March 2, 2016. On towards Australia

Today is our last day on New Zealand's South Island.  

We organized the campervan at the RV park in Christchurch, dropped it off, then flew out of Christchurch to Auckland, on the North Island.

We have spent the last month in New Zealand.  The first week was in Auckland with our friends, then 3 weeks traveling around the South Island in our rented campervan.   We started in Christchurch, traveled clockwise around the island perimeter 3500 kms (about 2000 miles) then ended in Christchurch.

We have really loved the trip.  These sheep were a constant sight as we traveled each day.

I will also remember the beautiful tall, groomed  hedges around farms....

But mostly, we will remember the kind people.  Whenever we looked a bit lost or confused, someone would approach us offering assistance.  People seem upbeat, polite and cultured.  We are even learning the language!  New Zealand is really set up well for travelers, especially those on a budget.  There are hundreds of inexpensive, tidy  backpackers' hotels, plenty of immaculate public toilets, and great signage, handily pointing out villages' libraries, all with free wifi.     

We arrived in Auckland and walked to a nearby hotel.  Ate a snack in the room, and went to bed early for an early morning flight to Australia.