http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/Blenheim/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from Oceania , New Zealand , South Island , Blenheim en-us Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:09:59 BST Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:09:59 BST Tomorrow we leave the South for the North Island so we've only about a week until we leave New Zealand. We've loved it here so far but we're also quite looking forward to getting rid of the campervan now. There are only so many nights you can stay in semideserted campsites on the edge of town before you long for a decent bed in a decent hotel smack bang in the heart of the city Tonight we're http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/Blenheim/blog-317851.html Blenheim currently has the title for the sunniest city in New Zealand. We enjoyed its warm days in its beautiful parks and taking to the golf greens. Fall colors and cool nights are starting to make their appearance just in time for Easter too. An interesting Easter tradition here involves a hunt but not for colored eggs or chocolate actually a hunt for live rabbits We thankfully had heard http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/Blenheim/blog-265277.html Having woken up with no hang over and sore backs from the really good bed we head off to Renwick in search of a good chardonnay. There are about 150 wineries in the area so we are hopeful of finding treasure even though the area is know for Sauvignon Blanc. Driving the 6km to Renwick involves driving past the Cloudy Bay and the Allen Scott wineries which we obviously stop at with the car. Not http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/Blenheim/blog-263376.html Der erste JobDie Nacht in Hammer Springs war sehr erholsam fr den Preis war das auch zu erwarten. Mit grossen Erwartungen bin aufgebrochen. Die Fahrt war super. Die Landschaft wie erwartet unbeschreiblich nach jeder Kurve ein neues High light. Das einzige was mir am Anfang etwas sorgen gemacht hat war meine Tanknadel. Auf den ersten 20 Kilometern hatte das Auto laut Anzeige schon ein achtel http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/Blenheim/blog-253529.html Also jetzt bin ich in Blenheim und Nadine sitzt gerade neben mir. Haben heute eine Weintour gemacht sind aber nicht besoffen Ich habe erst einmal keine Lust mehr auf Wein Das Wetter war leider nicht so schoen aber es hat wenigstens nicht geregnet http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/Blenheim/blog-253282.html Home of the world renowned Marlborough Wine region. We headed here after we left Kaikoura before we headed to the west coast. We only had a day here but we wanted to visit a couple of wineries. First of all we went to Cloudy Bay they didn't do wine tours but had an open cellar where we could try a few wines. We wanted to do a wine tour so we headed to the largest winery in NZ and also the first http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/Blenheim/blog-250852.html Auf dem Weg nach SdenAls ich das Hostel so gegen 9 Uhr verlassen hatte habe ich als erstes meine Eltern angerufen und wissen lassen dass alles ok ist und dass es jetzt richtig los geht. Nach einem schnellen Frhstck bin ich zum Backpacker Auto Markt gesprintet und habe mein Auto abgeholt. Damit habe ich mich vorsichtig zum Hotel durchgeschlagen um meine Sachen abzuholen. Ich habe die Sachen s http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/Blenheim/blog-248138.html Blenheim is not much of place really.....give or take 40 plus boutique vinyards in the area ......yeh baby The Marlborough region is famous for its sauv blancs and I was never a big fan of white wine .....but oo how my tastes have changed.After a nice chilled morning in Picton we drove to Blenheim 30 mins to join a wine tour. On the tour there was a young couple from Ireland who were a bi http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/Blenheim/blog-238788.html We thought we had better put up a blog since yee are all heading back to work soon or are already there and probably need something to fill your hours when you return to the office. We spent Christmas in New Plymouth in a hostel called Shoestring Backpackers. Paul n I went out for Christmas Eve drinks and after trawling the streets found an Irish pub playing christmas music so had a few tipples t http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/Blenheim/blog-232707.html When Duncan told me we'd get our Christmas tree from the side of the road I thought he was joking ... but no we cruised along the road by the farm looking for the one and then I kept the motor running as he jumped out with his crocodile dundee knife and hacked it down.Once the tree was up and decorated I felt much more in the Christmas mood. I had a trip to Dunedin to do some shopping and we http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/Blenheim/blog-232375.html Hallo ihr Liebenja ihr duerft jetzt erstmal auf mich sauer sein weil ich mich sooooooooo lang nicht mehr gemeldet hab aber ich versuch euch alles zu erzaehlen und nichts auszulassen.VERSPROCHEN.Ich fang mal an....Von Mitte November bis Anfang Dezember waren meine Eltern ja hier im schoenen Neuseeland und haben mich besucht. Danach hab ich mir mit Richy zusammen einen roten Bus gekauft genannt http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/Blenheim/blog-227873.html We left the warm bubble of Blenheim travelling west to Punakaiki the pancake rocks. Driving out of Blenheim on the 63 toward St. Arnaud you drive past the Richmond range and copious vineyards. Chloe wanted to drive as she hasnrsquot done a lot in the 3000 or so kmrsquos that we have driven so far. My luck was in because it was a day of the best scenery I have been lucky enough to witness in http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/Blenheim/blog-215167.html Hello AllWe are now in the South Island. We spent a night in Picton after the ferry crossing which was very bumpy as we crossed the Cook Straight. But once into the Islands it was incredible. The mountains are what can only described as majestic and the sea was almost turquoise. Picton is a lovely quiet little town not what you would expect for a main port. The girls had a play at the playgroun http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/Blenheim/blog-215159.html The days have all merged into one and we now find ourselves stopping people on the side of the road..not to ask for directions but to settle disputes on what day it is and what the date is Thankfully the world cup helps disputes about whether it is Saturday or not..but during the week..total blank Last I left you we were in the North Island. To be Fair..I cant remember where I last left..and I http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/Blenheim/blog-211619.html Saturday 8th OctoberToday we left the North Island and took the ferry to the South Island. Six of us Becky Sam Sean Stu Kim Me decided to leave the Kiwi bus for a couple of days as we had found a wine tour were you hire mountain bikes for the day. Yoursquore given a map of the wineries and off you go. So we arrived in Picton in the South Island and jumped onto another bus to Blenheim http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/Blenheim/blog-211070.html I spent 45 weeks highly enjoyable weeks in Wellington doing nothing in particular. It was good to be able to walk around the harbour aimlessly day after day listening to my MP3 player watching ferries rolling in and out of the Cook Strait. In Wellington i also had to get a few problems on the bike mended so nothing new there just cracked cassettes and worn down cogs due to vigorous use of the ge http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/Blenheim/blog-204410.html From the White sandy beaches of Rarotonga to the COLD South Island of New ZealandAustralasia New Zealand South Island Blenheim By BrigetteJune 5th 2007Brigette Dempsey This Blog was also lost due to the crash...and all I can remember about this place was it was BOOOOOOOOORING.................. http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/Blenheim/blog-166122.html Details of the Blenheim region for your use to find where to go what to do etc. Two routes to Blenheim depending if you came straight from Picton 27 kilometres or from the Nelson area 116 kilometres approx 2 hours. Here is the route from Nelson From Nelson you return back over Route Six east through Havelock to Renwick. See below for more information about the area. Probably best to http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/Blenheim/blog-165879.html I've got three minutes to write this....Hey....I'm in Blenheim working in the vineyards pruning away. It's alright. There's potential for lots of money but I'm slow so I make minimum. It's cool. I just need to save up for brother's arrival. It's much warmer up here compared to Queenstown. Ah my mind is blank. I can't perform under this kind of pressure. Oh I saw a band the ohter night. Katchaf http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/Blenheim/blog-163810.html This weekend we took off for the East Coast and Marlborough Wine Country. Monica another itinerant doc from the clinic came along for the excursion. It is about a 3 hour drive from Reefton through the Buller Gorge and down onto the plains surrounding the Wairau River. There is no mistaking that you have entered wine country. Vineyards stretch almost from side to side in the Wairau Valley. Wine ma http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/Blenheim/blog-142352.html After a week in Totaranui we headed over to Blenheim for the Rogaining national champs. Rogaining is a bit like orienteering except you get to choose which controls you visit within a set period of time.We picked up Richie Hannah and Brenda from Picton and stuffed them into the car. We were packed to the roof inside with packs shoes and other gear. The car was sitting so low people thoug http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/Blenheim/blog-137635.html Think of a food festival with different booths all around and a lot of people in the middle. You can picture TAAM HA'IR if you must. Now take out all the advertisements and those big commercial stands. Add some nice music not too loud and a lot of nice relaxed NewZealanders aka Kiwis. And now imagine that most of those booths are selling wines in ridiculous prices. Now put this whole scene http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/Blenheim/blog-127582.html Hi folksSorry I'm moving.Go to httpflyingpancakes.spaces.live.com from now on.I know how to use live spaces more than hereCheersLing http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/Blenheim/blog-119827.html I am finally here in Blenheim starting off vineyard work.I must admit 1st few days here weren't easy. Kept wondering if I made the right decision. But hey I'm gonna stick with it. Sometimes its so easy to want to go back when you know you can have it easier back home.Last week was wire lifting all day.. sooo tiring. But this week is pretty cool. Today I pruned some young plants. Bad on the back http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/Blenheim/blog-117263.html Picton. Day walk on the CHarlotte Track. Julianna and I Still at the top of the Outlook point Me Scenic view ontop of Outlook Wineries...yes this meant free one at one of the wineries...Yum http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/Blenheim/blog-115723.html Kia ora tatou a haere mai ki AotaeroHello everybody and welcome to New ZealandAnd Happy New Year to you allBefore I begin I should warn you that one of the reasons I decided to come to New Zealand is because of my slightly overthetop obsession with Lord of the Rings which you may or may not know was filmed here. Therefore unless you like LOTR too please ignore my excited comments.We http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/Blenheim/blog-115457.html HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL I hope you had a good one and enjoyed yourselves. I thought I had better do an update as we head out of here tommorrow to explore the South Island for the next 5 weeks. We have had a very relaxing time over the last 3 weeks helped enormously by the vast quantities of Sauvignon Blanc they make in this region and the fact that Gail and Mike have a Spa in their back g http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/Blenheim/blog-115390.html MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE SLACK BLOGGERS Wherever you are and whomever you are with we hope you have a fabulous time and we will be raising a glass to you all. Of course we will get to celebrate a full 13 hours before youOnce again I apologise for not keeping up to date quickly but we have been on the move a lot so that we could see everything in North Island that we wanted to see before we http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/Blenheim/blog-111983.html 924103The South Island is the more scarcely populated of the two and allows for even more natural beauty to be viewed. Many travelers advised us that the South was where its at and to budget our time to spend twice as long on the southern island as we did on the northern. We followed this basic plan and it turned out to be very good advice.Our ferry dropped us and our car off on the northern http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/Blenheim/blog-97206.html I'm now in the South Island in the Marlborough region best known for its vineyards and wineries. I was lucky enough to go on a bike tour through some of NZ's best wineries and enjoyed tastings from some lovely wines. Best known for their white wines you'll find the most incredible sauvignon blanc in the world top awards in US and UK. Cloudy Bay and St. Clair were bigfavorites. Funny enough http://www.travelblog.org//Oceania/New-Zealand/South-Island/Blenheim/blog-96126.html