Akaroa
The Banks Peninsula was created by violent volcanic eruptions long, long ago. The result today is rolling green hills with vistas of the sea and picturesque bays from their summits. We stayed just outside Akaroa, originally a French Settlement (though the British jumped in just before the settlers arrived and officially claimed the area under […]
New Home
Christ Church was a pleasant city with the Avon River meandering through and punters giving people a ride along it. There were lots of historic buildings, monuments, parks and gardens, and some nice public spaces. We walked into the old Canturbury Provincial Council Building and were amazed at the stained glass, painted, ornate wood and […]
Halloween in Eden
After checking out the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, where local Maori and British signed their famous and much contested agreement in 1840. Back in Auckland, we stopped at Mt. Eden, highest of the 48 volcanic craters found around the city. It’s 196 m high and from the top you can see down about 50 meters into […]
Sweet Penguin: Russell and the Bay of Islands
The 144 islands that make up the Bay of Islands, New Zealand make up an amazing aquatic playground for sailing, swimming, diving and dolphin-spotting. Having stumbled upon a great self-contained apartment available for a couple of nights at a great price yesterday, we were lucky enough to do some exploring here. The spacious yet cozy unit […]
The End of the Earth
This morning we head up the coast to 90-mile Beach it’s the place where, according to Maori legend, the spirits of the dead head to begin their journey to the afterlife. They slip down the Pohutukawa tree that is apparently still visible nearby. At Cape Reinga, the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean meet. You […]
Kauri Forests
In the Maori tradition, Northland is said to be the tail of the fish Maui caught when he went to sea to prove to his brothers he was a great fisherman. The whole north island is this fish, and the South Island is the canoe he was fishing from. The whole area is rich in […]
Auckland
It seemed almost strange to have to take out our passports again, but yes, we have crossed another border. Our flight into New Zealand provided spectacular views of rolling hills, turquoise water and a first glimpse at New Zealand’s biggest city. We spent our first days orienting ourselves, catching the blog up after our whirlwind […]
Bondi
Today was the day I met Pete for the second time. The first time had been 22 years ago, as exchange students in Japan. Though we were just teens then, I guess we were pretty good judges of character, since the four of us (Donny and Pete’s partner Kate included) had a wonderful day exploring, walking, chatting […]
A Manly Walk
The weather made a complete turnaround, and Friday was beautiful. A ferry ride from Circular Quay offered great views of the Harbour and deposited us at Manly Wharf on the other side. We gawked enviously at the waterfront homes along the bay as we began the 9 kilometer Manly Scenic Walk. We passed picturesque Fairlight […]
Walking in the Rain
The weather hadn’t improved much, but we had to make the most of our limited time, so we head out on another journey on foot. At the end of Victoria Street were the McElhone Stairs, over a hundred of them, leading down to Cowper Wharf Road, which runs along Wooloomooloo Bay. Not too far from there […]