Arohanui NZ

I just got back from NZ about a week ago and it's still hard to believe that I just traveled to eleven different locations on the S. Island in four weeks. Traveling about the S. Island is a bit like walking through a giant greenhouse with sheep, kiwis, tourists, farms and some towns/cities thrown in the mix. In terms of the U.S, it was as if we drove from Colorado alpine country to Seattle's rainforests, Florida's Everglades, Hawaii's beaches, and the West coast all within about a few hours distance from one another. That is, of course, a simplistic description but the landscape is probably what I will remember the most. I couldn't help but be amazed at how almost every bend in the road would reveal another beatiful scene. Granted, NZ faces its own set of environmental challenges/issues (water scarcity, introduced pests, land management, etc.) but it's easy to see why the landscape is probably its greatest asset. If I had to pick out two highlights from the trip, I'd definitely start with Abel Tasman National Park (at the north tip of the S. Island). We spent the morning kayaking along the coast and then took a 3-hr. hike back through temperate rainforest (picture jurassic park minus the t-rex) with views of the beaches and aquamarine sea. That was arguably one of the most beautiful national parks I've seen. The other highlight would probably be the two days we spent in Kaikoura. In the morning, we walked along the coast when the tide was out, walked through a colony of fur seals, learned about the life hidden between the rocks and at one point almost witnessed our instructor try to wrangle an octopus out of the water. The next morning, we set out on a boat into the Pacific and dropped into the sea with snorkeling gear, wetsuits and about 3000 meters of water beneath us. Within minutes, we were surrounded by a pod of dusky dolphins zipping by us in almost every direction. In some cases, they would circle you and swim close enough to stare in the eye. It was pretty surreal but also somewhat overwhelming. Though our guides and boat were nearby, it was a bit cloudy/rainy that day and we couldn't see very far down into the water. Slightly unnerving was the thought that we were at the mercy of whatever lied beneath us (killer whales, great whites, and giant squids included)..but maybe I've been watching a little too much shark week. Anyways, if you ever find yourself in the S. hemisphere (or want to find a great winter study abroad program), AUIP's program is absolutely fantastic. After about 26 hours in airplanes and airports (a record?), I'm now back at home in Indiana adjusting the the snowy weather and anxiously awaiting the superbowl (go bears!). Also, if you want to see pictures, I just put some up on facebook. I'll be back with more soon (only two months until Tokyo!). Cheers~