DSC_0490.JPGIn the evening, we joined the others to check out the night market and grab some ethnic food.
Towards the end of October, Eliz & I took about three weeks holiday in New Zealand, having signed up for Haka Tours North-South island adventure tour. This was my selfish birthday present to Elizabeth, and I had insisted despite our busy schedules that we go before the end of the calendar year. We had a terrific time, and met a wonderful group of young people who had also signed on. (While Haka assured us we wouldn't be the oldest ones on our tour, we had at least a quarter century on all of them.)
Between us, we took almost 3000 photos, which I've winnowed down to about 750. I've further broken these into 24 pages, which you can jump between more easily. A few of the pages have linked video, or will have when I get around to uploading them.
Page 1, wherein we arrive to Auckland and explore the town and harbor.
Page 2, wherein we meet our tour group and head in the bus for our first destination on the north island, Whtianga.
Page 3, wherein a handful of our group go on a "black water rafting" adventure and check out a glow worm cave.
Page 4, wherein we check out a swing bridge and the Blue Spring, where the majority of New Zealand's bottled water originates. That night, we dine with the Mitai tribe and are treated to a demonstration of some Maori traditions.
Page 5, wherein Elizabeth and I go zip-lining in a native rain forest.
Page 6, wherein we visit the Waiotapu Thermal Park and check out the natural hot springs and Huka waterfall in Taupo.
Page 7, wherein we sail Lake Taupo on a boat that once belonged to Errol Flynn.
Page 8, wherein we enjoy a group barbecue and try our hands at Gumboot Throwing. We arrive to Wellington and enjoy a nice dinner.
Page 9, wherein Eliz and I hike to a view atop Mount Victoria, then check out the Wellington museum and the botanical gardens.
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In the evening, we joined the others to check out the
night market and grab some ethnic food.
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There were many good–looking choices on offer.
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After, we spent a short time at a nearby bar, waiting
for the sun to set.
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Once it got dark enough, we were promised fireworks
in celebration of Guy Fawkes Day.
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From our viewing spot, the moon would prove an active
participant in the display.
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The next morning, we abandoned our beloved Ronnie (the
bus) and took a short ride to the ferry for the south
island.
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Turns out, we left Ronnie just in time, as she broke
down the first day the next Haka group took her over.
(We noticed that the back suspension seemed to be missing,
as it threatened to break our spines every time it hit
a bump.)
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The ferry was big.
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Really big.
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And it held a lot of people and vehicles, some with
their own cargo.
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Some of our group spent the time playing card games.
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Others slept through most of it, possibly due to seasickness
pills they took.
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Jenny conversing with one of the other Haka tour guides.
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The wind on the top deck was quite strong.
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Some took a more sheltered position.
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The view was worth it, though.
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This was another of the inter–island ferries,
but a little different design than the one we were on.
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Disembarking (deferrying?)
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Wendy
On the south island, we boarded a similar but newer
bus, with a new name. (We still called ourselves "Ronnie’s
Rovers," though.)
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Eliz enjoying some local muscles.
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Cloudy Bay
Our first stop on the south island was a well–known
winery.
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They featured an extensive grounds behind the main house.
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It was a great place to relax.
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And hang out...
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They also had a gravel boules field, which added a healthy
dose of random chance to the game.
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The tasters went inside.
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Eliz tells me the wine was excellent.
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Happy campers hit the road.
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Towards evening, we made a pit stop at Lake Rotoiti.
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The usual camera party snapped away.
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I think Brian was operating the camera Yen was holding.
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The eels lay in wait for clumsy tourists.
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They’re actually quite harmless.
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The swans, however...
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One of my favorite photos from the trip. (Eliz took
it.)
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At this snowy pit stop on our way to Hanmer Springs,
Jenny had to hold the camera very steady for this half
second exposure, as it was getting quite dark.
Page 11, wherein we travel to Kaikoura, and Eliz & I swim with some dolphins. We end the day at a nice Haka lodge in Christchurch.
Page 12, wherein we go hot-air ballooning with Yen & Brian, then check out the Christchurch Art Museum.
Page 13, wherein we meet up with our group and head out to Tekapo, where we wer all surprised by a snowstorm in the night.
Page 14, wherein we enjoy our first afternoon in Queenstown and take a gondola up to Bob's Peak to be amazed by the view and learn how to luge.
Page 15, wherein Eliz & I are joined by Lauren on a horse trek near Glenorchy.
Page 16, wherein Jon, Brian, and Yen join us in a "canyoning" adventure that was more than we'd signed up for.
Page 17, wherein Eliz & I enjoy a leisurely day on Lake Wakapitu.
Page 18, wherein we drive over a mountain pass to get to Wanaka. The following day, most of us take a hike up Mount Iron. Some of us also go to see "The Lonely Tree"
Page 19, wherein we make a number of stops for beauty on the way to the Franz Josef glacier.
Page 20, wherein some of our group hike to see the glacier.
Page 21, wherein about half of us go on a final group kayaking adventure on Lake Mapourika.
Page 22, wherein some brave singers stand up for karaoke night at the pub. The next day, we stop in Hokitika and see some live kiwi birds on our way to catch the train in Greymouth.
Page 23, wherein everyone but our leader boards the Alpine Express bound for Christchurch, the final destination for the organized part of our trip.
Page 24, wherein Eliz & I have a final day on our own in Christchurch, which we spend wandering in search of good eats and take a ferry to Diamond harbor. We also finally get a chance to check out the Christchurch botanical garden, which is definitely worth the visit.
Page created Nov 27 2017