Maybe I've had too much sunshine, or maybe the utter and complete silence of the deserted landscape around me is just a little too quiet; anyway, bear with the sleep-time thoughts and auto-correct typos.
So far New Zealand has delivered like a boy with a new paper route. The weather is perfect late summer, and from the Christchurch Botanic Gardens to the sparkling coves of Diamond Harbor to the flawless views from majestically named Roy's Peak I am embarrassed by a wealth of natural beauty. Throw in all the plums you can eat from a ripe tree, a host's kitten, and a friend with a functioning credit card, and you've got yourself a great vacation.
Hmm, yes, I didn't think I'd be driving on these narrow, sideless roads this time around, due to some lack of adulting resulting in me not having access to credit. Luckily my roomie needed to tackle a certain mountain for the third time, and was happy to be dropped off at the trailhead, a mere 30km down a gravel road with several creek fords.
He reluctantly allowed this photo to be taken, wherein he displays his really long rope and cool solar charger:
