We took the Queen Charlotte scenic highway although with an overcast day it wasn't brilliantly scenic but still a pleasant if albeit curvy drive. We stopped for a couple of walks and managed to see a silver leaf fern which is New Zealand's symbol.
We also saw the other thing that is plentiful around here. Brightly painted cars and vans.
Did I mention that my camera has a really good zoom? Dana didn't bring binoculars so I zoom in on birds shoot their pictures so that he can use them to help identify them. The one below is a tui.
This one is a weka.
Coming into our first stop in Picton we saw a huge barge waiting to be loaded with logs.
Picture from Picton. This is where you could catch a ferry to the north island of NZ.
On our way to Blenheim we stopped at a winery but nothing worth mentioning in terms of their offerings. We are at a moderate sized hotel for the next 3 nights doesn't look like much from the outside but the rooms are modern and very clean. Next to a park and close to a walking trail which meanders along side a river and old train bed. Every where in New Zealand are walking trails and sidewalks and parks. So easy to get out and walk. Wish the USA was like this. We walked for quite a while before supper and then around the town checking out restaurants of which a lot were closed on Sunday night.
This monument is at the park across from our hotel.
New Zealand is such a young country compared to Italy. With a lot of modern architecture such as this one.
Occasionally an old building, but it looks like they built a modern building around the old one maybe just keeping the facade.
We had rain tonight but so far we've had excellent weather during our trip.
Tomorrow we start exploring the wineries which are in a flat valley surrounded by mountains on either side. Should be fun to see.
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