(By Ann of course)
Having an accountant on board can be a detriment…she is always working on spreadsheets and following the numbers! And yes, I did compile a beautiful spreadsheet of our travels on the South Island that gives a unique “picture” (the actual number of pictures taken is still being calculated but will be close to a million I think!) of our trip to the South Island. Anyone interested in the exact accommodation names can send me a message!

So here goes…

38 days of travel
23 spent in youth hostels (obviously no age limit)
11 motel/hotels
2 home stays
2 Serendipitous stays- wonderful Kiwis that offered up accommodations

4,069 miles driven by Bob in Lisa and John’s car (Thank you Orcinius!)

1 four pound German Brown Trout caught and released

19 spectacular hikes, and every one different

7 walks (defined as less than an hour)

1 75 meter zip line in the middle of no-where

4 glorious bike rides

5 fishing expeditions (some bigger than others)

1 stay in a castle with a mysterious butler and a horse in the stable

8 rare yellow-crested penguins

1 25 ft swing

2 handmade knives

7 “cultural” events, including whiskey tasting, beer tasting, wearable art and old automobiles

1 Puzzling day in Wanaka

5 fun encounters – 3 with Bob and Linda from Bright Angel, one with Mark and Anne from Blue Rodeo and one with Jon and Carol from Arnamentia (Cruising friends)

5 quilt stores

12 Fishing and Hunting stores

76 Charismas (some things cannot be missed)

2 pairs of padded bike pants purchased to ensure comfort!

1 Guinness Milk Shake -yummy!

1 $200 Ticket for out-of-date car registration

1/2 Bottle of bug spray and 2 tubes of anti-itch cream (and then we left the west coast!)

2 hobbit holes with tracks

1 tap dancing dog

1 glacial avalanche viewed as it boomed and crashed downward

Infinite number of wonderful Kiwis met. And some pretty fun foreigners (like us) too!

Oh, and wonderful memories that we will cherish for the rest of our lives!