Wanaka and Queenstown Two big shots from my heart trip, Lake Wanaka and Queenstown cities are located in the southern South Island of NZ called in the South Lakes region. We stayed three days at Lake Wanaka, a small town that beats the winter are full because of a snow-capped mountains, a paradise for skiers, which are very popular for Kiwis and tourists too. In summer it became quieter, but no fewer activities to providing ... Mount Aspiring National Park is only 45 minute drive, there are great walks from 3 hours to several days and thousands of climbing.
Queenstown so that it is the national capital of extreme sports (perhaps even global) ... bungee jumping, parachuting, paragliding, jet boating, rafting, etc. etc.. It is a city much toursits, however if you come to New Zealand you must visit Queenstown is the ideal place to jump headfirst 200 feet in the air, you can try the first bungee jump in the world, Karawau Bridge to 50 feet high ... to celebrate 22 years Stephanie has been opted for novelty, the Arc Nevis Bungee ... the largest''''Swing Bungee in the world ... 300 feet high above a river! The difference is that we are attached by a harness instead of being tied by the feet ... it was amazing! I had already done a bungee jump in Mexico and parachuted to the school of Guillaume Lemay Thivierge, and the adrenaline it was not even comparable, a must do in Queenstown! Remember to take a video! For more fragile heart, you can rent a bike and ride on the lake ... the view is equally impressive. Walking through the city, we even came across a hockey arena! I did not know that the Kiwis played this sport, I wonder if they have a team for the Olympics ... I think they might find themselves more in the category''''shearing sheep, they would win gold blow (actually NZ has trouble even summer Olympics, they have won a gold medal at the last Olympics ... but great victory for the country in the field of soccer, the All Whites, their national team have qualified for the Fifa World Cup in South Africa two weeks ago, a first in 27 years)
It is easy to stay a few days in Queenstown, is also full of good restaurants and good bars or take a pint of Steinlagger, Kiwi beer. Also, I really liked the long sunny days, Queenstown is the parallel 45 South and it was light until 10 pm EST ... one of the towns further south our planet (the most southerly is Invercargill, also in New Zealand). If you're not a fan of beer, try the vodka kiwi!
45 minutes to drive from Queenstown, on the routes most scenic''''of NZ, is the''magnificent''Routeburn Track. After 3 hours walking in the forest, you end up in the mountains with a view again quite breath-taking''''... unfortunately a part of the track was still closed for avalanche and we could not 
s' adventure further, unless taking a helicopter service ... but it was undoubtedly one of the most beautiful day hike that we did (one day = 20 km and 6.5 hours of walking!) Fiordland: Te Anau and Milford Sound
The extreme south of New Zealand consists of majestic fjords, there formed millions of years during the ice age , cest the most beautiful region of New Zealand.
There are 2 large hikes to do in the region: The Kepler Track (3 days) near the town of Te Anau and the Milford Track, known as''The World's Finest walk.'' It was not known by cons as to the latter 
he was booked on the website of the Department of Conservation several months in advance. We ended up having to fall back on the Kepler Track, which is no less spectacular ... it through fjords, lakes and mountains before returning to Te Anau ... we did another one day walk, this time taking a water taxi to save us 2 hours of walking, p 
o go to the top of Mount Luxmore, the highest point of the hike to over 1500 meters. This time it has really reached the end of our resources, 8.5 hours walking a day and more than 25 km at the end .. I could not feel my legs completely. It will have been our last big hike of the trip, but I certainly do not stop here ... it made me want to go to conquer even greater heights as Aconcagua, Kilimanjaro, Mont-Royal or who knows, Everest! We were disappointed not to do the Milford Track, the most beautiful and oldest in New Zealand and many believe the world, but there is a nice alternative, embark on a boat in Milford Sound and contemplate the splendor of this fiord and its hundreds of waterfalls. That day, we
has not been very lucky with the temperature, I think it was the day where we received more rain, but it is very normal in this region, which annually receives more than 7.5 meters precipitation water. We have not seen the beauty of the fjord as the weather is fine, but there was mass action waterfall! It was amazing to see these waterfalls, one after another, sometimes several hundred meters high! We also saw some small naughty penguins (cute!). This means that if you go to Milford Sound, it's worth the trouble entirely to make two trips by boat, a wet weather (waterfall action) and the other for the view. Or if you can, why not the Milford Track? (Bring lots of clothes you gore-tec) Dunedin and Otago Peninsula:
After Milford Sound, we drove five hours without stopping to find 
st on the east coast to Dunedin and the Peninsula Otago. Dunedin is a beautiful small city with great heritage of Scottish settlements that have colonized the region. The train station is beautiful, a legacy of a castle at the time ... the only castle in New Zealand. There is also the Cadbury World Chocolate Treats that export all over the world.
st on the east coast to Dunedin and the Peninsula Otago. Dunedin is a beautiful small city with great heritage of Scottish settlements that have colonized the region. The train station is beautiful, a legacy of a castle at the time ... the only castle in New Zealand. There is also the Cadbury World Chocolate Treats that export all over the world. The best to visit in this region is the Peninsula Otag 
o. There is a nice walk on the beach, too dangerous for swimming because of a current, or we met the seals sunbathing belly ... we inch closer 
uvait very close, but it is recommended not to wake up because they can look as stupid as humans in the morning. It also a beautiful place to see penguins coming out of hiding a few minutes before sunset to return to the water ... and it's free unlike many other places or they pay toursits (stay invisible, whether they you see they never come out!)
J
ustement speaking of a place or they pay toursits, here's one: Omaru, the capital of the world's smallest penguin, the blue penguins. They even make their small houses, I do not know if you see the pictures, there is one on the inside looking at us curiously, not what ... No, was not dinner time, but two Quebecers who introduce him into the village of Pingou without paying.
o. There is a nice walk on the beach, too dangerous for swimming because of a current, or we met the seals sunbathing belly ... we inch closer uvait very close, but it is recommended not to wake up because they can look as stupid as humans in the morning. It also a beautiful place to see penguins coming out of hiding a few minutes before sunset to return to the water ... and it's free unlike many other places or they pay toursits (stay invisible, whether they you see they never come out!) J
ustement speaking of a place or they pay toursits, here's one: Omaru, the capital of the world's smallest penguin, the blue penguins. They even make their small houses, I do not know if you see the pictures, there is one on the inside looking at us curiously, not what ... No, was not dinner time, but two Quebecers who introduce him into the village of Pingou without paying. Christchurch and Banks Peninusla:
Christchurch is the largest city of the island
South, about 400,000 people I think. It is a beautiful city with a large enough''''zocalo (city center) worth a visit, one afternoon, but no more. An hour and a half car, there is another peninsula that is worth the detour: Banks Peninsula. This peninsula was colonized by the French, and if the English would not sign an agreement with Maori tribes a few years earlier on the North Island, all the South Island could become another French Pacific territory. Some Kiwis are still direct descendants of French colonists and the area has retained a French heritage that can be seen from the street names Lavaud''''''''Balguerie and several small restaurants and the French name ... if your car breaks down, no worries, the garage area will attend to your car''marks''!
Kaikoura and Marlborough Wine Region:
Climbing the east coast to the north, the road S'A
rrête in Kaikoura, another absolutely beautiful peninsula''photogenic''post-card. There are not many places in the world or as imposing mountains snowcapped year are so close to the ocean, it provides a contrast confusing. It is also the capital of whales and swim with dolphins'',''companies will reimburse you if you do not see whales, or dolphins (you can swim with the dolphins for 30 pti piasse more). There is a beautiful walk that bypasses the small peninsula and does not hurt the wallet. 2 hours drive from further north and we were almost back to our starting point, the ferry that connects the two islands. But before returning to the merry Wellingtoniens, we 
stop (mandatory) in the Marlborough Wine Region, a Blenheim, the wine region of NZ's most internationally renowned and is produced or one of the best Sauvignon Blanc world, very fruity and refreshing in how hot day. There are dozens of vineyards, and although this was not the season, virtually all can be visited and a tasting right ... after a few minutes o 
bstinations to who would designated driver, it was so everyone rented a bike haha! There was even a case at the rear that can hold 4 bottles per bike, so it was in business and ready to get dehydrated very good with grape juice ... I tell you we had a little trouble to roll right the end of the day! A must to do in New Zealand
Christchurch is the largest city of the island
South, about 400,000 people I think. It is a beautiful city with a large enough''''zocalo (city center) worth a visit, one afternoon, but no more. An hour and a half car, there is another peninsula that is worth the detour: Banks Peninsula. This peninsula was colonized by the French, and if the English would not sign an agreement with Maori tribes a few years earlier on the North Island, all the South Island could become another French Pacific territory. Some Kiwis are still direct descendants of French colonists and the area has retained a French heritage that can be seen from the street names Lavaud''''''''Balguerie and several small restaurants and the French name ... if your car breaks down, no worries, the garage area will attend to your car''marks''! Kaikoura and Marlborough Wine Region:
Climbing the east coast to the north, the road S'A
rrête in Kaikoura, another absolutely beautiful peninsula''photogenic''post-card. There are not many places in the world or as imposing mountains snowcapped year are so close to the ocean, it provides a contrast confusing. It is also the capital of whales and swim with dolphins'',''companies will reimburse you if you do not see whales, or dolphins (you can swim with the dolphins for 30 pti piasse more). There is a beautiful walk that bypasses the small peninsula and does not hurt the wallet. 2 hours drive from further north and we were almost back to our starting point, the ferry that connects the two islands. But before returning to the merry Wellingtoniens, we 
stop (mandatory) in the Marlborough Wine Region, a Blenheim, the wine region of NZ's most internationally renowned and is produced or one of the best Sauvignon Blanc world, very fruity and refreshing in how hot day. There are dozens of vineyards, and although this was not the season, virtually all can be visited and a tasting right ... after a few minutes o 
bstinations to who would designated driver, it was so everyone rented a bike haha! There was even a case at the rear that can hold 4 bottles per bike, so it was in business and ready to get dehydrated very good with grape juice ... I tell you we had a little trouble to roll right the end of the day! A must to do in New Zealand Napier and Hawke's Bay
Another beautiful wine region in New Zealand, this time red wines the Hawke's Bay and its main city, Napier is located between Auckland and Wellington on the North Island. After resuming the ferry from Picton to return to the North Island (5: 30 am) we arrived in Wellington (the capital of New Zealand, in case you forget) and things were not changed much: clouds, rain and wind bin. It has therefore adopted the only time to drink coffee and eat sushi scrolling circling around a large table on a kind of treadmill (I had never seen it before, is that AC exist in Montreal?) and it was soon back on the road towards Napier. There is not really nothing interesting between Wellington and Napier, only fields and sheep, it has rolled five hours without stopping. A little hangover from our visit to Marlborough wines bike is merely visited 3 wineries in Hawke's Bay, from where comes the best red wine of NZ. We already had the van full of wine, but we are still left with two other bottles aditional because the lovely taster of the smaller vineyards gave us a lil pink gift. We had less than a week in New Zealand, and we headed to the most beautiful beaches and it was eager to take it easy with all that good wine. We made a short stop in Napier, a city that has suffered with a large earthquake at the beginning of the century and has been completely rebuilt Archictecture art deco style, and then began moving northward New Zealand, known as Bay of Islands.
Bay of Islands:
After traveling over 5000 km voitrure the 4 corners of New Zealand, walked for hours in snow-capped mountains and glaciers carved a natural spa in the sand have ventured into active volcanoes, is attacked by a bird with a long orange bill after a hard day sea kayaking, eating dozens of sticks of canned tuna, questioned hundreds of times the van was going to lose a wheel or the brakes
REASTFEEDING abandon us, and preview 212,685 sheep ... we were very happy to arrive in Bay of Islands, the paradise of white beaches and turquoise water, to finally rest. I can not wait to go diving at Poor Knights, who, according to the famous Jacques Cousteau, is ranked in the top 10 best places in the world or dive. So I promptly enrolled in a group of dove, and it was one of my best day of this trip. On the boat, there was a group of divers dun around the world, and all frequent travelers in mind. I was very lucky in the open sea on the boat to the islands we encountered a whale brutus we followed for 15 minutes, and on our return of small dolphins who followed us for good minutes. I did not fully appreciate my first dive because I was a little nervous, he plunged to breathe very slowly and move as little as possible, and I have come to the surface only after 25 minutes. On my second dive fortunately, I was much more relaxed and with my dive buddy that I experienced gave some advice, I was able to stay much longer and luckily we saw hundreds of fish of all colors, in short exactly the idea I had in mind to dive in New Zealand. I surfaced after 50 minutes, and that's termimé by a few pints at the bar between Tutukaka diving by telling our stories travel ... apparently the best diving in the world is in Australia, the Great Barrier Reef ... the water is so warm that no wetsuits need to put on and we almost meet sharks and dolphins in the water, perhaps with giant tortoises chance.
Bay of Islands is the dream place for a day trip by sailboat. Many owners of yachts from 50 to 71 feet will offer you a day to board their sailboat for a small fee of about $ 60. Me and Stephanie were therefore chosen the largest and most beautiful sailing ship, with Captain Mike ... as a Canadian from Vancouver. I must say that this guy impresses me, he spent more time on a sailboat on terra firma. At 17 he just bought his first sailboat and Vancouver has gone down the west coast to Mexico and then hoisted sail for Fiji, his favorite place since in this world ... there restourne almost every year. Mike has lived on his boat for several (25 I think) years, he even raised his two daughters on water TIL
u'à it is large enough to study at primary school, equipped Hockey helmets for not strongly they bump their heads on the boat in a storm! Today Mike has a Yacht worth more than $ 300,000 and her 2 daughters go to university in New Zealand, her hand about 4 to 5 months each year on the peaceful board his yacht with a crew that selected by interview, people like you and me who have no experience and who come from around the world in search of adventure ... in short, a true bohemian, an individual fascinating motivates us to follow our 
dreams to the end, you feel lucky when you meet a person like this in life.
Although there was not much wind that day it was had a great day and I was given the task of master of the colossus 71 feet to 2 times! For 2 years I dreamed of going sailing on the ocean to get some virgin islands and eating out our decision ... I was really happy to embark on a vo
ilier for the first time and being able to steer and maneuver the rudder! It was anchored in a small bay empty, it was so beautiful we believed in the movie''The Beach''with Leo. Then to cool off, a small dip in the water and snorkeling to watch the manta rays. And did I say that we also met some dolphins than 3 meters long, too? The trick to attract dauhins to your boat: imitates their cry and clap! It sounds crazy but it really works haha.
Travel ends well, I hope I managed to convey all the excitement and admiration that I lived during his 45 days in New Zealand! It is a country that appeals to everyone, whether you're adventurous or not, there's something for everyone ... only one rule applies if you take a vacation here, be sure to spend at least one month, otherwise you will not want to leave! in 45 days we have been able to visit most of the 2 islands, but we still run an average of 2 hours by car per day. I hope you too will have the chance to visit New Zealand, and can approach a kiwi! We we saw dozens of new species of bird of weka, Kia, of pukekos ... but unfortunately no kiwi, the fruit except of course our daily breakfast! One thing is certain, I do not return to Quebec without seeing a kangaroo in Australia!
Haere ra! (Goodbye, Maori language)
Another beautiful wine region in New Zealand, this time red wines the Hawke's Bay and its main city, Napier is located between Auckland and Wellington on the North Island. After resuming the ferry from Picton to return to the North Island (5: 30 am) we arrived in Wellington (the capital of New Zealand, in case you forget) and things were not changed much: clouds, rain and wind bin. It has therefore adopted the only time to drink coffee and eat sushi scrolling circling around a large table on a kind of treadmill (I had never seen it before, is that AC exist in Montreal?) and it was soon back on the road towards Napier. There is not really nothing interesting between Wellington and Napier, only fields and sheep, it has rolled five hours without stopping. A little hangover from our visit to Marlborough wines bike is merely visited 3 wineries in Hawke's Bay, from where comes the best red wine of NZ. We already had the van full of wine, but we are still left with two other bottles aditional because the lovely taster of the smaller vineyards gave us a lil pink gift. We had less than a week in New Zealand, and we headed to the most beautiful beaches and it was eager to take it easy with all that good wine. We made a short stop in Napier, a city that has suffered with a large earthquake at the beginning of the century and has been completely rebuilt Archictecture art deco style, and then began moving northward New Zealand, known as Bay of Islands.
Bay of Islands:
After traveling over 5000 km voitrure the 4 corners of New Zealand, walked for hours in snow-capped mountains and glaciers carved a natural spa in the sand have ventured into active volcanoes, is attacked by a bird with a long orange bill after a hard day sea kayaking, eating dozens of sticks of canned tuna, questioned hundreds of times the van was going to lose a wheel or the brakes
REASTFEEDING abandon us, and preview 212,685 sheep ... we were very happy to arrive in Bay of Islands, the paradise of white beaches and turquoise water, to finally rest. I can not wait to go diving at Poor Knights, who, according to the famous Jacques Cousteau, is ranked in the top 10 best places in the world or dive. So I promptly enrolled in a group of dove, and it was one of my best day of this trip. On the boat, there was a group of divers dun around the world, and all frequent travelers in mind. I was very lucky in the open sea on the boat to the islands we encountered a whale brutus we followed for 15 minutes, and on our return of small dolphins who followed us for good minutes. I did not fully appreciate my first dive because I was a little nervous, he plunged to breathe very slowly and move as little as possible, and I have come to the surface only after 25 minutes. On my second dive fortunately, I was much more relaxed and with my dive buddy that I experienced gave some advice, I was able to stay much longer and luckily we saw hundreds of fish of all colors, in short exactly the idea I had in mind to dive in New Zealand. I surfaced after 50 minutes, and that's termimé by a few pints at the bar between Tutukaka diving by telling our stories travel ... apparently the best diving in the world is in Australia, the Great Barrier Reef ... the water is so warm that no wetsuits need to put on and we almost meet sharks and dolphins in the water, perhaps with giant tortoises chance. Bay of Islands is the dream place for a day trip by sailboat. Many owners of yachts from 50 to 71 feet will offer you a day to board their sailboat for a small fee of about $ 60. Me and Stephanie were therefore chosen the largest and most beautiful sailing ship, with Captain Mike ... as a Canadian from Vancouver. I must say that this guy impresses me, he spent more time on a sailboat on terra firma. At 17 he just bought his first sailboat and Vancouver has gone down the west coast to Mexico and then hoisted sail for Fiji, his favorite place since in this world ... there restourne almost every year. Mike has lived on his boat for several (25 I think) years, he even raised his two daughters on water TIL
u'à it is large enough to study at primary school, equipped Hockey helmets for not strongly they bump their heads on the boat in a storm! Today Mike has a Yacht worth more than $ 300,000 and her 2 daughters go to university in New Zealand, her hand about 4 to 5 months each year on the peaceful board his yacht with a crew that selected by interview, people like you and me who have no experience and who come from around the world in search of adventure ... in short, a true bohemian, an individual fascinating motivates us to follow our 
dreams to the end, you feel lucky when you meet a person like this in life. Although there was not much wind that day it was had a great day and I was given the task of master of the colossus 71 feet to 2 times! For 2 years I dreamed of going sailing on the ocean to get some virgin islands and eating out our decision ... I was really happy to embark on a vo
ilier for the first time and being able to steer and maneuver the rudder! It was anchored in a small bay empty, it was so beautiful we believed in the movie''The Beach''with Leo. Then to cool off, a small dip in the water and snorkeling to watch the manta rays. And did I say that we also met some dolphins than 3 meters long, too? The trick to attract dauhins to your boat: imitates their cry and clap! It sounds crazy but it really works haha. Travel ends well, I hope I managed to convey all the excitement and admiration that I lived during his 45 days in New Zealand! It is a country that appeals to everyone, whether you're adventurous or not, there's something for everyone ... only one rule applies if you take a vacation here, be sure to spend at least one month, otherwise you will not want to leave! in 45 days we have been able to visit most of the 2 islands, but we still run an average of 2 hours by car per day. I hope you too will have the chance to visit New Zealand, and can approach a kiwi! We we saw dozens of new species of bird of weka, Kia, of pukekos ... but unfortunately no kiwi, the fruit except of course our daily breakfast! One thing is certain, I do not return to Quebec without seeing a kangaroo in Australia!
Haere ra! (Goodbye, Maori language)
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