Blogs from Hamilton, North Island, New Zealand, Oceania - page 2

Vendredi 1er novembre devait être mon premier jour de boulot, mais en fait non... ça commence bien, mais au moins ça m'a permis de trouver une colloc ! On est 3 mecs, un taïwanais 30 ans, Oligo, un kiwi 21ans Scott, et moi. Colloc végétarienne avec un oranger et un citronnier dans le jardin :) J'y vais dimanche soir en attendant je reste dans la colloc de Susan. Samedi grimpe à Mangaokewa avec Dan mon pote du Minnesota, des amis à lui et Susan, un peu le champfro local avec le secteur parapluie, puisqu'ici il continue à pleuvoir et à souffler... (ça commence à me gonfler!) surtout quand je vois vos photos de la neige ! Samedi soir sortie à Raglan, première bringue en Nz, après un bbq chez la boss. Dimanche grimpe au milieu d'un ... read more

16 October 2016 Again a day without green light from the Aussies. We have decided to make our way back to Auckland and did something that I would have thought to be impossible in my lifetime. We visited Hobbiton, yes the place where the outdoor parts of "The Hobbit", "Lord of the rings",etc. were filmed. I have never seen a Hobbit movie, nor have I read the Tolkien books, but what we saw today definitely encouraged us to see at least one movie, Margarita did read "The Hobbit", many years ago,to help Alex in school,with a bookreport. The level of detail is incredible and the overall scenary really something special. I thought that people who generally visited these sites must be "aficionados" and probably nerds. Nevertheless seeing the visitors from all over the world, I am ... read more

Years ago, I started a charm bracelet for myself and one for my granddaughter. Why did I buy sterling silver charms for them while travelling? They made great souvenirs, looked great, were easy and cheap to buy and took up no room at all in my suitcase. Sadly, those types of charms are not as easy to find (or as cheap) as they used to be. It is a shame as we also used to buy them as gifts for friends and relatives overseas or visitors to our country. They loved receiving something unique to New Zealand. So, time to see what other options are available. I admit that I had been gazing longingly at Pandora bracelets for a long time but had resisted the temptation to indulge. But okay, I have succumbed and am now ... read more

Hamilton Gardens receive thousands of visitors every year, from all over the world. But I wonder how many visit the Victorian Flower Gardens which are housed just along the road from where you turn into the Gardens. I suspect many people don't realise they are there or don't know where to park to get to them or simply see them as they drive past and it is too late then to stop. As a Hamiltonian, I have been very disappointed to go to the VFG several times, only to find them locked and no sign telling me when they would be open. But today I managed to leave my assistant in the car, after a long walk, and grabbed some photos. I will let the photos speak for themselves - they will give you an idea ... read more

If proof was required that they are enjoying proper childhood activities, I would present these shins as the primary evidence.... read more