ozandnztour

Monday, 9 March 2015

MILFORD TRACK

First leg of our journey was by bus from Queenstown to TeAnau Downs.

Kitted up and ready to go.

Then a short ferry ride to our first night's accommodation at Glade Lodge. The hospitality here and for the rest of the trip was outstanding.

Glade House first night. Nature Walk in beautiful setting. This is going to be easy!

The occasional boardwalk was appreciated - easier on the feet and toes.

Pompolona Lodge Day 2
Keas, fantails, weka, bush robins on the track. Swim in the lake for the hardy - we dipped our big toes in.

Weka. or Kiwi? Hint: kiwi is nocturnal

Tree fern, otherwise known as the Ponga tree.

Keeners at the front with Guide Moon (Korean). Akiko was our Japanese guide and Richard the sole Kiwi

Wonderful flora including ferns, mosses and lichens.
This was Hump Day where we had to climb 600 metres over a 6km, zig zag track.

McKinnon Memorial greeted us at the peak, then a kilometre to the lunch hut. Now the downhill grind - our poor toes! This was a long day, but there was still one more adventure to be had - a quick visit to Sutherland Falls, 5th highest in world.

One of the 178 waterfalls along the way. I think this one is McLaren.

Day 4 Qunitin Lodge to Sandfly point before being ferried to Mitre Peak Lodge. Rained all last night. And this morning - a good test for our supplied rain gear. It failed miserably.

Stomping through ankle deep puddles like school kids, dripping like plastic shopping bags. Today feels longer than yesterday..

She'll kill me when she sees this one!

Almost there. One more corner....... right.

The rain stops..... the mist lifts.... and voila, just marvellous!

View from our last night's accommodation, Mitre Peak in the foreground.

Beautiful Milford Sound, opening on to the Tasman Sea. Cruise ships are frequent visitors to the sound (it's actually a fiord.

Refreshing way to finish a great visit to the south. Haere ra Te Wai Pounamu.

Wednesday, 25 February 2015

MAIN TRUNK LINE

WELLINGTON TO SOUTHLAND

We headed out on a sentimental journey on board the Northerner Train from Hamilton to Wellington, passing through the rugged central plateau region of the North Island. The onboard commentary described the beautiful mountains of the region including Ruapehu, Tongariro and Ngauruhoe.

Unfortunately it rained most of the time and there were no views to be had from the viewing platform. Taumarunui is Huia's home town and used to be a refreshment stop for passengers aboard trains headed north and south. Now it is just another small rural village abandoned by big retailers and many government offices.

Wellington is home to New Zealand's parliament building. It is easily recognized as the industrious Bee Hive.

The cable car gave us good views over the windy capital. We stayed with Huia's sister Val in a very small apartment before moving on to Christchurch.

Sister Jacky and her man Stevie were our hosts for the duration of our stay in Christchurch. Stevie drove us around for a look at the devastation caused by the earthquakes of five years ago. While the city will never be the same, the planners are slowly addressing the claims, providing compensation and attempting to rebuild the CBD.

They are being very creative in their use of shipping containers as barricades to prevent further damage to properties from falling debris, and as modular office spaces and shopping malls.

We were impressed with this church made entirely of recycled materials, glass and cardboard. Aesthetially - different! But very sound and environmentally friendly.

After 2 months of quality time with family and friends we headed south from Christchurch to explore the southern alps. We encountered fog and rain the first day but day 2 it cleared and we had excellent views of the lakes and mountains. Cromwell looked familiar as it has similar terrain to the south Okanagan, uses irrigation and produces all the crops we are familiar with. The old Cromwell was flooded in the 1980s to form the Clyde River Dam.

Aoraki - Mt Cook.

Swingbridges aplenty!

Good practice for Milford Track

Lake Wakatipu

Just like the Okanagan?

On the endangered list? Baa humbug, our numbers are down by half from a couple decades past, now only 30 million of us left. Bloody cows!
Next post - Milford Track!

Thursday, 12 February 2015

NORTH ISLAND NEW ZEALAND

THE NEW ZEALAND LEG
NORTH ISLAND

With brother John partway up Mt Maunganui. Yvonne already at the top.

Brad and cousin James with Julie Anna and Holly at Tay Street cafe. Last brunch.

Old rugby mates swimmimg in Peachgrove Bay after our 40th reunion celebration last night!

Cathedral Cove Sanctuary, Whitianga. All marine life protected here over a wide area.

View from our 55 ft Launch, at Great Mercury Island owned by Michael Fay of America's Cup fame (briefly)

Mmmm, scallops and salad. Have you noticed how much Huia's family enjoy their food!!!

Did I mention we love food?

Yep. Here we are on brother in law Gibson's boat, having Birthday Breakfast. Happy Birthday Gib!

John's Hangi Cooker (Not the traditional method!) Food is layered in baskets.

Top layer is covered with Foil. Add a little water then turn on the gas.

Result........ instant hangi (well, 2 hours but no hot rocks or fire to light, but thirst inducing nevertheless, and yummy good)

Snapper anyone? Erin displays our morning's catch.

Three Beauties.

And another three.

Off to the South Island for the final leg. Soon be Spring Break thank goodness, time for a rest.

Thursday, 18 December 2014

Last Post in Oz

As we get set to leave the Land of Oz and head off for greener pastures we would like to share some final moments from this wonderful land. We have enjoyed its many landscapes, from rain forests to mango swamps; mountain ranges, canyons, gorges and lakes; eucalypts to olives, bananas, macadamias, pineapples, sugar cane and vineyards. Its unique flora and fauna are fascinating. Aussies spend a lot of money on infrastructure of highways, cities, parks and recreation facilities and sport and recreation generally, especially their footy (3 different codes) plus soccer (4 I guess), swimming and cricket. They are a proud nation and we love them (most of the time). Good on ya's mates! We wish everyone a Happy and safe Christmas. Catch you next year. Huia and Yvonne

Yes, Rowan. There really is a Santa Claus. Darling Harbour in Sydney.