Nelson - The Top of the South

We took our first trip to the South Island to visit the wineries in the Nelson region and hike the Abel Tasman National Park. It was just a short 30 minute flight from Wellington across the Cook Strait.

The search is over. Izzy finally encounters the Giant Kiwi Bird !!!!

Wine tasting with new friends from North Carolina - insect man is in the middle.

As some of you may know, my dad's nickname was Big John (aka Juan Grande) - we found his private label at a small brewery.

Izzy loves the local wildlife - moooooo

Izzy's new mode of transporation to the hospital

(Bert, do you want to race?)

The queen set here - in 1954 and no one else has sat here since!

The queen is really big here, she is on almost all the money. When Charles becomes King will they have to reissue all the money?

Izzy at the center of New Zealand - a 45 minute uphill hike.

Hiking Abel Tasman National Park.

Beautiful setting on a deserted beach at Abel Tasman.

On the deserted beach - too cold for a bathing beauty shot.

Water taxi picking us up on the deserted beach.

Izzy driving the water taxi after a full day of wine tasting.

So what if the water taxi was being pulled by a tractor while Izzy was in command.

Mid-winter celebration complete with Christmas Tree.