Tuesday, December 17, 2019

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.


Monday, December 9, 2019

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.

Thursday, December 5, 2019

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.  

Monday, October 28, 2019

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...

Friday, October 18, 2019

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.














Tuesday, October 15, 2019

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
 
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...