Wellington from Mt Victoria 2

Merry Xmas everybody

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December 25th 2006
Christmas is nearly over for Sarah and I at 10pm here at the foot of the Franz Josef Glacier. The weather is a bit wet and gloomy now but we were blessed with sun this afternoon for the 4 hostels at the end of our cul-de-sac to have a street barbecue and game of cricket in lieu of a turkey dinner! Not a typical Christmas for us.... Since we last spoke we left Napier and its art deco architectur ... read more

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Franz Josef

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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... ... read more