Blogs from New Zealand, Oceania - page 2433

Well, we are currently in Christchurch right now trying to find some transportation. Taking shuttles everywhere has gotten old, and just too expensive. After leaving Greymouth we headed back to Arthur's Pass where we attempted to ski a few months back, but this time we were going tramping. Needless to say, this tramping expedition didn't go as well as our previous trip in Nelson Lakes. The weather was against us, I got sick, then there was no where to stay, and on and on and on....Our plan was a 6 day tramp starting on the east side of the Southern Alps, hiking over Harman Pass and back down the western side of the Alps, with a stop at a Julia Hut where there are thermal pools to soak. But, we never got that far. First off, ... read more

I have returned from my boat cruise in one piece, and very much enjoying my time in New Zealand. I boarded the ship via a little motorboat with 9 other people and was welcomed aboard by the crew of "The Rock". We then headed out to the Bay of Islands and did some air gun shooting at a bottle being towed behind the boat. Lame as it may sound, it was pretty fun! We then fished at dusk for Snapper. I am proud to say caught 2 out of the 3 fish that we had with our nice dinner of steak, assorted salads, bread, fresh mussels and dessert. I then chatted and got to know the crew, my fellow visitors and the captain. He was telling me that he is trying to open a hatchery for ... read more

The bus picks us up at 7:30 am and we drive a few hours then stop for a tea break. Michael and I have been napping during this time. We have another four hours before we get to Greymouth so I get out the computer to record information in our travel journal. This makes the time go quickly and we stop about 12:30 for a quick lunch before going into Greymouth. We are dropped at the rail station in Greymouth to catch the Tranz Alpine train to Arthur’s Pass. I ask Michael if he knows how far our motel is from the train station and he says he doesn’t, but the town can’t be that big. The town of Arthur’s Pass in Arthur’s Pass National Park is a tiny enclave of small cabins that were built ... read more

Hello from Ponsonby Road! Caitlin and I have moved on from the Fat Camel. It was nice but kind of a sterile environment that was trying too hard to be the Real World. Imagine living in those trendy IKEA rooms... not the most homey feel. We've moved on to a suburb just west of Auckland called Ponsonby. We're at the Ueneke (?) Lodge right on the strip of cafes, nightclubs, bars and cute little boutiques. It's a yuppie neighborhood so I feel pretty lucky for this prime real estate for only NZ$20 bucks a night. The biggest plus is there is FREE PARKING for our newest travelling companion. Introducing..... CHIPPY! Our mint green (haha, mint chip?) 1984 Honda City is a 2 door, tiny little car complete with fold down hatchback style seats, a tiny little ... read more

It's taken some time, but I am feeling better about staying here for a while now. It's good to have my own space in the house at Percival Street and I'm doing more recreational activities, chilling out and soaking up the cosmopolitan lifestyle in the city and enjoying the atmosphere. There are tons of theatres and cinemas in Wellington - firstly here's a photo of the one where I'm working, which is called Circa - it's right on the harbour with a fabulous view and a lovely dining area. It's quite a laid-back and sophisticated environment in the theatre, although convincing the customers that they have plenty of time to eat before going in to the play takes some patience!! At the moment there are two plays showing, with matinee performances on weekend afternoons. Nearer Christmas ... read more