Blogs from New Zealand, Oceania - page 2322

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Abel Tasman National Park March 3rd 2006

Well I have another entry on the computer at the homestay I'm currently in that will get posted tomorrow morning. I'm waiting to meet Kim, who I kayaked with in Doubtful Sound. I ended up in Mapua which is where she lives. Abel Tasman I signed on for a 3 day sea kayak adventure in Abel Tasman. Abel Tasman is very popular and I've been hearing about it since I arrived. Although I was a little bit leary about going to somewhere that might have thousands of other kayaks on the water the lure of golden sand beaches, swimming, camping, and seals was just too tempting. I went with the Sea Kayak company located in Moteuka. They only take groups 8 or less. We had 8. Three couples, myself, and another man who was traveling solo. ... read more

Golden Bay

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Nelson Region » Golden Bay March 3rd 2006

Backyard Adventurer Gone Global

Well I didn’t make it up early enough to see penguins (more about that later). I reluctantly left Punakiki. It is probably one of my favorite stops on this trip. I drove northeast through the inland to Moteuka (where I would be kayaking from in a couple of days) and headed for Golden Bay and a hostel called Shambhala (sounds like an oasis). After 6 hours of driving I arrived at Shambhala. Its an alternative hostel off the main road to Collingwood. I had been told about it by one of the firefighters I work with and thought I’d check it out. Its located off the main road to Collingwood. Shambhala is right on Golden Bay. There is a trail from the house down to the bay that is marked by adobe archways imbedded with local ... read more

For your viewing pleasure

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Hawkes Bay » Hastings March 3rd 2006

A West Coast Sunset

Gldngirl

I hope you all enjoy the pictures! I all I can say is the Tongariro Crossing was very challenging for me, both mentally and physically. But you can all see how worth it it was. To walk like a board the next day was worth the magical scenery that I was able to experience. I'm still in Hastings packing apples, but only for another week or so. Once again, enjoy the pictures!... read more

We're still alive and kicking

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Hawkes Bay March 3rd 2006

Sue Andy

Hello everybody. Just a quick one to let you know that we are both still alive and kicking! Sorry it has been so long since we have posted a blog. We are currently updating our blog and having problems with getting internet access locally, especially somewhere where we can upload photographs. We should get them done and out to you all soon! Just to let you know we are both well. We bought an old car in Auckland and after a short tour of part of the North Island (In the upcoming blogs!) we headed down to Hawkes Bay where we are now. We are currently living in a caravan on an apple orchard in a farming community called Onga Onga where we are working picking apples. The nearest 'town' is Waipukurau and we are about ... read more

New Zealand Part 2 - Back to School. There And Back Again, A Travellers Tale (Christchurch back to Auckland)

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Auckland March 2nd 2006

Pingu and kiddy

G Dog

Mr. Galbraith says; First a quick joke i thought up to start the lesson. What does Star Trek's James T Kirk call his poo........ Captain's log!!!! Well welcome to another edition of our log, blog or spawnblog (Tony Clark 2005) and its been far from brown and sticky as we have now finished 9 weeks of amazing New Zealand and rather sorry to leave. After all the excitement and excesses of Christmas/NY and meeting of friends along the way we certainly gone "Back to School" and knuckled to a whole raft of subjects so please PAY ATTENTION!! yes, you at the back who has just visited to look at the photos. Biology. We've got an abundance of Zoological specimens to you to view, e.g Dolphins, Whales, Penguins, Albatross. Secondly History. To me at times it felt ... read more

The Kiwi chapters...

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Bay of Islands March 2nd 2006

Soobee

After a full day of travelling on 21 Feb I arrived back in Bangkok at 9pm. Decided to see Khao San Road by night and so booked into a hotel just off the main street. Not exactly five star luxury, but not quite Leonardo Di Caprio dodgy standards a la The Beach either! The bathroom was so small that the door only opened half way and you had to squeeze in and shut the door before you could get to the loo. Spent the evening haggling with the street vendors, but have to say that I'm not that good at it! Besides which, everything is so cheap to start with, that you feel bad negotiating on the price at all. Had a last wander round Bangkok the next morning and then it was off to the ... read more

Invercargill

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Southland » Invercargill March 2nd 2006

Hedge

alcarney

The city of Invercargill Invercargill is at the very bottom of South Island - yuo can't get much further south than here. Stewart Island is actually off the coast, accessed by scenic Bluff a short drive east of the city, but we didn't have time to go there and experience it, sadly. The city is laid out in a grid pattern, with very wide streets and a feeling of spaciousness. The street names are mostly the names of rivers in Scotland. This is a city which has not yet prepared itself for the potential of tourism. We did see a few interesting things on our historical tour of the city, but the downtown area is somewhat lacking in a welcoming appearance. The main local industry appears to be the plant where Keith works, the abbatoire where ... read more

The Farm

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Fiordland National Park » Te Anau March 2nd 2006

Left Milford sound and headed back towards Te Anau. On our way back, decided to do a walk which started at The Divide up to Key Summit (approx 3 hours). The walk initially followed the famous Routeburn track, and then took us through native forest, shrub land and bogs. It was pretty hard going on the way up. Visibily was not great due to the weather still being drizzely but we still had good views of Hollyford, Greenstone and Eglinton valleys. Stayed at Barnyard Backpackers. It was a working deer farm, outside of Te Anau. The hostel centre was a homestead with real fires and amazing views, and a dog and cat who were the best of friends! We stayed in one of the rustic backpacker cottages, which again had amazing 360 degree views. The weather ... read more

What a Night

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Christchurch March 2nd 2006

This explains the whole thing

Cas

Otay..this was a crazy night. Ever been to a foam party? Let me just tell you...its...crazy. You get very wet but its very fun...if you have to chance I'd say go to one...especially if its at a place called The Mad Cow (thats right folks i live in a hick down in New Zealand...they do exsist. Love ya Till Next time... read more

More pictures from the south

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Glaciers March 2nd 2006

lake at Queenstown

Bookey

There's a picture here of the view across the lake at Queenstown. I paid the duck five dollars to pose for me. Also a swing bridge on the Copland Track. This began near Fox Glacier on the West Coast and took a day following a valley through rainforest crossing many fast flowing streams, some of which had these bridges, and reached a pint where there was a hut to stay in. Near it were some geothermal pools which were surprisingly hot. We were able to lie in them that evening under the stars! The next day we had to walk back along the same route and it poured with rain all the way. (Hence the rainforest).... 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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