 | The first thing I have to say about the South Island is that we did NOT have enough time there! We had eleven days, but it simply wasn't long enough. Every time we turned a corner their was a new and spectacular view. I could happily spend two months just hiking around. We started our trip with a visit to the Okarito School House on the west coast. It is now available to be rented out as a bunk house, and we were able to sleep there while visiting the glaciers. |
| By far, visiting the glaciers was the most exhilarating and saddest part for me. We got to see four stunning glaciers that are rapidly disappearing. If we ever do get to go back, they will likely be completely melted. We saw the Franz Josef and Fox glaciers from the west side of the island. Then on our return we drove up the center to Mount Cook National Park and got to see the Tasman and Hooker Valley Glaciers. The latter two were harder to see as the moraine walls have been crumbling down on top of them as they recede. | |
 Mr. Hooper and a member of the Greenies showed me around the campus at Ashburton Borough. | Along the way we made some videos for my class and stopped at schools I wanted to visit for my project. There was a lot going on in outdoor education and well developed school grounds that promote outdoor learning on the South Island. Unfortunately the schools were having their fall break like us. Fortunately, I had two people, one principal and one teacher, who were willing to meet with me anyway. One very passionate student even came out on a Saturday to share what they are doing with me. I really got some good ideas from this school. There will be more about them on the toolkit page soon. |
| Due to limited finances, most of our entertainment has come in the form of hiking. However, we were able to budget for a special tour of the glowworm caves and a short lake cruise at the town of Te Anau. The cave that that the glowworms were in was amazing on its own, but sitting in complete darkness looking at these tiny little twinkling larvae on light up like stars in the sky put the icing on the cake. |  |
Another very cool part of our South Island trip was getting to meet up with my brother and his family in Queenstown. Queenstown was beautiful, but definitely more touristy than I really enjoy. I preferred going out to Glenorchy for a wetlands hike and a school visit. We spent a couple of days with my brother there and then headed on to Mount Cook National park together. We saw the second two glaciers there and spent a rainy afternoon hiking. I am extremely grateful to have been able to share this amazing experience with my family that lives Down Under.
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