DSC_0881.JPGWe had to get up at 3:30 the next morning to catch the 4:15am bus with Brian & Yen to the ballooning we signed up for on the Canterbury Plains.
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.
Page 10, wherein we meet the others for some street food and fireworks to celebrate Guy Fawkes Day. The next morning, we leave our bus for a ferry ride to the south island. (Just in time as it turns out, since Ronnie lost her rear suspension towards the end and broke down completely when the next group took her over.)
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.
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We had to get up at 3:30 the next morning to catch the
4:15am bus with Brian & Yen to the ballooning we
signed up for on the Canterbury Plains.
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The weather was perfect for floating.
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They posed people in front of the burner.
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I tried to capture an HDR version, but it’s a
challenge.
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The burners laying on their sides, getting ready for
the real task of lofting the balloon.
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First, it had to be filled with air.
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They used two petrol–powered fans for that job,
and Eliz took part by holding one end and trying not
to get blown away.
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Once there was room for a flame, they lit the burner.
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Aiming it so it doesn’t singe the side seemed
crucial.
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Amateur with a GoPro.
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Yen & Brian
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Shortly after takeoff
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We four were joined by about nine others, plus the pilot
(black cap taking someone’s photo).
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He was expert and heating the balloon to control its
altitude, which to some extent also controlled direction
if you could figure out where the wind was going at
different heights.
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Sunrise, in the direction of the waning moon.
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Long shadows everywhere...
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This was part of a massive irrigation project, we were
told.
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Balloon shadow
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Our pilot flew us very low at some points — I’d
say 10 meters or so.
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Farmers have lots of land, so don’t really bother
getting rid of their old vehicles.
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Our reflection in a pond
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Cows being herded in by electric corral
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Apparently, landing the basket on its side is standard
practice, and we were admonished to bend our knees and
hold on to the loops provided.
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The lower deck got out first.
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There was still frost on the ground from the night before,
which meant cold toes in our sneakers.
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It was a great ride, which lasted about an hour.
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We then helped gather the balloon together.
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Which stuffed into a smallish bag that two people could
handle (better with four).
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Getting the last of the air out
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Loading the basket into the wagon after the balloon.
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The bus had gotten stuck on the way over at a small
stream, and we’d managed to push it through.
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We celebrated with mimosas. (Some just had champagne,
others just orange juice.)
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Predictably, the now much heavier bus got stuck on the
way back over the stream, this time needing a tow to
free it because the hitch had really dug into the dirt.
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It was still morning when we arrived back to Christchurch,
so we decided to wander about and take in the sights.
Eliz fancied this old–style phone booth.
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We also visited the Arts Center, a public art gallery
in historic buildings.
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There was a dedicated show at this gallery, but I don’t
recall the artist’s name.
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The entry to the courtyard was fabulous.
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We then went to the Christchurch Art Museum, which was
nearby.
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The building itself is amazing.
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Those are either flourescent tube lights or LEDs made
to look like them — I coun’t tell.
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Just getting different perspectives...
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This was a painting by a Maori artist Elizabeth particularly
liked.
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We both took pictures of these guys.
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And this portrait painted by Laura Herford in 1868.
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There was also this extraordinary exhibit of animated
sculptures by Len Lye.
Page 13, wherein we meet up with our group and head out to Tekapo, where we were 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