Last outing with Grandma and Grandpa

 Remutaka Pass looking both directions.  It was a nice stop to get out and stop all the twisting and turning of the road,

 Stonehenge Aotearoa was our next stop.  A working replica of the real thing.  It was an interesting find in the middle of nowhere.

 Our destination was Castlepoint Lighthouse.  We had lunch at a cute little town store and then spent some time on the beach.  It really started pouring and the tide did not let us hike to the lighthouse, but it was still beautiful.

Queen Elizabeth Park was a great last stop.  The kids enjoyed it even if it was a bit rainy.

Kyle and MiKell Trip: Getting Back Home

After disembarking and sleeping on the bus ride home we made it back to Queenstown.  Our last evening in Queenstown we spent walking around town and ate some delicious Italian food.

 Sunday morning we woke up to a gorgeous day.  We went to the park and listened to conference.  It was a lovely time.  We then flew home and found our kids and grandparents still alive.  It was a great break,

Kyle and MiKell Trip: Doubtful Sound

The second day we checked out and met our bus at 8:30 to head to our Doubtful Sound Cruise,

The drive itself was beautiful.  We passed numerous pastures where the momma and baby sheep were playing.  We then got on a boat to cross Lake Manapouri and then a bus over Wilmont Pass.  We then boarded the ship for a couple of relaxing, beautiful days cruising on Doubtful Sound.

Our first view of Doubtful Sound from Wilmont Pass

 Pictures taken along our drive. 

 Plenty of waterfalls, although most were hard to get a good picture of.

 Some of the MANY pictures we took of the fjord.

 

   The first day we took an excursion on a small boat and enjoyed a close up of a waterfall, and a fisherman's hotel.  

 We made it out to the Tasman Sea.  We were able to see a couple of types of penguins and seals.  It was great fun, but Kyle was glad we were sleeping in the calm waters of the fjord.

Kyle and MiKell Trip: TSS Earnslaw and Walter Peak Farm

Kyle and I left the kids with Grandma and Grandpa Schwieder (Thanks) and enjoyed a few days on the south island.  We flew to Queenstown and spent the afternoon wandering town and enjoying gorgeous weather.

That evening we hopped aboard  The TSS Earnslaw, a 1912 Edwardian vintage steamer, and went across the lake to the Walter Peak Farm.  There we had a grand meal and saw some lovely scenery.  On the way back we joined in a sing-a-long.  It was definitely a good start to our couples retreat.