We traveled up the coast from Christchurch and stopped at Motuanau Beach and Cathederal Cliffs. Both were lovely. Especially the rock formations at Cathederal Cliffs! We were trying to find a place to stay for the night on the way to Kaikoura but everywhere was full or too expensive. We got a text message from our friend Marion that we met in Nelson saying that she was in Kaikoura and that another couple that we also met in Nelson at Christmas were camping at...

We drove into Christchurch from Arthurs Pass. We saw a little of the city centre but they are still recovering from the earthquakes. There is now alot of work being done to the city and residential homes as the insurance companies have just payed out so it seems like it is all go! We drove south of Christchurch to Lyttelton which is a cool quirky little town facing out to the sea and the Banks Peninsula. It is really arty and pretty cool, they were pretty hard...

Although sad to leave Nelson it was a good feeling to be back on the road again. We left in good time so we had enough time to drive down to Arthers Pass. The road was beautiful on the way down we drove back along the stunning Buller River then down along the end of the Lewis pass and then cutting down past Lake Brunner. Those roads were all stunning but we were completely breath taken once we hit Arthur's Pass! The mountains, rivers, waterfalls and valleys were ...

We arrived back in nelson to yet another warm welcome from Dave and all the housemates! We had an awesome night!! We started off by having a few drinks and chats at the house. I popped off for a bit to go and see Lauren and Cherry for a drink. They had travelled over from Wellington for New Years with Cherry's mum and went Kayaking on the Abel Tasman and were staying in Nelson. I took them to a cool bar called The Freehouse which Dave had taken us to a couple of ...

After having an amazing Christmas with Dave and all his housemates we headed to Vive's house for a night. Vive is friends with Dave and lives in a really nice area of nelson near the outskirts in the hills looking over Nelson and the sea. We had a lovely chilled evening there chatting, eating yummy peppered steak and having an early night on her sofa bed for a change from the van! The Able Tasmin National Park is north west from Nelson and a beautiful drive up th...