New Zealand

Friday Fotos – Skyline Queenstown, top of the mountain

April 17, 2020 By Terry Leave a Comment

This is the end of the line for the gondola lift out of Queenstown up the mountain to Skyline Queenstown.

What a ride! As you’re climbing up the mountain to Skyline Queenstown, there are times when it looks like you’re heading straight into the side of the mountain. Those of us with our backs to the mountain were treated to a gorgeous view of the lake and valley, but the ones facing the mountain had a couple of minor panic attacks.

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Waterjetting, anyone? — This waterjet demonstration drew lots of attention during our walk through Queenstown. Can't imagine a novice would be that good!

Queenstown along the shore of Lake Wakatipu — These shops along the shore of Lake Wakatip are part of the core shopping district in downtown Queenstown

From the shores of Lake Wakatipu at Queenstown, New Zealand

First Church of Otago — Built in 1873, this Gothic style church stands in the heart of Dunedin.

Prince's Gate Arches — There's a beautiful park in Rotorua, and the Prince's Gate arches guard the entrance.

Auckland Sky Tower in black-and-white — The Auckland Sky Tower was only two blocks from our hotel. Our visit occured right after the Christchurch shootings, during which time the tower was kept dark at night.

Auckland skyline at sunset — This was our view at dinner as we sailed out of Auckland. Normally, I wouldn't shoot through glass, but the view was too good to pass up.

Spitfire airplane inside Auckland War Memorial — This complete Spitfire airplane was brought into the museum through the roof.

Friday Fotos – New Zealand fur seals hang out at Milford Sound

August 30, 2019 By Terry Leave a Comment

New Zealand Fur Seals resting — This group of fur seals was just hanging out on the rocks. Not a bad job if you can get it!

Hanging out at Milford Sound with the seals

On the second half of our Milford Sound tour, the boat slowed for this family of New Zealand fur seals. These guys are HUGE. They seem to love the sun and warmth radiated by the rocks. Given that they spend hours each day looking for food, it’s no wonder they wanted a little time to ‘lay out.’ Did you know there’s a layer of fresh water that lies above the salt water in Milford Sound. The fresh water is a brisk 8 degrees Celsius, which translates to 46 degrees F. Once the seals get through that chilly top layer of fresh water, they hunt for food in a balmy 12 degrees C (56 – 58 F).

Want to see more photos from our trip? Here’s a link where you can find all the entries in our travel journal.

More photos from Milford Sound

Mirror Lakes reflection — The reflection of the mountains in Mirror Lakes.

With clear water and no wind, Mirror Lakes reflects the mountains beyond.

On the way to MIlford Sound — In the National Park, this is one of the many creeks and rivers.

Milford Sound — We were so lucky to have such a beautiful day.

Milford Sound tours — Milford Sound is a popular place for tours.

The Tasman Sea — Here's the coastline of New Zealand along the Tasman Sea.

The Milford Monarch Bell — This weathered bell has been on the front of the Milford Monarch since 1994. No longer used, it's a beautiful decoration.

New Zealand Fur Seal — This fur seal woke up when we cruised by and did a little stretch.

Almost under the waterfall — This was my last clear shot. After this, the lens was getting too wet and I had to seek cover.

Mirror Lakes - the world upside down — The mountains refledted perfectly in the still water create the illusion of a world upside down. And the fish swim underneath.

Milford Sound - a small boat cruises the sound — Milford Sound is a truly spectacular place, filled with waterfalls and towering mountains carved by glaciers.

Milford Sound - another view — Protected from the Tasman Sea, the waters are calm in Milford Sound. This small sailbloat had no problem cruising the fjord.

Milford Sound - the Tasman Sea just beyond — At this point in our journey of Milford Sound, we were nearing the Tasman Sea. The surface looked calm, but don't let that fool you. It's rough out there!

Mirror Lakes - a pefect reflection — With absolutely now wind, the water was as still as could be. The reflection was so clear it could be hard to know it from the real mountain!

In the woods at The Chasm — A walkway at The Chasm in Fjordland National Park in New Zealand meanders through these amazing woods.

Rushing water at The Chasm — There's nothing like the sound of rushing water. It just begs for a photo op!

Approaching the falls at Milford Sound — I found a spot on the front of the boat as we neared the falls. Didn't give up until the spray became dangerous to my camera's health!

Milford Sound surrounded by towering peaks — As we neared the end of our journey of Milford Sound, the incoming clouds provided one last postcard photo op.

Friday Fotos – Milford Sound meets the Tasman Sea

August 23, 2019 By Terry Leave a Comment

Milford Sound meets the Tasman Sea

The journey to this point had been slow and smooth. But once the Tasman Sea came into view, it’s influence and power became obvious. At first, our ferry boat just rolled a little. As we made our way out onto the open ocean, we found ourselves moving up, down, and sideways. On what was actually a calm day, the Tasman Sea gave us the barest hint of its power.

Want to see more photos from trip? Here’s a link where you can find all the entries in our travel journal.

More photos from Milford Sound

Friday Fotos – Milford Sound – another view

August 16, 2019 By Terry Leave a Comment

Small sailboat sailing Milford Sound

There’s not a lot of boat traffic on Milford Sound—or maybe that’s just an illusion because it’s so darned big. This fjord draws visitors from all over the world and is cruised by about anything from a small boat on up to a cruise ship. We made two tours of Milford Sound, one on a moderate-sized ferry, the other on the MS Noordam. The pristine waters are amazing, and the weather can change in an instant. This is an awe-inspiring place—a wonder not to be missed.

Want to see more photos from trip? Here’s a link where you can find all the entries in our travel journal.

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Friday Fotos – small boat cruises Milford Sound

August 9, 2019 By Terry Leave a Comment

Cruising Milford Sound

Milford Sound is one of those awe-inspiring places that draws visitors from around the world. It was certainly one of our top things to do in New Zealand. The really great thing about our trip is that we were able to see Milford Sound twice. The first time was midday on our land tour, and the second was at dawn on the MS Noordam. This photo was taken on that second trip. As you can see, with the exception of the small boat out there on the water, the heavy cloud cover gave everything a gray appearance.

Want to see more photos from trip? Here’s a link where you can find all the entries in our travel journal.

Friday Fotos — More from Fjordland National Park

June 21, 2019 By Terry Leave a Comment

Part of Fjordland National Park in New Zealand

Along the way to Milford Sound, one of the sights to see is The Chasm. While The Chasm is a beautiful nature walk on a path traveling through the trees and over a river, it was not an easy place to get photos. Not far away, however, is this pass. You can still see snow on the mountains even though we were at the end of summer.

Want to see more photos from trip? Here’s a link where you can find all the entries in our travel journal.

Friday Fotos – Skyline Queenstown, top of the mountain

More photos from New Zealand

Friday Fotos – New Zealand fur seals hang out at Milford Sound

Hanging out at Milford Sound with the seals

More photos from Milford Sound

Friday Fotos – Milford Sound meets the Tasman Sea

Milford Sound meets the Tasman Sea

More photos from Milford Sound

Friday Fotos – Milford Sound – another view

Small sailboat sailing Milford Sound

More photos from New Zealand

Friday Fotos – small boat cruises Milford Sound

Cruising Milford Sound

Friday Fotos — More from Fjordland National Park

Part of Fjordland National Park in New Zealand

More photos from the trip to Milford Sound

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More photos from New Zealand

Hanging out at Milford Sound with the seals

More photos from Milford Sound

Milford Sound meets the Tasman Sea

More photos from Milford Sound

Small sailboat sailing Milford Sound

More photos from New Zealand

Cruising Milford Sound

Part of Fjordland National Park in New Zealand

More photos from the trip to Milford Sound

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