| After the rental car was wrecked, and Barb got out of the hospital, we travelled by bus from Invercargill to Dunedin, up a long bay on the east coast of South Id. |
| From Dunedin we took a $100 taxi ride out to the Royal Albatross Center on the seacoast. |
| The Royal Albatross Center is the only place on any mainland where albatrosses nest and raise chicks. |
| Lucky for us some Royal Albatross chicks were still sitting in their nests, unable yet to fly. |
| We couldn't do much sightseeing so we boarded the Gorge Railway here in Dunedin Station and rode for 4 hours through spectacular scenery. |
| The end of the railway line is a pub in the railway station with a wall of scotch---Bob's heaven! |
| We took another bus and a shuttle to get to Akaroa, nestled in the bay at the foot of this valley |
| We had a seaside room on Akaroa Bay, once home to hundreds of French settlers |
| We were somewhat surprised to see Canada geese (introduced here long ago) |
| Akaroa is a sleepy place, very peaceful, just right for recovering from our injuries by strolling the waterfront. |
| Akaroa is a well-protected bay and perfect for yachting. |
| Our one afternoon in Christchurch, before flying home, was spent at the Antarctic Center. |
| The Antarctic Center rehabilitates Little Blue Penguins found injured in the wild. |
| Back home at last in Whangarei, we visited the falls and hiked the trails |
| The only activity Barb was allowed was walking, and she hiked so much she had to buy new boots! |
| View of the tropical rainforest from mid-canopy |
| Tree fern from above |
| An elaborate, expensive, extremely cool forest canopy walkway in a local community park! |
| Undersides of a Silver Tree Fern up close, NZ's national symbol |
| Tree fern from below |
| We had been wanting to see a Royal Spoonbill... |
| ..and one morning one showed up behind our moored boat.... |
| Welcome back-Sunday dinner feed in true Brit style aboard s/v Tuppenny: Captain Gillie (front), with (clockwise) friend Franny visiting from s/v Palmast, Tuppenny First Mate Ruth, Captain Stuart from Nomad, Barb & Bob. Cheers! |
| ....demonstrating its particular, peculiar method of swinging its bill side to side in search of river mud critters. YUM! |
| Whangarei Marina -- Home Sweet Home! |