The World Through Our Lens
After the previous day’s wet hike on the Taranaki Falls Trail in Mt. Tongariro National Park, both Bob and I came down with colds. It was time for some R&R and a slower paced couple of days before we made the ferry crossing to New Zealand’s South Island. Absolute Beachfront B&B in Napier made a good spot for just that. Masses of flamboyant flowers on the beach were just waiting to be discovered by Bob and me.
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Receiving word that access to the Tongariro Alpine Crossing was once again forbidden owing to risky conditions, Bob and I had our last day in Mt. Tongariro National Park, New Zealand, wide open. The morning looked promising with sun shining brightly when we awoke at our lodgings, at Creel Lodge. Read more
With winds predicted between 85-95 kilometres/hour on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing in New Zealand, our plans for the day were dashed. The pass was deemed too dangerous to allow access to hikers, so Bob and I resorted to our alternate plan. We drove back to Huka Falls in Wairakei Park. Read more
After our peaceful and relaxing walkabout Hamurana Springs Reserve in Rotorua, Bob and I drove south to Wai-o-tapu Thermal Wonderland. It is New Zealand’s most colourful and diverse geothermal area. Read more
Wild Kea are very playful and inquisitive birds with an insatiable urge to explore and manipulate things. We had been warned to monitor the Kea’s antics around our vehicle; we soon understood why! Read more
On one overcast and damp day in New Zealand, Bob and I decided to drive from Rotorua into the countryside for a tour of the Waitomo Glowworm Caves. It seemed a good way to make use of a dreary day. Before our tour, we passed a couple of hours at the Otorohanga Kiwi House & Native Bird Park. Read more
Bob and I had a long list of sights to see in New Zealand and first up was the gannet colony at Muriwai Regional Park just outside of Auckland. Over 2,000 Australasian Gannets make up the colony at Muriwai, which is one of only three mainland gannet colonies in New Zealand. Read more
Way before Bob and I decided to go to New Zealand, I held close to my heart the idea of one day visiting Hobbiton. Just as Frodo’s adventure began when he exuberantly ran from Hobbiton along Gandalf’s Cutting, so our adventure began by entering Middle Earth along that same narrow footpath. Read more
On our last day in Rotorua, New Zealand, there was ample time to enjoy the morning at a leisurely pace before setting off for our next destination, Tauranga. Our hosts at Panorama Country Homestay recommended a visit to nearby Hamurana Springs for a morning amble. Read more