Click here for photos, then hit the button at the top.

Christchurch was our first port of call in New Zealand, and things got off to a really good start when we met the friendliest immigration and customs officials at the airport.

Pretty soon though, we realised that we had to get things done before we could set off. For one, the temperature was a lot lower than where we had come from before...probably had something to do with all that cold white stuff lying all over the place...."uh...is that snow?"

Once we rented our little car, quite literally called "El Cheapo" we were off to explore the coastline and interior up to Mount Cook.

Mount Cook is the highest peak in Kiwiland, and what a stunning drive up to it. We were pulling the car over every two minutes to take another photo - get your fill of mountains and lakes here because this is just the start!