Sunny South Island!

We made it to the South Island of New Zealand! After a sunny sweltering 3 hour ferry boat ride we motored through lush beautiful fjords leading into Picton - the main port connecting the two islands. Zach and I are still amazed at how easy it has been to meet people. Something about the combination of wandering travelers meet exhausted cyclists makes for a quick conversation starter. Boarding the Interislander Ferry we met a svelte mountain biker/mechanic named Andrew heading for an off road ride on the Queen Charolette ride on the South Island peninsula. Despite a few chipped teeth and a pair of scuffed up legs, he promised us the South Island has some of the most beautiful and smooth riding. Hard to believe since our daily rides cast off into lush picturesque layered landscapes. Along the way we've learned that what people tell you about roads, weather conditions, and hilly terrain is completely up to interpretation. Finding the South Island so far to be very hilly, dry, and hot - equating it to east of the mountains in WA State - we're still looking for the cool, wet climate many North Islanders told us the South Island would offer.

Views of Wellington and from the ferry ride:

We rode 86 kilometers our first day our on the South Island - from Picton to a little pedlar's rest stop outside a town called Ward on Highway 1. Riding along Route 1 we we're passed by hundreds of cards loaded to the brim with mountain bikes. Apparently just down the road from our boarding house there was a massive 40 km off road race. I find it hard riding 40 km on the road let alone in the mountains with no shade. Zach and I have been amazed by the huge mountain bike culture here. Its seems like its turning into their No. 1 sport here (excluding rugby of course).

Currently our transient life is allowing us to call Kaikoura home - half way between Picton and Christchurch. The Kaikoura mountain ranges loom shadowy above the small towns, reminding us of alpine villages, constrasting sharply with the coastal beaches and tropical temperature. We decided to take a day off from cycling, resting our sore bums and legs in trade for a scenic beach walk. The towns rocky limestone beaches are lined with colonies of sea lions. Looking like hundreds of giant slugs drying on warm rocks they called out to us on our bicycles as we rode past. On Tuesday we plan to continue our journey down Route 1 heading to Christchurch. We're both looking foward to seeing our moms in 8 days! Although we're having an amazing trip we still could use a taste of home. We hope all is well with everyone at home!