Day 57 - We walked a bit around the sound then drove back to Te Anu... again briefly stopping at the keas at Homer Tunnel, Monkey Creek and Mirror Lakes. We then walked a bit of the lush Kepler Track.

Day 58 - We visited Manapouri Lake and Frasers Beach. The drive to Wanaka Lake took us past Lake Wakatipu and over Crown Range Road (the highest paved road in New Zealand). At Wanaka, we took an evening stroll along the shoreline to Eely Point.

Day 59 - We drove to the the Blue Pools, although they were hardly blue due to all the rain. We did a few short, wet hikes to Fantail Falls, Thunder Creek Falls and Roaring Billy Falls. The rain took a short break at Knights Point but continued on and off the rest of the day. When we arrived at Franz Josef Glacier, we took a hike up to Tatare Tunnels and Gallery Gorge with an amazing glacier run-off river!

Day 60 - In the morning, we walked up to the foot of Franz Joseph Glacier. In the afternoon, we hopped in a helicopter for a lift up to it. We had a wonderful tour which let us even explore some ice caves and crevaces. Once back down on firm land, visited the tiny Our Lady of the Alps Catholic Church and took the Terrace Walk, where we saw wild glowworms!

Day 61 - In the morning, we walked up to the base of Fox Glacier. At nearby Lake Matheson, thick clouds hindered the view. We drove to Queenstown, stopping for a hike at Haast Pass, a large flock of sheep, and Arrowtown.

Day 62 - We returned the rental car then did a hike up the Queenstown Hill Walking Track.

Day 63 - After a visit to the the Queenstown Cemetery, we took a stroll around the waterfront gardens. Regan then caught a plane home and I had a restful evening.

Day 64 - I caught the bus down to Dunedin. Brian and Judy (friends of a friend) met me at the bus stop. They gave me a wonderful tour of the city, including the Signal Hill Overlook and the University of Otago. Judy made the most incredible meals!

Day 65 - I took a tour at Speight's Brewery, including samples that I got to tap myself! Afterwards we visited St. Dominic's Priory, St. Joseph's Catholic Cathedral, St. Paul's Anglican Cathedral and First Church of Otago (Presbyterian). We then stopped by the Dunedin Railway Station, Emerson's Brewery for a free tasting, Bracken's Overlook, the Northern Cemetery, Baldwin Street (the steepest street in the world) and the bay.

Day 66 - We spent the day touring the Otago Peninsula. I took a tour of the Royal Albatross Center, then we drove around the area admiring the incredible bird life. We also made stops at Sandfly Bay and Larnach Castle and gardens. In the evening, Brian explained some popular sports to me, such as cricket, net ball and rugby.

Day 67 - Judy and I went for a morning hike. I spent some time enjoying their extensive garden at home, then we went to the Dunedin Botanic Garden.

Day 68 - We drove out to St. Claire, a beach suburb. I then went with Judy on her usual walk around the Ross Creek reservoirs and an old earth dam. Finally, I caught a plane back to Wellington, where Regan picked me up.

Day 69 - Recovery day!

Day 70 - We hopped on a ferry and visited Somes Island. The island was once used as a quarantine station (for both people and livestock) and a WWII defense station but is now mostly a nature reserve and home to wild tuataras.

Days 71 - 75 - Hanging around Wellington, including going to a rugby match featuring the Hurricanes (New Zealand) vs the Western Force (Australia).

Day 76 - We drove up to Stonehenge Aotearoa. This one was designed to be functioning for the Southern hemisphere. On our way home, we made stops in Carterton and and Grytown.

Day 77 - We went to the Te Papa museum (the same one I went to when I first arrived) and then baked another slimy pie.

Days 78 - 79 - It was time for me to go home. After a layover in Sydney (Australia) and San Francisco (CA), I eventually arrived back in Denver (CO).

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