Perth, Western Australia From New Zealand, back to Australia... this time on the West Coast and the Indian Ocean. Perth is the 4th largest city in Australia with a population of just over 1.5 million. The December temperatures while I was there shot up to the mid 30s C (90s F), and it felt strange to see Christmas decorations in such hot weather! [View Full Entry]

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My last few days in New Zealand... From Mt. Cook, I drove up to Hanmer Springs, where I soaked in thermal pools and hiked in a forest of redwoods and evergreen trees (all planted many years ago). Then I headed to Kaikoura on the East Coast, where I went kayaking in the Pacific Ocean. The next day, I drove down the coast to Christchurch for one day in the historic English-style city. I took a walk through the famous Botanic Gardens in the rain and got a quick tour of the coast from my new local friend, John, whom I'd met [View Full Entry]

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Mt. Cook and the Southern Alps from Above and Below Mt. Cook is New Zealand's Highest Peak at 12,349 ft (3,754 m). I took a scenic flight in a small plane over the Southern Alps and Mt. Cook from Wanaka two weeks earlier (45 minutes to the south by air). I included those photos in this entry, as well as my photos from hiking in Mt. Cook National Park. The Māori people of New Zealand named this mountian "Aoraki," or "Cloud Piercer." Glimpses of the peak are rare, since it's usually surrounded by clouds. I was very lucky to catch these [View Full Entry]

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They say the town of Wanaka is a great alternative to busy Queenstown... I arrived via the scenic Haast Pass from the West Coast, and decided to stay a few nights in this tranquil village by the lake. The area reminded me of a mellow version of Lake Chelan back in Washington State. Lots of outdoor recreation, including hiking, boating, camping and skiing in the winter. I drove up into the mountains about an hour away from town, and took a 3-hr hike to view the Rob Roy Glacier. On the way there, I drove through lush green hills and pastures. [View Full Entry]

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Rain in the forecast and bitter cold nights... I was undecided as to whether I should hike the Routeburn Track... And then I talked with a former ranger who had spent several years working in the huts, and she told me I could rent a Gortex jacket, trekking pole, and just about anything else I would need for the hike. So I decided this was an experience I couldn't pass up. The first day poured rain and the waterproof jacket paid off in big dividends. Other than unpredictable weather, New Zealand is a hiker's dream. No snakes, bears or preditor animals! [View Full Entry]

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Adventure Capital of the World I'm madly trying to catch up on my blog, so I'm posting two entries today. There's so much to see in New Zealand! [View Full Entry]

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Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound Early explorers incorrectly named the fiords in this area "Sounds." They are actually "Fiords" that were gouged out by glaciers and flooded by the sea when the glaciers later receded. Milford Sound is regarded as one of the scenic wonders of the world, and not to be missed during a visit to New Zealand. But many Kiwis regard Doubtful Sound as even more scenic, and because it's more remote, it receives fewer tourists than Milford Sound. I was fortunate enough to experience a day cruise on Doubtful Sound, but one experience I want to have when [View Full Entry]

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The West Coast District of the South Island Packs in Variety, from Rugged Coastlines to Mountain Glaciers In one day, was able to walk through a dense rain forest, sit on a deserted ocean beach, and peer up at a mountain glacier in the Southern Alps! Here is a sampling of my time on the West Coast... [View Full Entry]

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Queen Charlotte Track This is an easy 3-5-day hike with stunning Marlborough Sounds views. It's located at the top of New Zealand's South Island, near the harbour where the ferry comes in from the north island. I took a small taxi boat to the end of the track and hiked back toward the harbour. Besides the views, the best part was that I didn't have to carry food or luggage. There are several lodges along the track with restaurants and little shops, and the taxi boat transferred my luggage from point to point for me each day! They make it so [View Full Entry]

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The South Island of New Zealand... I flew from Auckland on the North Island to Nelson on the South Island. Nelson is located in the top section of the South Island. It's a center for arts and crafts, and a great base for hiking the famous Abel Tasman Track. Heather and George were kind enough to pick me up at the airport and host me at their house for a week. George's son, Nigel is married to my college friend, Marjie. Heather introduced me to "white bait" fritters, a delicacy in New Zealand and homemade "pavlova" for dessert. George is [View Full Entry]

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