Queen's Birthday Weekend Part II

So I left you all on the edge of your seat wondering about the second part of our trip. We left off with Kaikoura and seals. After Kaikoura, we travelled up the coast to Blenheim. 

While we were there we stayed with my co-worker’s parents. It is always nice when someone offers up their home to stay in so we not just get a feel for the area, but also people that live in that area. We had a great time staying with them and I know Will really enjoyed having a fully homemade meal every night and morning. When I say home made---I mean fresh baked bread, stewed feijoas for cereal and mushrooms straight from the field. He also enjoyed having a home-baked dessert each night with dinner. We both thoroughly enjoyed Minnie and Bella (the cat and dog).

Will and Minnie hanging out

Playing tug-o-war with Bella

He even got to practice his piano skills!

Sunday we got up early and went for a walk up the mounts nearby. Cath said they weren’t too hard to climb…Cath must be a ninja because I was huffing and puffing before I even got to the “hard part”. Nevertheless it was, once again, worth the view.

Top of Mt. Vernon

Will was getting hot walking in his pants

View of Blenheim from Mt. Vernon

Can't be on a walk in NZ without having to cross some sheep

After that we got cleaned up and went out to do some tastings. The Blenheim area is known as “Marlborough” which is one of New Zealand’s many wine regions. Marlborough is best known for their Sauvignon Blancs, but they have lots of other delicious wines as well. We had a nice time sampling the wines, poking around the vineyards and looking at the beautiful scenery all around.

Saint Clair Winery

Cloudy Bay Winery

Wither Hills

Stunning vines at Wither Hills with the sun shining through the clouds

Monday we got up and went with Sarah’s dad, Guy, and had a look at his duck blinds. I know this sounds funny, but they were way off the beaten path in really beautiful countryside.

Will and Guy walking to his duck blind

After that we hit the road for Picton, which is where we caught the ferry to Wellington. Because New Zealand is one large small town, we ran into a girl we’ve met in Auckland, Cora. It was fun to catch up with her as she was finishing up her time in NZ and heading back for the US.

The ferry to Wellington was really neat. The first hour was through the very scenic Marlborough Sounds. To say it was windy would be an understatement, but sooo majestic. After we left the sounds it was open ocean for a while and we went to the cabins to read/seep. The ride was actually quite smooth and enjoyable.

View of Picton from the ferry

Ready to depart!

Stunning sounds

It's windy on the deck! 

After that we flew out from Wellington and went back home. It was such a great trip and we highly recommend it to anyone who can take

Tune in for a post about the All Blacks game we went to yesterday!!

Tally x