Blogs from Timaru, South Island, New Zealand, Oceania - page 2

Oh we knew this day would eventually come... and it was so painful! D-Day - December 14, 2009 Okay, THREE months (on the eve of St. Patrick's Day) later it still makes me sad to look at these photos! And recently someone dared me to finish the travel blog... By the way, no photos of Graham because he was relishing every last moment of his freedom in Timaru. We didn't see much of him during the last few weeks. He was always off gallivanting with his mates on their bikes and only checking in by cell phone. So here goes... the last New Zealand installment in all its glory. Now only The Cook Islands to finish and I can publish my book. Life back in Virginia isn't bad, it was just so, so good in New ... read more

Hi first blog Just trying it out still in New Zealand ... read more

April 19-May 6 Back home... And now the rest of the story... or at least the next phase... the fun didn't end when we left the North Island! Christchurch - Sunday April 19th - We had a city day and I took Sydney shopping at a mall and Gregg took Graham food shopping while Howard and Jean hooked up for brunch with some friends they had met in NZ 13 years ago (John and Miriam Nash)! Around 2pm we met up with The Timaru Boys High Yachting Team at Ranga Taitai School where they were going to be boarding for the week. We then drove to Lyttelton to check out the sailing site so that Howard and Jean would know where to meet Graham on Wed when they came back up with Avery. In typical Shivers ... read more

First, my apologies to you all for the large number of photos on this edition. Actually, I have spared you, as between the three cameras that were working at times on this trip, we took nearly 1800 photos. Some I am saving for subsequent editions...some have been erased, some will not see the light of day again... So the Hotchkiss boys come to Noo Zilland again...They arrived on the 23rd and left on the 29th, after seven days and six nights spend seeing stuff and on the road (well, except for being on the fiord).The boys landed in the morning in Christchurch after flying through the night and changing planes in Auckland. We proceeded to wander on down to Cathedral Square to see (you guessed it) the Cathedral and surroundings we had seen together 12 years ... read more

Day 47 Timaru This morning we went in search of the wild blue penguins again as we had stayed near a colony. Apparently they come ashore here on a night and in breeding season. As we approached the shore we noticed that it was yet again another visitor centre. To see a few penguins round on the cliffs you had to pay for a tour but you were allowed to the breeding area where we saw sea lions sunbathing. We continued to drive north and stopped in a town called Timaru as we had heard on the radio that there was a truck racing event on today. After finding out the location at the information centre we head off in search. The Timaru raceway is located a few kilometres out of town, near the airport as ... read more