 4 Days of March in the South Island, Part I: New Zealand Photography: Photos 42 to 63 |
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4 Days of March in the South Island, Part I: New Zealand Photography: Photos 42 to 63
Oceania » New Zealand » South Island
March 6th 2006 by Stephen Paul
Day 1- Wellington to Picton over the Ferry. Drive to St. Arnaud
Day 2- Alpine Hiking in Nelson Lakes National Park
Day 3- River Rafting the Buller River, Maruia Hot Springs
Day 4- Driving West Coast from Pancake Rocks to Fox Glacier
Day 1- Wellington felt strikingly like San Francisco. If I knew nothing about its long history of earthquakes, maritime climate or its lively arts scene- I would still feel the same way. The people I saw were either young professionals or students. Everyone was trendy and lots of people were on the streets, giving the feeling of being downtown in NYC or SF. The skyscrapers of Central Wellington are crammed in between steep hills and the ocean. The surrounding geography lends itself to this layout as well, causing Wellington to have the highest property prices in the country. As the areas suitable for house building are harder to come by and farther away from the city center, traffic congests freeways and the property prices skyrocket- compounding the traffic problems further as more commuters settle in cheaper areas to raise their families. I approached Wellington from the North, and passed through many of these suburbs. It had a
Full Text Entry: 4 Days of March in the South Island, Part I: New Zealand Photography
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May 17th 2006 - Janet Villadsen: Amazing
I am so impressed with your pictures, travel descriptions, and the way you made it feel like I was there. You are very talented, Stephen. I wish I could travel with you sometime.
May 17th 2006 - Todd Davis: Spot On
Janet is right, Stephen you do have a real gift. Your photography tells me you have the eye. Your narative is inviting as well. I feel like I'm there or at least want to go. Many thanks.
Thank you both so much for your kind words. I look forward to posting, and travelling, more!
December 3rd 2007 - Ed:
As a homesick Kiwi living in California for the last 21 years, your travelogue Steven made feel strongly connected to New Zealand again. The photography is beautiful and you have captured that amazing New Zealand light, thanks Ed in Alameda, California.
I wish I was a homesick Californian living in the South island! Thank you so much, compliments like yours are the best I could ever hope to receive...
August 4th 2008 - leigh: Hi from Blenheim
Hi there Steven, came across your blog while looking up an image of Beech. I am blessed to live in Blenheim (the boring place! lol). I'm a Kiwi, New to the South, and love the Place's you describe, the majistic sky at the lake I was lucky to experience, I have never seen so many stars, I am off there again soon to tramp and can't wait.
The more I reflect, the more I realize I would like nothing more than to settle down in Blenheim! One of the top 3 places with the most sunshine, less than an hours drive to the ocean and the alpine mountains, good wine... :) Boring? Perhaps. A fantastic place to live? YES!
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Day 3-Buller River Rafting
Today was River Rafting Day! I was up at 6am, grazing on yogurt while the sheep grazed on grass. Weather: overcast and moist, clearing by mid-morning.
Welcome to the Buller River
The Buller River is the Fifth largest river in New Zealand. Its also the largest wild river left in New Zealand, meaning it has not been dammed along its entire 150 km length.
Ultimate Descents
The Ultimate Descents guide was a crazy red bearded river expert! Here catches the lip of the boat on a rapid edge, filling the boat until it flips!
Buller River
I went on two trips, 3 hours each. Spent an amazing day on the river... Now, a drive to Maruia Hot Springs
Maruia River Valley
The Scenery became steep again. the Southern Alps are dominating North and South- Milford Sound is over 300 miles south of here.
Maruia Hot Springs
The resort was perfect, not overly developed and not too rustic, Set in the thick Southern Beech forest.
Maruia Hot Pool
The tubs were crafted from native rock and the entire resort was Japanese themed. I spent over an hour in the pools at midnight and stargazed. It was not only late in the tourist season but a weekni... [more]
Lower Buller River
The river descended to the ocean and it got much warmer. Forest was getting more varied and the river flattened out.
Northwest Coast, South Island
Once I got to the Tasman Sea it was warm and humid, sunny and overcast. The dense forest of tree ferns and native trees had a swampy feel like Louisiana.
7 Comments - Add Public Comment or Send Private Message
May 17th 2006 - Janet Villadsen: Amazing
I am so impressed with your pictures, travel descriptions, and the way you made it feel like I was there. You are very talented, Stephen. I wish I could travel with you sometime.
May 17th 2006 - Todd Davis: Spot On
Janet is right, Stephen you do have a real gift. Your photography tells me you have the eye. Your narative is inviting as well. I feel like I'm there or at least want to go. Many thanks.
Thank you both so much for your kind words. I look forward to posting, and travelling, more!
December 3rd 2007 - Ed:
As a homesick Kiwi living in California for the last 21 years, your travelogue Steven made feel strongly connected to New Zealand again. The photography is beautiful and you have captured that amazing New Zealand light, thanks Ed in Alameda, California.
I wish I was a homesick Californian living in the South island! Thank you so much, compliments like yours are the best I could ever hope to receive...
August 4th 2008 - leigh: Hi from Blenheim
Hi there Steven, came across your blog while looking up an image of Beech. I am blessed to live in Blenheim (the boring place! lol). I'm a Kiwi, New to the South, and love the Place's you describe, the majistic sky at the lake I was lucky to experience, I have never seen so many stars, I am off there again soon to tramp and can't wait.
The more I reflect, the more I realize I would like nothing more than to settle down in Blenheim! One of the top 3 places with the most sunshine, less than an hours drive to the ocean and the alpine mountains, good wine... :) Boring? Perhaps. A fantastic place to live? YES!
All Comments
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