http://blogs.bootsnall.com/ChrisandJennyRTW Our year chasing surf, memories & photos around the world Mon, 19 Mar 2007 14:10:21 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Our Photo Link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisjentravel All of the photos on the pages are also in the sets that run along the side….its easier to use the sets to navigate and there are additional sets under “more sets” We are definitely getting a little homesick! More Photos from New Zealand and Europe will be up ... http://blogs.bootsnall.com/ChrisandJennyRTW/in-europe-and-home-soon.html New Zealand was amazing. We had plenty of time to see most all of the two islands and more than enough time to drive through the mountains and past endless farms and herds of sheep. We were ready for a change of pace and excited to leave for ... http://blogs.bootsnall.com/ChrisandJennyRTW/32-hour-flight-to-europe-37-hours-hotel-to-hotel.html The next day we drove through beautiful Christchurch, then stopped further down the coast in Oamaru, a quiet town known for its limestone constructed buildings, turn of the century architecture and colonies of blue and yellow-eyed penguins. It is reportedly the furthest point North to sight the nearly extinct animals ... http://blogs.bootsnall.com/ChrisandJennyRTW/oamaru-te-anua-milford-sound-queenstown-%e2%80%93-february-26-%e2%80%93-march-2-2007.html Once out of Picton, the landscape changed drastically from what we were accustomed to.  We drove over endless bare, dry mountains the golden color of beach sand; the only green was on those with perfectly maintained vineyards. As we neared the ocean, the land became increasingly green, littered with rocks ... http://blogs.bootsnall.com/ChrisandJennyRTW/kaikora-february-24-26-2007.html The 3-hour ferry ride to the South Island was smooth and picturesque. There are the usual good views of the surrounding mountainous coves, a short sea crossing then a maze of waterways of the expansive Marlborough Sound leading into Picton. http://blogs.bootsnall.com/ChrisandJennyRTW/ferry-crossing-to-picton-february-24-2007.html From the exciting Tongariro crossing, we headed through 4 equally quaint towns, all with something different to offer.  First was Taupo- located on Lake Taupo, New Zealand’s largest lake. Second was Rotorua- a clean and relaxing town to unwind and lay in the park, watching sea planes take off ... http://blogs.bootsnall.com/ChrisandJennyRTW/taupo-to-wellington-february-18-24-2007.html Tongariro National Park is located in the center of the North Island. The region is filled with contrasting landscapes, from alpine mountain forests and streams to barren volcanoes, craters and emerald lakes. It is best known to outsiders as the backdrop for the hellish Mordor in the Lord ... http://blogs.bootsnall.com/ChrisandJennyRTW/tongariro-crossing-february-17-2007.html After our time underground we were anxious to get back to the beach. We drove next to Mount Plymouth, the base town for the Taranaki region, known for terrific surf as well as Mt. Taranaki, which looms over the whole area. The mountain, actually a dormant volcano, has been compared ... http://blogs.bootsnall.com/ChrisandJennyRTW/taranaki-february-16-2007.html The Waitoma region of the North Island s small but has over 300 mapped underground caves, like a town built over Swiss cheese. There are a variety of activities centered around the caves, like abseiling (repelling), blackwater rafting (tubing in underground rivers), glowworm tours and of course just old fashioned ... http://blogs.bootsnall.com/ChrisandJennyRTW/waitoma-caves-%e2%80%93-february-15-2007.html Driving back through Auckland and South towards the West coast, we felt like we were getting into the real New Zealand – surf, mountains, volcanoes and endless adventure activities. We knew little about our next stop, Raglan, other than the fact that it was home to a famous surf break ... http://blogs.bootsnall.com/ChrisandJennyRTW/raglan-%e2%80%93-february-14-2007.html