Summer Down Under 2017

---

---

For the first time we travelled to Australia via China...Shanghai. Mostly to break up the long flights but also to get a brief feel for the possibility of a more extensive tour in the future. The 15 hour flight was painful but getting a good night's sleep then having a personalized tour of the city made up for it.

Then on to Sydney for a 5 week family and friends visit and celebration of Mum's 97th birthday.

To break up our long stay in Oz we planned a month long tour of the South Island of New Zealand. The first 2 weeks were shared with rellies Carl and Jody, the second, just the 2 of us.

Click on the first photo to open.

---

Photos

Buddist temple
Our personalized tour took us to a Buddhist temple which survived the oppressive Cultural Revolution under Mao.

Silk Factory
We 'helped' these ladies stretch a layer of silk onto a duvet - to - be. They corrected our effort.

Lunch
The menu was a mystery!

Take your pick!
These were available on the dinner menu.

Korean BBQ lunch, Sydney.
Marlie with Paddy Gunning...built-in bbq at your table.

The Gunnings
We retreated to a waterside café to try to escape the 42c heat.

Happy Birthday Mum!
Still going strong.

# 97
Mum had family and friends with her to celebrate birthday # 97.

Bulli cottage
As a birthday 'treat' we took Mum on an overnight to a cottage by the ocean, just south of Sydney.

Pinchgut
We had always wanted to visit Fort Dennison (commonly called Pinchgut by the convicts who spent solitary time there, surrounded by sharks) in Sydney Harbour ...we finally did.

Barbie
A favourite Aussie pastime...with brother Garry

Sister Jody
About to explore the Moeraki boulders.. south of Christchurch.

picture perfect
this scenery shot taken at Moeraki won our 'pic of the day' competition.

Oamaru
whimsical sculpture...we needed a hook like that.

Milford Sound
About to embark on our cruise...the weather could not have been more perfect.

Magnificent Milford
Our last time here...14 years ago, was wet and soggy.

Te Anau
Lovely little cross stitch poem.

Carl casting for the elusive brown trout
supposedly easy to catch ...not for us.

Frankton fish shop
No trout to be caught...this was an alternative...we selected blue cod and gurnard instead.

Near Queenstown
the stunning drive from Queenstown to Glenorchy.

Bungy
the site of the original jump, outside Queenstown.

Comments

[Lorraine Runstedler]

Pictures
Pics are amazing as you two are! - And Joy, she looks awesome Ian - what a life you two are having - So happy for you - It is cold here - can't wait for Summer - Having a glass of Vino(CHEERS) as I type this - xo p.s. some of that food you showed (YIKES) (ha)