The
South Island |
Our journey to the South island
was really awesome. Although we only had 10 days to explore the 151000
sq km landmass, we have very good feelings about it and we can't wait
to go back for further explorations. |
The souyh island is
quite different from the north island. Firstly there is only a third of
the population of the north island living there and secondly it is much
wilder. Untouched rain forests, high mountains with glaciers, wild water
rivers and breath taking fjords.
The Fox and the Franz Josef Glacier are the only expanding glaciers in the
world. Unaffected by the world's global warming that melts all the other
glaciers.
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Flying over Mount Cook |

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And last but for sure not least
the South Island has the most of the rare animals that live in NZ. Naturally
there is the world famous Kiwi, but also other funny and interesting (often
flightless) birds - Kea, Weka, Tui, Pukeko, Takahe, Kakapo, Yellow eyed
penguins, blue penguins, Royal Albatross, Fantails, etc, etc. All birds
that only live in New Zealand. |
Being in the south
island we finally fully realized that before the coming of the Pakeha
(white man), there were no mammals in New Zealand. Only birds and some
reptiles. That's the reason why birds forgot how to fly and decided simply
to walk instead.
All the mammals that you find here now, were brought here for food or
entertaining the Pakeha. Unfortunately by having no natural enemies these
animals multiplied like there was no tomorrow. THEN predators were shipped
in for the 'foreign' animals. And since then the original 'walk only'
birds have not learnt to run away fast enough they are endangered by these
newer prdators.
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Being in the south island it
became very clear to us, why the Lord Of The Ring movie was shot here.
Walking the southern forests of Fjorland you can see elves wondering around
and small flat footed hobbits! By the way, the Ents in the movie are based
on the New Zealnd Beach tree that is very common on the South Island.
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We flew into Queenstown, rented a
car and drove to Te Anau, Milford Sounds, Duniden, Oamaru, Kaikoura, Blenheim,
Marlborough Sounds and Nelson.
Click on the red balloons for
the photos and their story. |
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