Blogs from Waikato, North Island, New Zealand, Oceania - page 3

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Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Waikato September 2nd 2015

Warning, this might be a long entry. A lot has happened in the last week. Perhaps I should update more frequently than weekly. Last week Tuesday I got a massage at a business that is dangerously close to my apartment. It was a great way to loosen up after the long plane ride and adjusting to my new settings here. For the first couple weeks here I had trouble with some dizziness/nausea, but the massage and kicking my cold to the curb has cleared that up thankfully. No, I'm not pregnant. Had to say that because I'm sure it'll cross someone's mind. Also on Tuesday, one of Paul's coworkers' wives invited me over for tea. Her name is Rachel and thankfully she lives in town, so close, but far enough to drive to and it was ... read more
Angus and Mom
Sheep on Mt Maunganui
twin lambs on Mt Maunganui

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Waikato August 24th 2015

I have been here for a full week now and I'm not going stir crazy yet. We have a TV, but not cable/antenna yet, but I hook my computer up to the TV and have watched some Netflix. Paul showed me how to use Chrome Hola so I can watch US TV with Hulu. Kitty and Carrie-I have to catch up on Bachelor Pad and then call you to talk about all the drama! :) Our SkyTV gets installed Thursday and Paul subscribed to the sports package so I can watch Monday Night Football. I'll be sure to wear my Packers' Nelson jersey Tuesday afternoons when I watch the games live. I'm saddened much like the rest of WI with Jordy's injury, but I'll be cheering the Pack on from afar. I just googled the closest ... read more
Tramping 1 - Kahikatea Tree route 2
Tramping 1 - Kahikatea Tree route 3
Tramping 1 - Kahikatea Tree route 4

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Waikato » Cambridge August 17th 2015

A lot has happened since my last post and last visit to New Zealand. Back in Wisconsin, Paul and I had some difficult decisions to make regarding our move, our house, and our cats. After much deliberation, we decided to give our wonderful cats, Bagheera and Zoe, to Paul's Aunt Kathy. She adopted them and she has been taking great care of them. It wasn't easy saying goodbye, but knowing they're with family and with someone that will take good care of them made it easier. We also decided to sell our house. Paul moved to New Zealand to start his new position on June 25th. We had a little going away party and it was so nice to see everyone before Paul left. With Paul in NZ, I was left in WI to finish up ... read more

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Waikato » Hamilton February 14th 2015

Geo: -37.7871, 175.283There wasn't going to be a New Zealand blog because this is our fourth visit and we are staying with Beverley and Richard again for much of the time.I have blogged about it before and I have been lazy here while Richard and Jim go off to chop down trees, dig out thistles or move the cows. I leave such jobs to them! However we managed to find a few new things to do which we wanted to share so I am pulling myself together.Last visit we went to South Island but missed it's most well known area, the Sounds. It is a long drive from Hamilton approximately 1500 kilometres to Te Anau, close to Milford Sound. We had only a week for the whole trip as that was the maximum time Beverley could ... read more
Mount Cook peeping above the clouds
Reflection Lake
Another Reflection Lake

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Waikato February 16th 2014

Sobald das Auto vollständig ausgestattet ist, alle nötigen Vorbereitungen getroffen sind und auch die Pläne wie es wann wohin gehen soll, geht es los. Es ist ein recht merkwürdiger Moment, als ich den Van, den ich übrigens Kahurangi (Maori für "Alte Dame") getauft habe, rückwärts aus der Einfahrt des Hostels, in dem ich mich über zwei Wochen eingelebt habe, setzte. Paul, ein junggebliebener Halb-Maori und Tony, der einizge Angestellte des Besitzers Jack, verabschieden mich. Auch Loic, ein Belgier, mit dem ich eine regelrechte Billiardfreundschaft aufgebaut habe, ist dabei. Ich lenke ein und gebe Gas - weg. Allein und auf der Straße. Auf dem Weg in Richtung Abenteuer und in die Ungewissheit. Irgendwie spannend. Ich entscheide mich für den Highway 12 über Kawakawa. Dort stehen die Hundertwasser Toilets. Eine Spur von Kultur hier in diesem Land, das ... read more
Te Mahua Ngatere
Ein paar Infos dazu.

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Waikato December 16th 2013

Zondag 15 December 2013: Na men laat inslapen van de dag ervoor ontwaak ik moeizaam. ‘s morgens zie ik Sam nog even en ontbijt dan op het gemakje. Ondertussen heb ik 2 negatieve antwoorden gekregen voor men Warmshowers in Papakura. Ik vind nog iemand op Couhsurfing die ik mail. Ik heb nog een camping achter de rug maar die ligt een beetje uit de richting. Tegen de middag vertrek ik, ik zie Katie nog even. De eerste stop is de haven van Devonport, dit is 12km en gaat best langs drukkere banen. Aangekomen in de terminal moet ik nog een kwartiertje wachten. Op de ferry houd ik men fiets maar vast want het fietsenrek lijkt weinig stabiel. Er staat nog een fiets naast me met een Brooks-zadel. Ik zie een andere fietser met een petje van ... read more

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Waikato » Hamilton March 30th 2013

Geo: -37.7871, 175.283Fiji 27th February - 28th MarchBula, as they say in Fiji. (Welcome/hello)Sorry I keep changing from present to past tense in the blog but I passed time when it was raining by writing in situ so was describing what was happening around me. We flew into the capital Nadi (pronounced Nandy) and were collected at the airport by a Bamboo Hostel staff member who put us in a taxi to the hostel with another guest, as a few people had arrived on the same flight, so the journey was quick and easy. Bamboo provided a twin room but only shared bathrooms. The facilities were such that despite being a very friendly and relaxed place, we would only stay there 1 night.It was lovo night, a traditional meal cooked in the ground so we put ... read more
The beach at MacDonalds
The hammock - our favourite place
Jim working hard enjoying himself

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Waikato » Putaruru March 26th 2013

So here I am, finally setting my foot on the continent of New Zealand. Everything was so unexpected and weird things kept popping up. I guess that's just how life is, right? I've been helping out at a motel in Putaruru in the end, not so bad, huh? I made the bed and did a bit of cleaning every day, not really hard work. Then I'd have my half day off, browsing the internet and planning on my next trip in Australia. If I get lucky, my host Ronnie would drive me to some nearby sightseeing spots. A few days ago, he dropped my off at Te Waihou Walkway and the Blue Spring. I went hiking on my own for around two hours. The scenery up there was spectacular. I don't believe I've seen anything quite ... read more
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Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Waikato » Putaruru March 16th 2013

So it has been quite some time since I started and subsequently stopped blogging our adventures in Texas. We have been home to NZ and back again and are now awaiting the delayed arrival of papers for visas and our next return. But first perhaps I should give a quick rundown of the last year or so since writing....I survived and as it turns out, enjoyed our first trip to Dalhart Texas. Met some great people, experienced some great adventures and pretty much grew up a whole lot! Bought two caddilacs, drove one across America and shipped em home to NZ. 2012 we returned to work another few months then spent a week in London with family, week in Wales and Frodsham, England with friends followed by three glorious weeks in South France. The three days ... read more

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Waikato » Hamilton February 20th 2013

Geo: -37.7871, 175.283Sydney 31st Jan to 27th Feb Hamilton, New Zealand Our last couple of days in Sydney passed quickly. We spent one day sightseeing before cleaning the van ready for returning it to Travellers Autobarn. When we arrived there I gave a list of things that didn't work or needed replacing in the van. The guy checking the van was very pleasant and when I gave him the list he said, "My girlfriend is always writing lists too" so I thought he would just bin it but later we had to go to the HQ along the road and the list was already with the man there. He did say he would arrange the refund for time off the road.We went to the HQ to see if we could amend our booking for the next trip, ... read more
Contrast of old and new in Sydney
Opera House from Ferry
Manly Beach across the Harbour




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