Akaroa and Trans Alpine Train

Hi! Well our South Island adventures are almost over, we leave for Auckland tomorrow morning. We took a few more day trips this week and wow it is so beautiful here. Monday We went to Akaroa (top) and I went swimming with dolphins- small ones called Hector's Dolphins. They were about 4 feet long and very cute. They were curious and swam around us alot. The water was freezing cold but I was so excited I didnt notice! We also went to a cheese factory and a winery in Akaroa and Mom bought a bottle of Pinot Noir which we drank last night. It was so beautiful and a really nice day- around 70 and sunny. We see sheep everywhere we go, its amazing!
Yesterday we went on the Trans Alpine train across the Alps. It was a long day, 4 hours there and 4 hours back but the scenery was beautiful. All surrounding the mountains were gorgeous rivers, lakes, wildflowers, sheep, and very small towns (one town had a pop. of 50). Even though it is summer here, some of the mountains still had snow on them (bottom). Today we are just staying around Christchurch and getting ready for Auckland tomorrow becuase it will be a busy 3 days and then we are off to Fiji, which I am pumped about. Hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the mild winter weather New England has been having! Miss you all....