Hanmer Springs

We were very sad to leave Mark and Maria, but we had other adventures to go on! We left their place on March 23rd, Hannah's birthday was the next day, so we wanted to plan something fun! We ended up going to a small town called Hanmer Springs. It's known for its natural hot pools which are used by a resort. People from all over NZ come to enjoy them.

On Monday (23rd) we arrived there and decided to head right to the springs. There were lots of different pools, ranging from 36c to 42c (about 96-107 degrees F). One of the pools was a sulfur pool and it was unfiltered, so there were all sorts of things from the ground floating around, it sounds gross, but it was pretty cool! (Minus the smell). 

One of the pools, this one had massage jets all along the walls. 

The next day was Hannah's birthday! We started the day getting Hannah a bowl of coffee and a muffin. 

Even with squinty eyes, she looks happy! 

In the afternoon we booked some horseback riding. It was a PERFECT day for it! We were also the only two people, so it was just us and the guide, that made it especially fun! 

The views along the ride were amazing!

Since it was just Hannah, myself and the guide, the guide let us canter along part of the trail. Neither of us are terribly experienced, but we were both up for it! We all started cantering away, I was very focused with hanging on with my thighs and controlling the reigns that i wasn't paying attention to our guide who was yelling. Once I got to the top of the hill, I turned around and Hannah was off her horse... Laying on the ground, she had fallen off the horse... I asked if she was okay, and like the champ, she stood up and got right back on the horse without a second thought! 

Nothing but a small scratch! 

View from the top of the hill

The next day we went on a hike on one of the many trails around Hanmer Springs. I didn't get any pictures, so you'll have to take my word for it that it was beautiful! 

The few days in Hanmer were very relaxing, we were able to read a lot and take some naps! On the 26th, we will hitch hike to Blenheim, which is in the northern part of the south island. We are scheduled to work one or two weeks on another farm. It'll be interesting to see what they will have in store for us!