John M | John McCalla | Travel Blog - Page 2

Page 2 of John M Travel Blog Posts

Day 1 - Arrival in Aruba

Oceans and Seas » Atlantic » Atlantis April 3rd 2017

Geo: 12.568, -70.0217... read more

North America » United States » Virginia » Richmond April 3rd 2017

Geo: 37.516, -77.5005... read more

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Auckland February 24th 2017

Geo: -36.8474, 174.766... read more

Sailing around the Islands

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Bay of Islands February 23rd 2017

R. Tucker Thompson at Russell Wharf

R. Tucker Thompson at Russell Wharf

R. Tucker Thompson at Russell Wharf

Geo: -35.1813, 174.199This morning, after breakfast at the hotel, we met the R. Tucker Thomas tall ship at the Russell wharf for a day long sail around the Bay of Islands. The weather was beautiful, 70 degrees in the morning to 76 degrees by mid-day. We saw dozens of dolphins jumping out of the water, we saw five penguins, and had a great day for sailing.This was our last day in New Zealand; head back home tomorrow. We have had unbelievable weather, which is apparently not typical. The locals were shocked that they had gone 5 days without rain in Doubtful Sound and Milford Sounds; we had none. There are no snakes, poisonous spiders, mosquitoes, or even poison ivy or oak in New Zealand. The only real pests that they have are sandflies; and they aren't ... read more

From the bowsprit

On to the Bay of Islands

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Bay of Islands February 22nd 2017

Bird on the beach

Bird on the beach

Bird on the beach

Geo: -35.1813, 174.199We stopped by Tahunanui Beach in Nelson in the morning before returning the rental car at the Nelson Airport. The car was returned scratch free after focusing on staying in the left lane for 3 days!Our flight took us from Nelson on to the Bay of Islands in the northern region of the North Island of New Zealand. We flew into Kerikeri, took a shuttle to the wharf in Paihia, and then a water taxi to Russell. The Bay of Islands is a subtropical micro-region known for its stunning beauty & history. For those that love beaches and water activities, it's paradise. It encompasses 144 islands between Cape Brett and the Purerua Peninsula and includes the boutique towns of Opua, Paihia, Russell and Kerikeri.We stayed at the Duke of Marlborough Hotel, which was the ... read more

Tahunanui Beach, Nelson, New Zealand

Tahunanui Beach, Nelson, New Zealand

Taking the water taxi to Russell

Relaxing at the Eco Lodge

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Nelson Region » Motueka February 21st 2017

Hiking around Motueka

Hiking around Motueka

Hiking around Motueka

Geo: -41.1101, 173.011We had a relaxing morning at the Resurgence Lodge. We then drove to the north coast of the South Island of New Zealand. We stopped at the Kaiteriteri, Marahau, and then for a hike in Abel Tasman National Park.... read more

Hiking around Motueka

Into the Bush Country

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Nelson Region » Motueka February 20th 2017

View from Resurgence

View from Resurgence

View from Resurgence

Geo: -41.1101, 173.011We left Queenstown this morning around 9:45 am, flew to Nelson, and rented a car for a 1 hour drive to the Resurgence Eco Lodge in Motueka. It was the only time that I have driven since we arrived in New Zealand on February 8th. It took a little concentration to make sure I drove on the left side of the road, but I pulled it off without a hitch.We hike around the 50 acre property and then had a nice 4-course dinner at the lodge. ... read more

View from Resurgence

View from Resurgence

Back to Queenstown

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Otago » Queenstown February 19th 2017

Previous evening at anchor in Milford Sound

Previous evening at anchor in Milford Sound

Previous evening at anchor in Milford Sound

Geo: -45.0311, 168.663We woke aboard the Milford Wanderer around 6:00 am. It was a little overcast but steadily clearing. We rose anchor around 7:00 am and headed out of Milford Sound to the Tasman Sea. Along the way we were joined by dozens of bottlenose dolphin surfing our bow wave. It was incredible.On the way back into the sound, we found the fur seals sunning on the rocks along shore. We arrived back to the dock around 9:15 am, and made the 3-1/2 hour trip back via motor coach, back to Queenstown. Once we we got back to Queenstown, we got a call from Sean and Mandy to let us know that Sean proposed and Mandy said "yes". We couldn't be happier. And, we are glad that we were back in Queenstown because they probably could ... read more

Morning at Milford Sound

Dolphins on the bow wave

Dolphins on the bow wave

Milford Sound Overnight Cruise

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Fiordland National Park » Milford Sound February 18th 2017

Te Anau Lake birds

Te Anau Lake birds

Te Anau Lake birds

Geo: -44.6698, 167.928Milford Sound was labelled by Rudyard Kipling as the "eighth natural wonder of the world". Sheer granite cliffs rise out of the inky blue waters while waterfalls cascade down from high above.We had a great time, once again. The weather was beautiful. We met a young German couple on our nature hike, and eat and drank with them until late into the night. We were the last ones to retire to our staterooms for the evening!... read more

Takahe bird - only about 500 remain

Backdrop to another Lord of the Rings scene

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Fiordland National Park » Te Anau February 17th 2017

Morning in Doubtful Sound

Morning in Doubtful Sound

Morning in Doubtful Sound

Geo: -45.4151, 167.718We woke this morning to a beautiful, clear day. The anchor was hoisted around 6:30 am and we continued to explore Doubtful Sound. Once again, we saw dolphins as they splashed around and visited the boat.In the afternoon, we made our way back to the dock, back on the motor coach, back on the ferry, and back on the second motor coach. But, this last leg was only about 15 minutes to Te Anau where we toured the glow worm caves. It was interesting, but a little too "commercial". There were metal scaffolds and walkways throughout, but the glow worms were cool. This species of glow worm is only found in New Zealand. They are about 1-1/2" long and regurgitate these "fishing lines" that can be up to 4" long, and hang down from ... read more

Morning in Doubtful Sound

These fiords are deep!

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