Home Sweet Van

After a week in a cabin with a kitchen and bathroom, we get to enjoy three weeks in a midget minivan as we drive across New Zealand. The VW Caddy comes fully equipped with a mini fridge, mp3 player, and a comfy fold down bed. We lovingly call it “Michelangelo TMNT” as it is our bright orange home that resembles a turtle shell.

Our first stop takes us to Akaroa for some beautiful scenery and a chance to swim with the smallest dolphins in the world, Hector’s dolphins. Passing through the lush green winding roads atop the mountains we begin to feel like we are at Middle Earth, like Lord of the Rings. Supposedly parts of the trilogy were shot around here. Atop the mountain sides fluffy sheep dot the slopes that form into a valley and surround the bays.

In the morning we prepared ourselves for the 50 degree water that we would soon be swimming in with the dolphins. Trying not to think about it we waddled down the pier in our “snug” wetsuits and boarded the vessel for the two hour quest for Hector’s dolphins. In the end we were unsuccessful, though not completely disappointed that we didn’t have to get in the water. Hopefully we can see them again as there are a few other places in New Zealand.