Kia Ora New Zealand!

Oceania » New Zealand
April 26th 2023

Published: May 12th 2023

A camping we will go, A camping we will go, High Ho the Derry-O, A camping we will go! And what a place to do so! Great roads, abundant camp spots, friendly humor loving locals, ease of English language, and jaw dropping beauty! New Zealand is a place to get out and explore, marvel at nature, and challenge yourself to anything from hiking, to biking to paragliding and so much more. In our way too ... Read Full Entry

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Schroeder family

Shanghai Sheri

In 2006, our family began what we thought was a 3 year adventure of living and traveling in China. But like Gilligan, our 3 year tour turned into something much longer and deeper than we expected. This was just the beginning of our cultural travels and blogs. 3 years turned into 6 years and included a time of residence in South Korea as well. The kids have all transitioned into and out of college leaving us as empty nesters, but not empty of ambitions to continue to explore the world. Come along with us as we seek to expand our understanding of this marvelous world in which we live! ... full info

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Another summit hike

Always breath taking - in more ways than one!

Iconic New Zealand photo

I think my Mom and Dad had their photo taken at this same spot. It's beside a beautiful winding road leading into Wanaka, along Lake Hawea.

Camping at Lake Wanaka

Biking Lake Wanaka

New Zealand is a very bike friendly country. Wanaka had a lovely trail along the lake shore. We met several friendly people along the way and enjoyed pedaling through gorgeous peaceful scenery.

Carrick Winery

Pizza and wine on the lawn

A relaxing lunch at the winery. New Zealand wines were fabulous! My favorite were the Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blancs.

Aboard the TSS Earnslaw

We enjoyed a fantastic day steaming across Lake Wakatipu on this 1912 steamer.

Walter Peak

Our destination on the TSS Earnslaw. This working sheep station is not only beautiful but also served us a fantastic buffet luncheon as well a demonstration afterward highlighting the amazing sheep dogs and sheep shearing. Super fun day!

Dessert with a view

Windows open, breathing in the fresh air whilst enjoying cab sauv and several desserts. My favorite: Sticky Toffee Pudding. Wow!

Queenstown Luge

Super fun and fast ride down a curvy roadway. Matt reveled in bumping his luge into mine several times before passing me at a very high speed and racing down to the finish. We laughed the whole way down.

I'm soaring like a bird!

I didn't know this was a bucket item until the opportunity presented itself. The perfect day and although I suffer a fear of heights, I couldn't resist. Such a free and wonderful feeling soaring in the wind!

The Southern Cross over our campervan

Stars in the southern hemisphere are more abundant, with the milky way wrapping like an arch from one horizon to another. Strange to see our northern hemisphere constellation Orion standing on his head. And so many constellations I didn't recognize.

Predator eradication

Rats, stoats and possums are all non-native predators that have wreaked havoc on the native bird population. In some cases, leading to extinction. Every trail we traversed had little cages like this all along it. Apparently they have been very successful!

Ferns, ferns, everywhere ferns

Kepler Track

This section of the Kepler Track, near Manapouri, was one of my favorite hikes. I especially loved the lush green forest, so much moss, the swinging bridge, a bit of hill to climb and the cute little birds .

Little friend

This cute little South Island Tomtit hopped around my feet looking for insects which might have been scraped up from my tracks. Tiny little thing with no worries about my big feet.

Cruising Doubtful Sound

This gorgeous fjord in Fjordland National Park is 25 miles long. We had a fantastic 8 hour day starting with a forest walk along a little trail from our campsite to the dock. After a speed boat ride across beautiful Lake Manapouri, we rode a bus to the Doubtful Sound cruise ship. We traveled all the way out to the Tasman Sea, seeing the rare fur seals at the mouth of the fjord. Rain, sun and loads of waterfalls!

Doubtful Sound view

Doubtful Sound

As seen from high above

Takahe

These are 2 of 485 left in the world. These were at a bird sanctuary. Large, colorful and distinctive beaks. We were fortunate to see a naturalist at the sanctuary feed them their favorite food, red tussock.

Mirror Lakes

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