Archive for November, 2006
Monday, November 20th, 2006
NZ Likes / Dislikes
These are mostly my likes/dislikes, but most are also held by Urs…
Likes
That they round prices up or down accordingly – no pennies or 5 cent coins!
Roasted and smoked olives – strange, but excellent
Smoked mussels – ditto
No chain hotels, every place has character and most all hotel rooms are like apartments, with a kitchen and sitting area
Living [...]
3 Comments » - Posted in Thoughts by Angela
Monday, November 20th, 2006
Rainy Day Reflection
As I sit in comfort, out of the drenching rain, at the Aorkai/Mount Cook Alpine Lodge, I’m gazing out the large windows at the even larger snow capped mountains all around me and realize that I am starting to take all this beauty for granted. Everyday it’s a new, beautiful scene, some we have seen [...]
1 Comment » - Posted in Thoughts by Angela
Sunday, November 12th, 2006
Some catching up
Nelson is dope and Christchurch is dope. Since being in the South Island, we’ve not only been getting much better weather (it’s about time), but the two main cities we visited so far are awesome. It’s going to be really hard living in Auckland after this tour knowing how much more we liked the South. [...]
No Comments » - Posted in South Island by urs
Sunday, November 12th, 2006
Oct 31: To the South Island!!!
The day for the South Island has finally arrived. Our tickets are booked for the Inter-islander Cruise Ship. Here’s a picture of the ship, and a guy we called, “Eye of the Tiger.”
Despite being delayed for 2 hours, it turned into quite the classic sea voyage. The stately ship had three movie theatres (If you [...]
1 Comment » - Posted in North Island, Photos, South Island by urs
Sunday, November 12th, 2006
Oct 30: Wellington
Sunny morning – exercised!
Back at camp – raining!
Before we left the Martinborough camp, we had some free time to spend chatting with the distinguished older members of the International Campervan Society – A group of people who own their own campervans and organize group trips to different regions of New Zealand and beyond. They loved [...]
No Comments » - Posted in North Island by urs
Sunday, November 12th, 2006
Oct 29: Vineyard hopping
Today’s the day we tour the Martinborough vineyards. Though not as renowned as their South Island counterpart Marlborough Region, Martinborough holds its own. There’s a bike race going through town, 107 kilometers. We figure that if these people can get up and ride 107 kilometers, we can at least walk the 5k to get drunk. [...]
No Comments » - Posted in North Island by urs
Sunday, November 12th, 2006
Oct 28: Martinborough Beers
It’s the first stunningly sunny day we’ve woken up to. Not a cloud in the sky and it’s super warm. Amazing! We figure that it’s also going to be great in Martinborough, the North Island’s wine country. So instead of staying and basking, we figure we can cover some ground and bask there.
Here’s our new [...]
No Comments » - Posted in North Island by urs
Sunday, November 12th, 2006
Oct 26: Bikes!
It’s a perfect day for a bike ride. We found a rental place that charges only $5 an hour and went there to trade our diesel-powered van for some leg-powered mountain bikes. In Taupo, there’s a massive river with a gushing waterfall (New Zealand’s Niagara Falls, if you will) with a lovely walking path along [...]
No Comments » - Posted in North Island by urs
Sunday, November 12th, 2006
Oct 25: Geothermal wonderland
McDonalds breakfast – Though our willpower is weak, here’s some hard-earned research: The MickyDs here have a huge section inside called The McCafe with pro baristas, fancy espressos, and swanky baked goods. The Bacon-Egg-Cheese-McMuffin thankfully remained unchanged.
Orakei Korako / Hidden Valley – On the way to Taupo, a massive lake in the center of the [...]
No Comments » - Posted in North Island by urs
Sunday, November 12th, 2006
Oct 24: It’s now ok that Rotorua smells
Kauri Thermal Park – Walked through a city park full of gardens, bubbling mud pools, and steaming lakes. Very mystic feeling.
Angela rules. She treated us to mud wraps, massages and hot springs at the Polynesian Spa, voted in the top 10 of the world’s thermal spas. And they weren’t joking. First you simmer in the [...]
