Perhaps one day I'll catch up with our travels on my blog but for now this is more of our travels in the South Island.

photo 1 We visited a beach on the SE Caitlin coast where a 180 million year old forest has been petrified by a sudden swamping that left it under many layers of silt, although difficult to see the straight lines are the tree trunks and it is an unique geological feature. It is also home to the endangered yellow crested penguin. sadly since they come back to their burrows, from feeding at sea, at dusk, it is not easy to see them, although you can hear them calling to each other to stay in touch, when they land as a raft or group.

Photo 2 There is an amazingly strong Bull Kelp, you cant tear it at all, it is like thick rubber with internal air pockets to ensure it floats and tough roots that anchor it to the rocks where it must withstand the pounding of the Southern Oceans. 

Photo 3 Caitlin coast

Photo 4 Mclean waterfalls

Photo 5 Cathedral Rock, with u shaped tunnel

Photo 6 Alan not trusting to luck to miss the tidal surge, and it was cold!

Photo 7 from inside the caves

All our best,

Lynne and Alan