We left Nelson in the afternoon on December 5th and headed towards Christchurch. The blur of green to be seen out of the passenger side window confirmed what we had been suspecting all along, spring had finally sprung!  The drive was absolutely enchanting through the wild-flowered mountains, as we wound up and down each and slinked along the many rivers and streams along the way.  The colors were inspiring.  The feeling we got from seeing simple patches of flowers all over connected us with the beauty of the season and the universe simultaneously.  The rivers and streams ran a clear turquoise blue and were guided through the mountains as were we.

 The Buller Gorge area is a car stopper it's so picturesque, however, we were on a mission and there would be no stopping there today.  We promised ourselves we would stop on the way back or come again on our next trip.  We took a photo where the canopy of trees caused the light to hit the bark just right and the bark turned black, white and grey.  The beauty was penetrating our very beings as we sped past it all.  We began to realize that New Zealand is quite a powerful place, like India or Peru.  The way the sun was glistening on the rivers and streams made you soak up the energy.  The vast forests all around us were full, lush and green, oh so green!  Many sheep, cattle and goats in the pastures make you wonder how much has changed here in NZ over the past 50 years...  probably not as much as we think.  

If you're pondering whether or not we're joking, stop in Murchison and go to the hotel there with the cafe in the bottom.  You'll see what I mean.  Old time friendly service and a righteous hot cocoa and mochachino!