Blogs from Picton, South Island, New Zealand, Oceania - page 8

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Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Picton March 11th 2010

At the beginning of the week I was still relaxing in Lake Tekapo and still being amazed at the vibrant turquoise waters. The wind had dropped and it was sunny and warm so I had a lovely time wandering the shores and sitting in the shade reading. I was the only person in the little cottage who was there for all 3 nights, so each day new people arrived. It was good fun chatting and also having our own TV, which we watched as we were entertained by the speedy little field mouse that had also decided to live in the cottage. We named him House Mouse and he got brave enough to run in front of the TV several times during the evening, We made sure we didn’t leave out any food and one couple ... read more
Pebble beach, Lake Tekapo
Punting in the sunshine
Tram driver change, Christchurch

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Picton February 13th 2010

Fri 2/12/2010 Unprepared for Picton Downpour Today we were in Picton New Zealand. We arrived around 8 but our tour wasn’t scheduled until 1:30 so we spent the morning doing laundry, posting previous blogs, doing the daily suduko, and eating (of course). It appeared to be a nice day and the Daily Program indicated it would be in the 70’s so John decided to wear shorts and we didn’t think we’d need jackets. However, as we were waiting for our tour to be called someone said it’s pouring out there and boy were they right. So he ran down to change and grab an umbrella and my jacket. As we went down the gangplank it was very wet and people were trying to get back on from the morning tours and out for the afternoon ones ... read more
Oyster Bay
View from Top

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Picton February 8th 2010

Day 2: 8-2-10 We continued heading north towards Picton on the quest to pick up Eric’s friend Will. We reached Picton around noon where Will showed us where to get the most delicious meat pies and ice cream fruit smoothies. We waited the token 20 minutes and then headed for a river to cool off. The river was a completely hidden locals hangout which could only be found by those who already knew where it was...lucky for us, Will knew the way. By the way, according to sources it is legal to walk around New Zealand anywhere barefooted. Not sure if that is completely true but from hence forth my shoes received very little action. I found this new freedom to be fantastic! Back to the river though, the other cool thing about this river was ... read more
ice cream
campfire!
sunset

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Picton February 4th 2010

In a car you're always in a compartment, and because you're used to it you don't realize that through that car window everything you see is just more TV. You're a passive observer and it is all moving by you boringly in a frame. On a cycle the frame is gone. You're completely in contact with it all. You're in the scene, not just watching it anymore, and the sense of presence is overwhelming. That concrete whizzing by five inches below your foot is the real thing, the same stuff you walk on, it's right there, so blurred you can't focus on it, yet you can put your foot down and touch it anytime, and the whole thing, the whole experience, is never removed from immediate consciousness." When Robert M Pirsig wrote those words in “Zen ... read more
Moto-X Meet
Some Were As Young as 6 and 7
No 206 was Way Out in Front

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Picton January 12th 2010

i woke early this morning and said my goodbyes to the Monicas. Had breakfast and a "flat white" at the coffee shop before heading to the Te Papa museum. I only had about an hour to explore here, so I headed straight for the metalsmithing exhibit. Here it seems that art museums are not really just about art, but instead combine art with interactive learning displays. Kinda like a combination of the St. Loius Science Center and an art museum. I made it to the ferry at the last possible minute, and settled in for the 3 hour ride. The sea was super choppy, and before long I was on my knees in the ladies room. For the rest of the voyage I napped in a booth of the cafe, waking briefly to snap a few ... read more

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Picton November 21st 2009

We got up this morning and went and had our muffler welding this morning before we needed to get on the ferry. Since it didn’t take very long, we drove to Harcourt Park in Upper Hutt and tried to figure out where they had shot part of the Lord of the Rings. We walked through the park, and by a river. We couldn’t figure it out - movie magic must have happened. (Though looking through a book at a shop later I guess they shot scenes from Isengard there). While we didn’t see any movie scenery, we did ride on their Flying Fox on the children’s playground. It was a small zipline with tires at the end to stop you. Adam got going pretty fast and almost flew off. I tried it out and it was ... read more
Harcourt Park
Harcourt Park
Wellington

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Picton November 19th 2009

The ferry from Wellington (North Island) to Picton (south Island) was 3 hours long, just enough time to catch up on some rest. I was hoping I’d get some good views and photos of the island while in transit, but the rain was pouring down the entire time. Hopefully towards the end of my time in New Zealand when I take the ferry back up to North Island, I’ll be able to capture some of the landscape. I spent a couple of days in Picton, but spend most of the time just relaxing in the hot tub (aka “spa” in NZ) or at library with free Internet. I did however; go out one night to a local pub which supposedly won an award for being the best at pouring Guinness - whatever that actually means! ... read more

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Picton November 18th 2009

I can’t believe the last time I blogged it was Halloween. Time flies, my friends! Can you believe I’ve been in NZ for about two months now!!?! I am currently on the Interislander to the South Island, which is apparently notorious for being quite a rowdy little boat ride. It’s like 4 hours long as well, which I was completely unprepared for. Hence the blogging. Also note- I should be writing my UW entrance essay right now. But I’m not. I have no good reason other than that I can’t decide on a format... or content… which I fully recognize is just an excuse. So, back to the travel blogging…. After I left Thames I went to Tauranga for a night, which I was kind of unimpressed with. There was lots of cement and warehouse-type buildings ... read more

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Picton November 3rd 2009

Today was my last day of work. Bathroom duty, my least fav. But now i’m done!!! Back to the library after work and talked to the parents on skype and then with the brother. Got back to the hostel in time to make some dinner and we mostly just spent the evening talking and Carolin wrote down all the german i’ve learnt from them for me. ... read more

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Picton November 2nd 2009

Carolin and I walked into town again after work today. Made a stop in at the bead store (my new fav!) and bought some more beads for one of my bracelets because I want to make it into an ankle bracelet. When we got back to the hostel I made it an ankle bracelet and had enough extra beads to make a ring. Sweet as!!!... read more




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