[Trigirl]

OH and I have just got back from 10 days in South Island. The blog tells all (as always) but I thought I'd share a few photos. They are small so they don't take ages to download but you can see them normal size (plus lots of others if you like) at My Flickr Page (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandysimpson)

We went to Nelson and from there went kayaking in Abel Tasman and kiting on Nelson beach
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/154/343717273_9ada5bf85a_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandysimpson/343717273/)

We climbed the glacier at Franz Josef (this is our guide Dan cutting the way for us)
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/154/352523334_36958d4789_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandysimpson/352523334/)

[Trigirl]

And finally a few photos from Kaikoura
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/131/352544326_f6d4f5d6f0_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandysimpson/352544326/)

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/139/352544327_3f8836e564_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandysimpson/352544327/)

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/143/352544328_71f5c94c38_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandysimpson/352544328/)

[Helsandfamily]

Fab pictures - looks great!!

Hels

[The Hodges]

http://www.freesmileys.org/emo/signs154.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org)

I'm looking forward to the views for real!

[gil]

Lovely Mandy, looks like you had a wonderful time!

Gil

[SharpBlade]

Hi,
lovely pictures, the glacier looks like a great walk !
What do you think of Kaikoura ? Is it worth a trip ? Apparently, you actually manage to see a whale, did you have to book the boat trip and would you recommend it ?
thanks, Laura

[Anita & Marco]

Mandy,
Great pictures!!
Really enjoyed watching them.
Are you a professional photographer by any chance?

Cheers,
Anita

[Mexican in NZ]

amazing pics!!
the one of the whale is my favorite!!
Thanks 4 sharing!!!
adriana

[Angie and Mick]

Ditto

Great Photo's, some places I have seen but many not.

[Trigirl]

sharp blade - kaikoura is definitely well worth the trip. its the most visually stunning of all the places we visited with the mountains springing straight out of the sea. very impressive.

if you go at this time of year you definitely need to book the whale watching (or dolphin swimming / seal swimming etc) we only booked about 3 days in advance which was fine but people just turning up on the day were getting turned away.

we saw three sperm whales plus a couple of huge albatrosses, petrels, seals and a couple of blue sharks. the whole trip is really informative - while they are driving around looking for the whales they tell you all about the whales and how they live, what they eat, what the local environment is like for them etc. you aren't guaranteed to see one (obviously) but they are so sure you will that they give an 80% refund if you don't.

[Ana&Steve]

you aren't guaranteed to see one (obviously) but they are so sure you will that they give an 80% refund if you don't. Very nice! Great pics, all of them. (Peeked at your blog :))
Ana

[SharpBlade]

thanks for the info on Kaikoura, sounds like a very good trip and I am going to book it next week !
Laura

[Debbie P.]

Lovely photos! Looks like you had some nice weather too.

[StevieD]

Matter of interest, how much was the whale watching trip? It looks fabulous, and to be so close to one of these creatures in nature is so appealing. The nearest I have been to one was when I saw one surfacing off the coast of Newfoundland from the deck of the QE2 - and that was a majestic sight.

[Moorf]

$130 adults / $60 kids

More info here http://www.whalewatch.co.nz/index.asp

We've done it 3 times now and each time saw 4 or more whales. They refund 80% if you don't see any.