Blogs from South Island, New Zealand, Oceania - page 1176

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Christchurch May 11th 2004

Well I thought I would try this online journal thing and I'm quite excited. I've started it late considering I'm staying here for over a year but I thought I would go back and put some pictures on so everyone can see my journey's. I am living here in Christchurch and attending Christchurch College of Education. However, one of the primary reasons for travelling so far for college was to get outdoors and adventure. I intend to keep that in mind and am planning various adventures for the coming year. So far I'm missing friends and families. My lovely family in Daegu, Korea was amazing to me and I miss the love everyday. But I've found some amazing flatmates and a good city. I'll explore from here. New Zealand is beautiful and the people are friendly. ... read more

going south!

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Abel Tasman National Park April 22nd 2004

Milford sound

traveljob

what a brilliant country this is! Tramping New Zealand, going everywhere to see everything! from Abel Tasman national park with its golden beaches To the mud holes at Stewart Island with its Kiwi's (birds) and in between you'll swim with dolfins and pinguins! you tramp the routeburn and kepler or milford and much more tracks, see Milford sound (not doubtfull robbie) windswept trees and albatrosses with sealions, just a few meters away! Don't forget about the yellow eyed pinguin (this can only be seen here, blablablabla) climb some glaciers and work on a farm to cut some oat! and in between you live with a familie and you'll walk the dog for them or chop some wood for the fire place to get a free meal! Isn't live just brilliant!... read more

Omarama to Dunedin

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Dunedin March 5th 2004

Lake Benmore

2012moreen

A beautiful sunrise greeted us this morning, as we made our way to the hotel restaurant for an early buffet breakfast. It had been a clear, chilly night, and promised to be a nice morning. After breakfast, we started the drive to Dunedin. We drove past Lake Benmore, and stopped at the Benmore Dam which is used for hydro-power. Following the Waitaki River to the coast, we stopped for morning tea at Moeraki Boulders. A sea mist started rolling in, and turned the day a little bleak. We arrived into Dunedin at about lunchtime. After taking some photos of the town, and particularly the Railway Station, and a lunch of wedges with salsa, bacon and melted cheese, we hopped onto the coach and headed for Olveston House – a grand old home. When we arrived at ... read more

Christchurch to Omarama

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Canterbury Plains March 4th 2004

Canterbury Plains

2012moreen

An early start today, as we made our way on to the coach. It was all a bit exciting as we hit the road. We started with a drive around Christchurch, and the weather was fine this morning. After a stop at “Mona Vale”, a lovely garden, we headed off to the Canterbury Plains. As we drove along, the clouds began to disappear and the sun peeped through. The Canterbury Plains went on and on for miles, with large hedges cut from rows of full-sized pine trees, used to protect livestock from the severe winter winds. In the distance to the west we could see the mountains getting closer, with a few being snow-covered. A stop for morning tea and some shopping at the "Tin Shed", then it was off to Lake Tekapo. We stopped to ... read more

Christchurch

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Christchurch March 3rd 2004

Kingsgate Autolodge in Papanui

2012moreen

We awoke this morning to a cold, wintry day. After a breakfast of Mexican Omelette at Sophie’s Restaurant down the street, we caught the local bus into town. We wandered around Cathedral Square, taking photos in the rain, and had a look around the information centre, bumping into Lena and Dominic. A Rogan Josh pie and glass of red wine at the Taj Mahal restaurant, looked like a good idea, and after lunch, with the rain still pouring down, we decided to give it a miss and head back to the hotel for a rest. Six-thirty saw us in the hotel restaurant, sitting with Lena and Dominic, enjoying a Welcome Dinner (in buffet style) with the other members of our Coach Tour. We enjoyed a pleasant evening, with a pianist playing in the background. We met ... read more

Adelaide to Christchurch

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Christchurch March 2nd 2004

View from our Qantas jet

2012moreen

At 10.30 a.m. we were picked up by chauffer-driven limousine.On our way to the airport, we collected Lina and Dominic Cavallaro, from Modbury Heights. At 12.45 p.m. we departed Adelaide, bound for Sydney and Christchurch. After a four hour wait in Sydney, our flight across the Tasman was pretty rough, and dinner was postponed for at least 30 minutes. We arrived into Christchurch at about midnight, and after a quick clearance through Customs, we were taken to our hotel, the Kingsgate Autolodge in Papanui.... read more

Our room at the Kingsgate Autolodge in Papanui

Vergissen?

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Queenstown February 25th 2004

travel Robbie

Tja, ik weet het niet hoor… Kan het maar moeilijk zeggen… Nog maar eens kijken op de kalender… Nee, ik heb me niet vergist! Kon het bijna niet geloven, en met mij zowat heel Nieuw Zeeland. Deze zomer is niet te vergelijken met de zomers van de afgelopen paar jaar. Zou je denken dat het heel warm is… nou, niet bepaald. Het is “koud” en regenachtig. Gelukkig was het ontvluchten van het Nederlandse weer nooit mijn doelstelling :-) Afijn, de regen maakte het wandelen van de Southern Circuit op Steward Island ehh… interessant. 4 Dagen lang in de modder stampen, voeten die er na elke dag ouder uitzagen, schoenen die nat waren en bleven EN zwaar aanvoelden. Die 1ste dag nog proberen de plassen te ontwijken door fier als een edelhert op en neer te huppelen, ... read more

Mount Cook

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Glaciers February 15th 2004

Aoraki (mount Cook)

matthijn

Who doesn't want to be in New Zealand in its beautiful summer??? I planned my trip to Australia, New Zealand and South-East Azia that I would be in the summer in the Land with so many beautiful faces. What happened?? It rained and it rained and it kept on raining, butt it was still an awesome trip even when you're camping like I did. I started in Auckland bought a car for about 500 Dollar (we'll see how far it takes me, cheaper than a bus ticket and most importand it gives a lot of freedom). I travelled about a month on the north island and a month on the south. I dit some great hikes, like the Tongariro circuit, climbed the summit of Mount Taranaki, walked (ofcourse) Abel Tasman and did the amazing Routburn track. ... read more

playing guitar, at one of our free camp spots

Online and on the road

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island February 4th 2004

travel Robbie

G’day iedereen! Tijdje geleden. Mocht je je ongerust hebben gemaakt, dan heb je nu weer de mogelijkheid ontspannen achteruit te leunen in een gemakkelijke stoel. Na het lezen van deze email wel te verstaan. Na mijn vakantie begon ik op 8 januari weer met werk. 2 ERG DRUKKE WEKEN: 2 kampen achter elkaar, 24/7. Daarna nog zo’n 2 weken het gewone werk gedaan. En zo zijn we aanbelandt bij de dag van vandaag. Nog steeds moe. Gisteren afscheid genomen van iedereen bij de YMCA. Een tijdje terug heb ik de beslissing genomen te stoppen na de kampweken. Op verzoek ben ik 2 weken langer gebleven. Na 5 maanden werken was het tijd voor nieuwe uitdagingen; ik heb hier mijn “ding” wel uitgehaald en dat is goed geweest. Morgen ga ik met 2 Canadese dames, Jenelle en ... read more

Queenstown

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Queenstown January 17th 2004

Cardona Hotel, Crown Ranges

speedtrip

I wake around eight after a wierd nights sleep with the sun flowing straight into my tent and sparkling over the lake. Really beautfiful and few sandflies. Its very quiet here. I breakfast on a bacon roll and a cup of tea ... isnt' life wonderful ... New Zealand bacon is a bit more fatty but still difficult with no oil. The suns' already very hot and its only 8.30. I return the mug to next door, thats, two ive lost now, my favourite tin enamel one is on the Banks, somewhere and the Kiwi mug was left at the Crayfish Van in Jackson I think. I reflect on last nights' dreams ... adventure dreams and decide it must be all the excitement of the travel as I dont usually dream so much. I go for ... read more

Brief history of New Zealand

The Polynesian Maori reached New Zealand in about A.D. 800. In 1840, their chieftains entered into a compact with Britain, the Treaty of Waitangi, in which they ceded sovereignty to Queen Victoria while retaining territorial rights. In that same year...more history

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