IMG_3250.JPGThe next day, Lauren, Elizabeth and I had signed up for horse trekking near Glenorchy.
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.
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.
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The next day, Lauren, Elizabeth and I had signed up
for horse trekking near Glenorchy.
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They outfitted us in down–under raingear and helmets,
making us instantly look like pros.
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They paired us with horses and saddled us up a few at
a time.
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I assume the hobbit hole in this photo was put there
as decoration, and isn’t presently occupied.
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Elizabeth got the feisty Trevor, because she is a more
exprienced rider.
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One of the guides deciding the safest place to cross
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The camera had some rain on the lens because it was
drizzling and cold at the start of our ride.
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The sun kept struggling to break through, which it did
do now and again.
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Riding Sef
My horse was fairly well–behaved, but liked to
be right near the front.
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Lauren on Merlin
Lauren’s horse was right behind mine most of the
trek.
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Riding Trevor
Trevor slipped back in the ranks a horse or two, so
I didn’t see Eliz much on the trail.
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Riding Trevor
He definitely liked horsing around.
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Some of these trails appeard in the Lord of the Rings
and Narnia movies, but I didn’t really hear the
talk about that from where I was.
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The guides warned us to watch the far shore rather than
the river, which made you feel like you were traveling
sideways.
Crossing the river on horseback
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Lupins!
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The rest of the afternoon was spent wandering a bit
north of the Queenstown harbor along the shore of Lake
Wakapitu.
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One of the few HDR panoramas I took on this trip.
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It seemed this trail went all the way to neighboring
Franktown, and was popular with bike commuters.
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Lancewood
The lancewood, or horoeka tree, is famous for changing
from long, serrated leaves in its junvenile form to
broader, more ordinary looking leaves as it matures.
This specimen had a bit of both.
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This is the highly touted "Ivy Box" gallery,
which was unfortunately closed when we saw it.
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Family electric skateboard
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Pond at botanic garden
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Another required dining stop recommended by Rhonda
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The dumplings were good, and the owner very friendly.
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On the way back to our hostel, we saw some Kiwis practicing
bagpipes.
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