Auckland Endings

Driving in Auckland was white knuckle time. It took us forever to figure out how to get on the road to our hotel going in the correct direction. We had a lot of luggage to unload and we needed to be by the front door. No easy feat. Our hotel was a highrise apartment overlooking the harbor. The views were amazing as you can see from this first image.

We decided to spend our time in Auckland on a walkabout. We toured the harbors and parks and the art museum.This boat is from Wisconsin, a long way from home but then so are we.

Of course we spotted Nike Town, a must for us in any large city. Auckland reminded me of St Louis when I was growing up. It seemed a blast from the past. They were preparing for Christmas but the store windows actually had beautiful window displays instead of gobs of merchandise. I loved this.

For our final evening in New Zealand, we had dinner in the Sky Tower. It's a whole lot like the Space Needle in Seattle. We are really glad we chose to do this as the views of the city were spectacular and so nice to see as the sun set.

New Zealand has been spectacular. So many cities, each with their own unique spin. I think the people of NZ are it's most significant asset. They are kind, they are fun, they are real. New Zealand, we love you and thanks for sharing you space and place with us!!!

Real Sheep Wear Fuschia?

I did not want to leave New Zealand until I had sheared a sheep. Really, that's not so odd. With time to kill because of canceled golf, we discovered Sheep World. Tell me, how could you miss this place with fuschia sheep out front. Talk about colorful marketing! We experienced the entire process. It begins with the dog whose job it is to round up the sheep. He does this without a word or is that a bark. He has good parenting skills. He turns them over to the dog who very noisily corrals the cowering sheep into the corner. Is this dad vs mom?

Then on to the shearing. Seems there is a spot on a sheep's side haunch that lulls him into oblivion. The shearer rotates him into this position and then with six swipes of his shears, the wool is off. No pain. Sheep eat more after they are sheared so, I guess it has its benefits.

Factoid: After the Gulf oil spill, grade B wool (the dirty outer layer) was sold to the clean up crew because sheep wool absorbs oil. Neat fact, HUH? And a good use for something that was not being used and was natural.

We woke up our day to play at Kauri Cliffs, truly one of the golf highlights of the trip, but we could not see the ocean across the street, it was so foggy. What a disappointment. We drove the 45 minutes to the course hoping it would be clearer up higher. Not so and no prediction that the front would move on. Lucky for us, the next morning was free. We changed plans and played the next day in a Portland mist. Bummer! But look at this scenery...oh my!

These trees are called Norfolk Island Pine. The fronds grow out in a star pattern which is so cool. They are found all over New Zealand. Totally, an amazing experience.

Gulf Harbor

Just north of Auckland is this little community. You can take a boat across to Auckland and many commuters do just that. The golf was difficult, a lot of side hill lies but the views were ocean bound and spectacular. The day was glorious.

Next stop on our way north was Paihia, pronounced Pie-hea. Our hotel was very contemporary and right on the coast but the days were so overcast, it was mostly lost for us. We noticed a road stop on the street below. It seems the police were giving a breathalyzer to everyone who passed by. Our driving was so bad and our wine consuption so good, we decided we better walk to dinner. The NZers would probably think we had too much to drink:).

One of the absolute highlights of this trip was this Catamaran ride on Lake Rotoiti. Fred, our host, had asked us what we wanted to do in Rotorua. We were tired and needed some down time. Rotorua is know for its mineral baths. He suggested a friend who runs a boat out to the local baths. He called the Captain and asked if he was running on this day. He said he could... Imagine our surprise when we showed up and we were the only passengers. Captain Matt took care of us. The boat is named Tiu, which means Runs with the Wind. Matt purchased it in the Mediterranean and sailed it across both oceans with a crew of four. What a great story!

Feet up. Oh so relaxed!

Fred shared with us the details of this walk, which we would pass on our home from the Katamaran ride. Imagine a Redwood forest so far from home.

The Rotorua Museum of Art and History wrapped our stay here. It was the right size and mix of NZ artists and culture. Loved it.

Phew! A respite!

Rotorua was a respite point for us. we were sort of tired of sight seeing and needed some down time. We found it here.

This was the hidden treasure. Meeting locals who had invested so much time into the Hamurana Lodge. Fred met us as we pulled in, offered us a glass of wine and shared the story of the lodge. We dined at their place and generally, they just made every arrangement we needed. Fred was the organizer; Alex, the environmentalist. He had the sheep and the organic garden. Fred knew all about the redwood forest and the Tiua...more to come on that one. Equal but complimentary partners in this business of theirs and they had a black lab. What's not to like about that!

They set us up with a dinner and show at the local Maori village. It was fun to learn about the Maori culture and lifestyle. Funny as it was, we sat with a young couple from Sweden. I wish I had taken their picture. There were so many young people traveling the world. They were mostly European.

Taupo on the Lake

We found Talpo with a bit of difficulty but enjoyed it immensely. Laid back but full of street art, I had fun with my camera.

Huka Falls was one of Taupo's claims to fame and so we just had to see it for ourselves. The Waikato River, which is generally 300 feet wide, is forced through a 50 foot chasm, which creates a ranging falls. In addition to producing hydroelectric power, the falls produces a boatload of fun as you can see.

A Walk Among Giants

A walk along Marine Parade Road was enjoyable. First because it was filled with outdoor art but especially because the best art was the ocean, lapping at the shore. Our destination was the Aquarium. These are most interesting when you are in a different hemisphere and continent. True to thought, it was filled with things we had never seen, including a dark area where nocturnal kiwi birds could be seen. It was state of the art and just generally an enjoyable museum.

Walking back along the shore, we discovered the Millennium sculpture. This is a simple disk on a curved bar that depicted where the sun broke the horizon on the first day of a new millennium. I loved it for all the reflection is contained.

And last, I continued my love affair with the Norfolk Island pines that were in abundance on this walk.

Napier = Art Deco

Seems there was a fire that burned most of the town to the ground in the 30's. Rebuilding was done in the art deco style of the time. It was funny to see an Office Depot with this facade. The architecture was colorful and delightful though we felt as if we had stepped into the past.

This city also had a lot of public art which was fun to look at and photograph. On this particular day, there was a protest. Moms and tots were decrying cutbacks in preschool programs. They marched down Main Street and on to the public square at oceanside. I guess governments the world over have fewer bucks than needs.

All in all, the town and day were perfect.

Golf High on the Cliffs at Cape Kidnappers

This is golf at it's finest. Getting here was a bit challenging as the gate was locked and rather hidden. Once we found it and were buzzed through, the drive to the top was about 8 miles long through wineries and sheep farms. How delightful is that!

Check out the views. Turquoise water lapping against rock cliffs. Sometimes the putting seemed as if we were putting off the cliffs. Sort of like an infinity pool. I am not sure what I paid more attention to--the golf or the photo opps. Unlike American golf course club houses, this one was very unobtrusive. It had what it needed and nothing more.

All in all, this was indeed a spectacular day!

Napier and the Wine Tours

After leaving Jan And Dave's place, we wandered up the road toward the seaside town of Napier. Rick is always willing to stop where ever so that I can snap photos. I kept noticing the California poppies (I wonder if they call them New Zealand poppies here) and loved the intense orange among so much green. We stopped. Rick kept noticing the utility poles made from plastic and we had to stop so that he could send an image to his buddy, Phil, who deals in wooden ones. And don't you just love the rolling hills of various green colors. Have you ever seen different shades of green that don't look just fabulous together?

And atlasta, we arrive in Napier and not to disappointment. Our hotel is right across from the beach and after exploring this a bit, Roland sohws up for our wine tour. He is a Brit who learned the wine trade in France but followed his girl to New Zealand. It was nice to have a guide who knew the wineries and was also our designated driver. We sampled all that we wanted.

He took us to five wineries, each different from the last. I love the decor and the displays as much as the wine. I learned that a rose bush is often planted at the end of each row because it will be the first indication of a pesticide problem. All in all, this was just a grand day!

Jan and Dave

Jan met us at the door with a bottle of wine and some snacks. Dave joined us and we chatted for a long while. They are such an interesting couple. Jan is the "Pioneer Woman" of New Zealand. Not only does she run a wonderful B&B, she is also a great cook and has cooking schools at her lodge with notable chefs. She prepared our dinner and then breakfast the next day. We totally loved this couple.

Dave is quite the gentleman rancher. Progressive in his thinking, he is returning the land to it's native state. First sheep and now dairy cows are a source of income. He treated us to a tour of his ranch. The cows were curious and marvelous.

Hiwinui Country Estate

One of the highlights of this trip was a stay at Dave and Jan Stewarts B&B. This couple is amazing. Jan's breakfast and dinners were delish and their hospitality second to none. We loved their place and had we known, would have stayed on.

We had a chance to walk the place and what fun was that. Sheep and ducks all waiting for mom and pop to bring on the goods. It is New Zealand at it's finest.

Paraparaumu--Easy for You to Say!

This was our first golf outing and for me it would prove to be the toughest. NZ courses are different than here. There was no driving range to speak of. We took a long drive out back and hit balls off of mats into a net. You had no idea how far you were hitting or even if you were accurate. At least we warmed up our golf muscles.

It was so windy that sometimes I felt like my drive landed behind the tee. Not really but sure seemed so. The locals knew to keep the ball low. It was men's day and I am pretty certain I was the only female at the course. Our hosts, Richard and Brian, were nice and friendly. Rick overwhelmed them with his game but they were underwhelmed by mine.

After lunch, we headed north east toward a town called Palmerston North. Rick is awesome about stopping along the way for me to snap photos. I love wind turbines andI share some with you here.

The New Zealand Government Hub

Wellington is the seat of the country's government and the Parliament complex was close by. The cabinet offices are located in a building whose architectural features and functionality give it the name "The Beehive".  We located this oh-so-fun pub restaurant called 'Backbenchers', whose claim to fame, besides all of the politicians who frequent it, is the caricatures hanging on the wall throughout. Gives a new meaning to "Big brother watching over you".

Loved the green cabs throughout Wellington. They were electirc and very quiet.

Wellington from the Air

Search for the cable car, we did. It took awhile as the sign was quite small and the entrance tucked between two buildings. A rather nondescript beginning. But oh the ride was fun. Rising up from the waterfront to the hills above, added a whole new dimension to the beauty of the view.

And then to find that a wander downhill through the Botanical garden brought us right back to our hotel. Just in time for a wine cocktail. Whoa, what a day!

The North Island begins...

We flew north to Wellington, picked up a rental and drove into the heart of the city. That was scary. After much angst, we found our hotel which was beautiful and over looked the water and the Botanical garden. Wandering along the waterfront called to us so off we went to see what we could see. Here it is folks.

Many diverse activities are happening here. We located a brew pub named Mac's and people watched while we ate. After, we found our way to the Te Papa Museum, which is the newest. It was amazing.

The day was grand, sunny and barely a cloud in the sky. The right way to begin our trek on the North Island.

Not Another...

I so loved this church. It is Gothic but in a stately way and elegant in every way. I simply loved it. It is sad to hear that they will deconsecrate it because it is too badly damaged to continue as a place of worship. My hope is that the Anglo church will find a way to help New Zealanders restore its beauty and functionality. Though I hear NZ had yet another earthquake today.  This image is as the sun was setting and a portion of it is covered in sunlight and another in the shadows. The steeple stand sno more and I hear that the rose window fell in last June. Oh my!

Art in the Gallery; Art in the Park

I walked down to the gallery by myself. Rick and Caite were tired of museums. I'm glad I did as one of the exhibits was "Blue" and the pieces were all different mediums but in the color blue. It was very cool!

Later I found these fountains in a park. There were a lot of them and they looked like dandelions. Totally fun! Totally fascinating. Couldn't get enough pictures.

I think that I shall never see...

Botanical Gardens often fascinate us. This one was no exception. The weather was grand here in Christchurch and this 160 acre park seemed to be the bridge to everywhere we needed or wanted to go. So we walked through it a lot and enjoyed it more each time. I have a lot of pictures and share them with you here.