Picasa Album - NZ 2013

Hi,

Check out this Picasa album - NZ 2013.

https://picasaweb.google.com/103770368591654616256/NZ201302

Sent via Web Albums App

Selected photographs from our recent holiday in New Zealand's South Island.
Enjoy.

Rob V.

The Last Word

Sitting in the Departure Lounge at Christchurch Airport after a stroll around the Red Zone. We've had another great holiday - just need the plane to stay in the air till Sydney. We're both looking forward to home. I thought the last word should go to Tess, so here goes. (invited 1.34pm)
- PS She let me down so months later, here are some of my favourite shots from poor old Christchurch.



The symbol of hope, or something like that. Will search for info.


Christchurch Cathedral, April, 2013. Will dig up a photo from our visit in 2009.


Cafe in a Container.



Poor old Christchurch:-(



Akaroa pets


More container shops.

Location:Perimeter Rd,Christchurch,New Zealand

Last Entry!

Due to typical wifi difficulties encountered in our travels, yesterday's witty collection of comments (including two pet pictures to die for but too expensive to send) has been delayed until today, our last of an excellent holiday.
The day dawned with low cloud - not what I call overcast as I think it is a New Zealand thing, this thick cloud hanging over any high ground.

I meant to get out on a sailing boat - modeled on the one that one the Hobart in 1946 - and I woke early enough (hate doonas!) but my body chose to lie in bed until it was really too late for a 10.15 boarding.

Chatted to the owner in the afternoon. Only needs two to sail but can take 20 when it's blowing hard:) Catch him soon!

So we spent an indulgent day in our room with a view of the harbour and surrounding hills - real Middle Earth stuff. Me reading GAme of Thrones (don't bother as it's the same as the TV show) and Tess reading (Many Coloured Land again) and drawing.

Finally, after finishing some of the food we have to leave behind for lunch, we ventured out. Happy Hour is at 5 and our hostess has recommended a little bistro nearby for our final NZ dinner. Tess loved the dining experience in Geraldine. Helpings were huge (need a doggy bag) and waitress knowledgeable about the wine list.

So below is yesterday's entry, minus the pics. That can wait till we hit home on Wednesday.
Cheers,

Relaxing wuth (I was going to correct but then I thought, it's how I've heard it for 2 weeks) an elevated view of Akaroa Harbour. I do have a deadline - happy hour is 7 minutes away. The land of the long white cloud has lived up to its name today but much less rain than yesterday.

The drive from Geraldine along scenic route 72 was a gem - farmland nestled beneath towering hills and in the distance, snow capped mountains.

It changed with our descent into the Rakaia Gorge. Recognized by IPENZ, the one lane bridge across the river was built in 1882. I'm glad no trucks or motorhomes crossed while we snapped our pictures

We were now in flat country with long straight roads which eventually lead back to Highway 1. The low cloud spoilt our descent into the harbour - compared with summer 2009 - but at least down here we are below it.

I may go for a sail on the harbour tomorrow, weather permiting.

The hotel dog is called Mista and the persian pussy is Jasmine. Both elderly pets. I will post pictures of Honey from Dunedin as well.


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Location:Rue Lavaud,Akaroa,New Zealand

Routeburn 2 - the Sequel

The road to Glenorchy





On the road to the Routeburn Track



Lots of motorhomes



The Dart River and Valley



And RMBs



Beginnings



Beech Forests



And waterfalls






A loo with a view!



Proof I made it past



As far as I walked



More than some!!



Leaving the Routeburn



And the road back to Q
- Lots more on Picassa soon.

Location:Mt Aspiring Ranges

People and Places

This entry is a work in progress, recording the sights and stories of our trip up the east coast of North America in Fall 2012.

Morten and Hans Worm, from a small village in Denmark with a remarkable history. Hans left behind his twin brother and was born in 1929, while Morten was born in 1933. Their village was occupied by the Germans during the war and they regard their British liberators as heroes - saved from the Russians. The Worm brothers are both doctors and inherited their father's general practice - he served on a hospital ship during the Korean War and probably helped some fleeing Germans suffering at the end of the war. Hans married a doctor so medicine is in the family. They live in the same house they were born in. Lovely people as Danes seem to be.

Met Ray, the gas station owner in Lakeview, New Orleans as we filled up ahead of our trip to Grand Isle. He stayed on after Katrina and has 6 workshops and 1000 regulars. The pace is much slower down in the SOuth. We were passed by a pickup but met it again, stopped at the toll booth - he had stopped to chat to the attendant. Re-started when he saw us behind and slowly went on his way. Not in hectic Sydney.

Boston - City of Camrys. Not Churches. The cab of choice here is the camry hybrid. They're everywhere! Low polluting but if you need a big boot (trunk), get the petrol (gas) version like the one that took us to Logan airport. Batteries take up too much space in the hybrid. I always thought the Camry would be the only car made - to save on duplication - if I ruled the world. Does everything you ever need in a car. Not as sexy as a Ferrari.

Sister Helen Prejean - Rose's employer/patron and Nobel Laureate for her work opposing the death penalty - as depicted in "Dead Men Walking". She visited late last night on her way home from one of the 100 speaking engagements she makes in a year.

Dunedin - Oamaru - Geraldine

Anywhere NZ


Settled in to our modern motel room after 6 hours on the road. An unnecessary return visit to Portabello to retrieve my spectacles added to the drive, made worse by appalling weather. The drive on highway S1 has been dangerous and tiring due to driving rain, strong winds and poor visibility, especially when passed by B-Doubles. I have not been impressed by the lack of concern or consideration shown by Kiwi truckies - I'm alright Jack seems the motto.


I foolishly tried to see the Moeraki Marbles - actually large boulders which were 10 wet minutes up the beach. Here's the sign.


The highlight was definitely a brief damp lunch stop in the historic quarter of Oamaru. A lovely collection of Georgian (?) buildings remain from the port's agricultural past.



We ate in the Criterion Hotel. To the right of this photo.


Here is the bar.


Behind the main road was a cobbled laneway with lots more charming buildings.


I wanted to visit the Steampunk museum but the weather was not cooperating. Worth a longer return visit.



The rain continued all the way through Timaru and as we checked in here. Geraldine is on the Tekapo/Mt. Cook route and seemed a good place to stop before Akaroa tomorrow. Bit of traffic noise but at last free wifi! Tess is busy with her words. I am importing some Routeburn photos which were on another card.


I seem to have reached the limit of uploading from blogpress so will seek other ways to share pictures. Dunedin was picturesque yesterday before the rain.


Another road shot, not sure exactly where. Any ideas???

Looking forward to our two nights in Akaroa.




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Location:Waihi Terrace,Geraldine,New Zealand

Routeburn 2 - the Sequel

The road to Glenorchy





On the road to the Routeburn Track















- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Mt Aspiring Ranges

Dunedin and Otago Peninsula

I think I like this city even if we met under grey skies and cold winds. Max. of 10 today and most of the places on the Otago Peninsula were closer to 6C.
Left my expensive glasses at the Penguin cafe, Portobello where we breakfasted. Nice coffee.

Yet another wonderful Kiwi road precariously perched beside the Otago Harbour. Our RTA/RMS would have ruined the view with armco railings. As it was, I had to concentrate to much on driving, which brings me to one whinge: photography.

I remember the old aphorism about the amateur photographer taking a moment and missing the shot while the pro takes the moment. As I concentrate on the road, I watch Tess see a great shot and either fumble with the damn modern camera or take a completely different shot that attracted her. I suppose I could let her drive!

One of hers

And another

Taiaroa Head

Royal Albatross Centre (as in, this is one of their photos)

A sign Tess took

I insisted on this shot but a bit earlier when the roots were more striking!

On our return to Dunedin we drove high into the hills to Signal Point Lookout

with peculiar statues. We piked climbing Baldwin Street.

In the evening we wandered through the campus of the University of Otago

Very nice

Especially in Autumn



Lots of watering holes in this young Uni town

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Location:Queen St,Dunedin,New Zealand