The other Oz: Cairns and Sydney
Friday, June 22, 2007
Here we go with that first impression thing again! As we are looking through the welcome to our hotel notebook provided by our beachfront Palm Cove hotel outside of Cairns, Australia, we notice that it says to stay out of the ocean. It is still “stinger season.”
The other Oz: Perth, part two
Thursday, June 7, 2007
The main event the next morning is a chance to swim with dolphins. As we get off of the bus, one traveler asks if it is OK to swim now, at night. Our bus driver replies that anyone who can tell the difference between a shark and a dolphin in the dark is welcome to a nighttime swim. I think we all stayed on land that evening.
The other Oz: Perth
Thursday, May 31, 2007
We see kangaroos and emus along the road, and we really begin to realize that we are in Australia after all.
Farewell to New Zealand via Stewart Island
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
With my departure from New Zealand looming on the horizon, it became time for some tough choices. Everyone, it seems, that comes to New Zealand’s South iIsland goes to Queenstown and nearby Milford Sound. It is supposed to be the ultimate in scenic boat rides and hiking.
Hot Springs and Bachelor Whales
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Hanmer Springs is an alpine-style village on the South Island high country. In the winter it offers skiing, and in the summer it offers hiking on trails of all levels of difficulty. What it is famous for year round, though, are thermal hot springs.
Greymouth and Pancake Rocks
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
A persistent drizzle, which certainly reinforces the "grey" in Greymouth, has now joined the fog but it also creates some rather beautiful waterfalls splashing down the cliffs above the roadside.
Driving distractions
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
We had planned on driving back to Christchurch, New Zealand, from Dunedin with very few stops so that we could return the rental car before the office closed. The New Zealand landscape had other plans for us, however.
Sea birds and chocolate
Monday, April 16, 2007
We spend the better part of an hour scanning the sea for any signs of penguins and begin to think it is hopeless, when we see some other bird watchers along the path start pointing to the shore. At last, penguins! But no, it is only a fur seal.
Wine and dolphins
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
During our travels in New Zealand, we had driven through several wine producing areas on both the North and the South Islands. But, since we were driving, we had not stopped to do any wine tasting.
Christchurch at last
Friday, April 6, 2007
Much later that same day we finally arrive in Christchurch, which is just as beautiful as we had been told it would be. There are gardens and flowers everywhere! Our temporary new home is bright and breezy, and there are roses blooming in the yard.
Fur Seals and wetas
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Hotel lobbies are always full of information about local tours and tourist activities. Our Wellington Hotel is no different. From a hallway long rack of colorful brochures we pick two: “Seal Coast Safari” and “Wellington Movie Tour”. Both are half-day trips, and we decide we can do both in one day.
Wellington and Te Papa
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Facing the entrance to Te Marae is an enormous door of stained glass. The outside light coming through this wall of glass casts a beautiful pattern of colors across the floor of a large gathering area. Important visiting dignitaries are often welcomed to Wellington in Te Marae. I cannot imagine that they would not be impressed.
Steamboats and eels
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Parrots are my favorite birds, so I am thrilled to have dozens of them swooping around our heads as they fly to the raised feeders and then back to the surrounding trees.
Art Deco and gannets
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
From Art Deco buildings to bird-covered beaches, New Zealand has pleasant encounters tucked in every corner.
Driving on the left
Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2007
One of my main concerns about our trip to New Zealand was learning to drive on the left side of the road. It seemed it might be about as easy as starting to speak sentences backward.
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