A Top-of-the South Roadie in NZ

[Dave Hansford]

A few snapshots from a loop my wife and I did as a reward after Covid lockdown here in New Zealand. We set off from Nelson, west to the Coast and down to Hokitika. Then across the island through Arthur’s Pass, and up to Kaikoura, still being rebuilt after the earthquake. I don’t want to make light of the Covid pandemic, but it’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance for us to enjoy our roads practically empty, without the tens of thousands of foreign tourists that normally clog the place up. Took our Labrador along for the ride, which limits accommodation options, but adds another layer of joy...

 

[ABFoz]

Thanks for sharing, @Dave Hansford!

How's Kaikoura now? Have they already opened most of the roads?

 

[Dave Hansford]

Sort of... there’s a big sign before the Waipara turnoff advising “35-minute delays”, so we took a left and did the inland road. It’s a gorgeous drive, but it made the dog a bit car-sick!

 

[Dave Hansford]

Also; sorry, I don’t know how the pic of the kea shredding the cargo net ended up upside-down.

 

[Ben Up North]

I was wondering what was going on there. Had figured out it was upside down, but that's about it.

 

[ABFoz]

Sort of... there’s a big sign before the Waipara turnoff advising “35-minute delays”, so we took a left and did the inland road. It’s a gorgeous drive, but it made the dog a bit car-sick!

Man, it's taking quite a while. The damage was significant, though.

Now, my playground, Northland, has just had its worst flooding. Some roads that I will need to access some sites in Ahipara will be closed for years, too.

It's been a while since my last Kea encounter. Those are some intelligent creatures.