On New Zealand’s Stunning West Coast, the Beauty Doesn’t Stop

This piece made me feel like crying with happiness. I miss the South Island and its extraordinary beauty. 

With this line (which I should have thought of), the NYT author captured precisely why we love being there: Nature, unleashed like it is on the South Island of New Zealand, has the power to reset your entire being.

Faithful readers will recognize several beloved locations, but will miss seeing the back of Art's coat in each one.  Click here for the video and text.

Why were people on White Island volcano when it erupted?

People have been asking if we ever toured White Island. The answer is no. It's not my kind of risk to take, walking around an active volcano.  Seductive online marketing (embedded in the first link below) makes it look like a walk in the park, but there are hundreds of other NZ parks to hike that aren't sitting on the edge of an active volcano.

White Island attracts 10,000 visitors annually 

Here's a link that also includes a press conference updating the situation as of 6:30 am Monday.

Click here for some perilous video shot by people who had minutes before stood on the crater's edge.

New Zealand's glaciers are turning red - and it's because of Australia's bushfires

Via CNN...
One of the most startling consequences of the bushfires that are still raging across Australia, is that they have turned some of New Zealand's famed glaciers red and pink.

Travel photographer and blogger Liz Carlson snapped the pictures of the discolored snow-capped glaciers on November 28 while on a helicopter flight around Mount Aspiring National Park, in New Zealand's South Island.  

More here

New Zealand Is Tackling Hot-Button Liberal Issues in One Swoop

Who knew abortion was a criminal activity in NZ? Hope they can drag themselves into the 21 century. Via NYT (and Uncle Jim)...

Decriminalization of abortion, the issue that may be decided in Parliament, is narrowly favored by the public. Although abortion is technically illegal in New Zealand, it is widely available to those who obtain the approval of two doctors.

Protect, Restore, Fund

Everything counts...

8000 km Later

Home to a burnished autumn, Art shows the All Blacks blanket gifted us by Selwyn and Raewyn. Sadly, the All Blacks were defeated by England in the Rugby World Cup over the weekend.

8000 km = 5000 miles on the Rover this trip. And people think there' s nothing left in NZ for us to see...

2019: Last Look Back

The road taken...

Wharariki Beach in Golden Bay

(and the spring lambs on the walk to it)

NZ rainbows

This enormous rimu tree on the Kaituna walk

Gurnard, any way it's prepared

Golden Bay's Puramahoi Fields organic produce stand

Every NZ road that looked like this

The Oparara caves and arch

The Kohaihai DOC campsite

and walking the Heaphy Track

Paparoa National Park

and the Pancake Rocks

Hokitika

Kaiteriteri

NZ springtime in October

Moeraki...and Fleur's, forever Fleur's

Raglan

Last (though truly first), our abiding NZ friends...

 Hannah and Logan,

who drove five hours round-trip to say goodbye

Selwyn and Raewyn, who welcomed us in Auckland with tea 

and keep the Rover safe

Wall at Auckland Airport

And on the Chicago end, beautiful food prepared by dear friend Rob, ready for two hungry souls. We are incredibly lucky.

Back in the US(SR)

(click here to view video if reading in email)

NZ 2019: A Look Back at the South Island Part 1

Exploring the North Island more fully with a caravan--and the exquisite campground locations it led us to--was a real joy. But arriving on the South Island always feels like coming home. Here are a few highlights as we prepare to depart. Wait why are my eyes blurring...

Mt Cook/Aoraki National Park

 

With its devastating glacier loss

 

Lake Tekapo

 

The ukelele festival in Geraldine

(click here to view if reading in email)

 

Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway

 

Lunch at the Kaikoura Seafood BBQ Truck

Marfells Beach DOC site

 

 

Elaine Bay DOC site (who needs power with these views?)

 

 

 

 

Okarito

 

Haast (and a toast to our driver)

 

Dorothy Brown's Cinema/Bar/Bookstore in Arrowtown

(not named for my dear late friend but evoking her spirit nonetheless)

 

Glenorchy, the road to Glenorchy, and all the walks in Glenorchy

 

 

 

Lake Wanaka campsite at Glendhu Bay

 

All for now. Probably more to come...