading down the west coast to explore Fox and Franz Josef - Hoping to do some of the Kepler Track and then Queenstown. Trust you are all keeping warm back at home!!!!

Steamy things!

2009-02-01T13:23:00.000-08:00

Exciting explorations of volcanic treats - especially White Island - NZ's most active. Situated 30 miles off the east coast, the trip itself was a delight with dolphins to entertain - though the return trip was a test for the hand grips. We have walked the Tongariro Crossing - reputed to be NZ best one day walk. The amazing scenary did not disappoint. We are heading south towards Wellington and planning our movements in South Island when we will write next.

Arrival down under

2009-01-25T13:09:00.000-08:00

Stuttering start in Auckland after a long journey. However, after 24 hours, we are reunited with our bags and can finally get in and out of the motorvan! Spent a wonderful day enjoying Auckland with friends (Linda/Bruce) and have now arrived in Whakatane - Bay of Plenty - booked a trip to the White Island - active volcanic island 35 miles off shore. Then on to Rotorua and the Tongariro Crossing. Weather continues to be splendid!

Last tango in Buenos

2009-01-20T13:05:00.000-08:00

Returned from the Iguazu Falls yesterday. Absolutely amazing! Water everywhere including the jetboat that we took a ride under the falls. Fascinating and colourful birds and wildlife - felt we were really in the jungle. Weather pretty hot/sticky and constantly changing from hot sunshine to heavy thunderstorms. AM tomorrow we depart for NZ - long flight so we have been pounding the streets of Buenos today calling in on places of interest - just off to celebrate at with a tango show! See you "down under"!

Back from Patagonia

2009-01-15T13:19:00.000-08:00

we have just returned to Buenos Aires
from the bottom of the earth tempertures well into the 80 s. We have experienced fabulous sunsets and very light mornings. Wonderful wild life and scenery. Tomorrow we fly up to the Iguassu Falls for a couple of days. We have made arrangements to meet up with a very pleasant couple when we arrive in Wellington NZ. Hope things warm up for you back home!!

Punta Arenas

2009-01-12T14:14:00.000-08:00

We have arrived in Punta Arenas on our last step before arriving in the most southerly town on our SA trip Ushuaia which we reach tomorrow night. Enjoyed some fantastic walking in during the last few days and the weather has been very kind - temperatures really quite warm though some very strong winds. Camera has been very busy and hope to upload some pics soon. Minor injuries include a few bruises and suspected broken rib when Chris took an unscheduled trip and a cut leg whilst I alighted from the bus in my excitement. (Nothing serious!!).
We will be returning to Buenos Aires on Thursday.

Patagonia - Fitzroy

2009-01-07T11:58:00.000-08:00

We have enjoyed three fine days of excellent trekking and glacier exploration here in Patagonia. Scenery is quite breath taking, walked up to the base of Mt Fitzroy and seen bright blue glacial lakes. Weather has been kind though very windy at times. We are just about to leave on the bus south to a place called El Calafete where tomorrow we explore another big glacier - The Moreno then further down to Torres del Paine. Seen condors, Megellanic woodpeckers, guancocs and no major injuries.

buenos aires

2009-01-03T14:49:00.002-08:00

Buenos aires,
arrived safely in the capital of Argentina yesterday.
huge, impressive, sunny and very warm! Enjoyed a guided exploration this morning and a leisurely stroll in about 90F this afternoon. (we thought about everyone back at home all the time honest!) Fantastic mix of culture and architecture. Just enjoyed the best steak of all time! a.m. tomorrow we depart to patagonia for the beginning of the trekking.
not sure when the next internet cafe will turn up but will keep you posted when it does!
seems that this computer keyboard goes mad as soon as I use capital letters! I knew I should have gone to spanish classes.

Our Outline Itinerary

2008-12-24T07:20:00.000-08:00

- Big Trip Outline Itinerary
01/01 Depart from Heathrow 21.10
02/01 Arrive Buenos Aires 10.30
03/01 Buenos Aires am city tour / free in pm / eve tango show?
04/01 Depart from Buenos Aires 10.25
Arrive Calafate 12.38 pm road trip to El Chalten (Fitz Roy)
05/01 trekking - Cerro Fitz Roy /
06/01 trekking - Mount Pligue Tumbado
07/01 trekking – Cerro Torre Base Camp – bus back to El Calafate
08/01 Moreno Glacier
09/01 am drive Torres del Paine
10/01 trekking - Torres del Paine
11/01 trekking Torres del Paine – Salto Grande Waterfall / Grey Lake
12/01 am drive to Punta Arenas pm explore around town
13/01 drive to Ushuaia / Straits of Magellan / Tierra del Fuego
14/01 Tierra del Fuego National Park explore Land Rover
15/01 Return flight depart Ushuaia 08.40
Arrive Buenos Aires 14.20
16/01 Depart Buenos Aires 13.00
Arrive Iguazu 15.14
17/01 Iguassi Falls - explore Argentine side
18/01 Iguassi Falls - explore Brazilian side
19/01 Depart Iguazu 10.50
Arrive Buenos Aires 12.40
20/01 Birthday in Buenos Aires!
21/01 Depart Buenos Aires 14.05
22/01 Arrive Sydney 17.45
Depart Sydney 18.50
Arrive Auckland 23.55
23/01 am Pick up Motorvan
24/01 explore Auckland
25/01- 05/02 Whangerei / Bay of Islands / Rotorua volcanic zone
Lake Taupo Tauranga / Whakatane / boat trip to White Island
Tongariro Crossing walk/ Napier/ Wellington
06/02 Ferry Crossing to South Island Depart 08.25 / Arrive Picton 11.25
07/02-24/02 Blenheim/ Kaikoura/ Wiaipara / Oxford/ Arthur’s Pass
Franz Josef Glacier/ Fox Glacier/ Wanaka/ Queenstown
Milford Sound/ Manapuori/ Gore / Alexandra / Omerama /
Mt Cook
25/02 Christchurch
26/02 am return motorvan Depart Christchurch 15.35 Arrive Sydney 16.50
27/02 Explore Sydney
28/02 Depart Sydney 11.55
Arrive Hong Kong 17.45
01/03-02/3 Explore Hong Kong
03/03 Depart Hong Kong 23.25
04/03 Arrive Heathrow 04.50!

Departure for Chile

2008-12-23T07:26:00.000-08:00

Chris retired on Friday and was given a "Big" send off. We are preparing for our departure to Chile on the 1st of Jan. Fly out of Heathrow 21.10 and arrive Buenos Aires 10.30 Argentine time. We are spending the following day exploring the city before we fly out down to Patagonia on the 4th. Will update before we depart from Buenos Aires.