Writing is like a good barbecue sauce, if it ain't bold, it ain't worth doing.
The waters off the coast of Lifou Island in the South Pacific are nothing short of spectacular. These colors were so vivid in person they didn’t even feel real. Of course, they were real and seeing them so close was a real treat.
Want to see more photos from our trip? Here’s a link where you can check out all the entries in our travel journal.
One of our interests while traveling to New Zealand was to learn more about the Maoris. Fortunately, we had several opportunities to visit historical sites or events such as this Maori welcoming ceremony. And though the experience isn’t the same as it would be in a remote area or perhaps a hundred years ago, it’s as close as a modern tourist can get.
The really nice thing about this particular ceremony was that it was done by a small, local group and was not highly commercialized. I attended another of these ceremonies at a larger venue and, while it was extremely well done, it reminded me all too much of a commercial venture. This one, on the other hand, felt authentic and real.
Want to see more photos from our trip? Here’s a link where you can check out all the entries in our travel journal.
One of the coolest places we visited during our 2019 trip to New Zealand was a kiwi farm. It was a hot day in the valley where this farm is located, but under the shade of the kiwis, it was cool and pleasant. We weren’t allowed to pick the fruit, but we did get an education about kiwi fruit and how this golden kiwi is one of the best.
By the way, the kiwi is actually a Chinese gooseberry vine. Even though we didn’t get to pick right off the trees, we did go to a local store where there were all kinds of products to tempt the palate, including ice cream!
Want to see more photos from our trip? Here’s a link where you can check out all the entries in our travel journal.
Click here to learn more about the story of New Zealanders and how they came to be called ‘kiwis’.
Don’t get this Zealandia confused with the continental shelf by the same name. This one is in Wellington, New Zealand and we visited during our 2019 trip to New Zealand. This was a great experience. Much like all other organized tours, there simply wasn’t enough time to see everything we’d have liked.
The Zealandia wildlife refuge is a fully-fenced urban ecosanctuary. They have a 500-year vision to restore the valley forest and freshwater ecosystems as closely as possible to their pre-human state. An organization with a 500-year vision is very unusual, but they are intent on reintroducing species of native wildlife, some of which have been absent from mainland New Zealand for more than 100 years.
Check out last week’s Friday Foto, Friday Fotos – Hawkes Bay Express is a stylish ride.
This "lake" is actually part of a dam, which became part of Zealandia when it began.
This building is called the Beehive. It's where the Executive Offices of the New Zealand Parliament are located.
Unable to fly, these birds fall prey to mammalian predators.
This is a very popular exhibit and requires separate tickets, which we didn't have. It was also sold out!
Our guide told us she was bothered by this interpretation of a Maori meeting house for several years, then one day had an epiphany and now understands it.
This beautiful stained glass was in the same area as the Maori 'house'.
In last week’s post, Friday Fotos – Napier is the Art Deco capital of New Zealand, I mentioned that the train in Napier was a fun way to see the sites. Well, here it is, the Hawkes Bay Express! Isn’t this a beauty? The owner hand built it and it truly is the perfect complement to the old-timey Art Deco atmosphere in town. The insides of the Hawkes Bay Express are decorated in vintage style, and the owner is dressed appropriately for the era.
Want to learn more about Napier? Click here to visit their website..
Outdoor tables are common and the atmosphere is relaxing
Here's another of those beautiful pieces from the central garden
Once glue had been applied to the binding, the pages set
Art deco is king in Napier.
This was an early morning shore excursion, so we had to be up bright and early!
The old cars attached to the engine were also created by the owner.
Upon our arrival in Napier, we discovered that it was a very cool little town with a surprising past. The architecture is amazing, and it all came about because a natural disaster gave the town an opportunity to remake itself into something truly special.
Unfortunately, the day we were in Napier the weather was cold and windy. We weren’t feeling much like braving the elements and decided to take a tram ride so we could check out the downtown area and see the sights. The train was another treat. It had been hand built by the owner and was the perfect complement to the old-timey atmosphere. Want to learn more about Napier? Click here to visit their website..
Did you miss last week’s photo? You’ll find it in Friday Fotos – Russell shore excursion began early.
Up and down the streets, art deco is the design theme.
Art deco is king in Napier.
Art deco is king in Napier.
Just one example of the art deco style that runs throughout downtown Napier
Napier might only have 57,000 residents, but it oozes style.
Just in case you want to fit in with the Napier building style!
Our guide leaving the Napier Customhouse, which has been restored thanks to a group of locals
