Seeing as this blog started out as a way to let the family know what we have been up to in NZ... and now a few of the family have been across, I'm going to take a break from here for 2013.
I have loved sharing my experiences in NZ with you, it is an amazing country and we have enjoyed ourselves so much, we are staying longer.
<3 !
Monday, December 10, 2012
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Local Santa Parade - Henderson
This weekend we trotted along to the local parade, and had a completely lovely time.
It was small, it was funny seeing all the branded vehicles towing flatbeds with other branded vehicles (lots of go-carts), and the traffic in the area was successfully turned into a nightmare.
Despite this, the atmosphere was a heck of a lot of fun, and we got lollies and cheers, and the marching bands were really quite awesome. There were also some original vehicles in the parade, which were fantastic, the original firetruck made us marvel at how far technology has come.
My favourite Bank, and my favourite burger restaurant were in the parade, so that was also a plus :)
For some reason, nothing quite says Christmas like men in kilts and the resounding drum beats with the wails of a bagpipe band... *sigh of contentment*
It was small, it was funny seeing all the branded vehicles towing flatbeds with other branded vehicles (lots of go-carts), and the traffic in the area was successfully turned into a nightmare.
Despite this, the atmosphere was a heck of a lot of fun, and we got lollies and cheers, and the marching bands were really quite awesome. There were also some original vehicles in the parade, which were fantastic, the original firetruck made us marvel at how far technology has come.
My favourite Bank, and my favourite burger restaurant were in the parade, so that was also a plus :)
For some reason, nothing quite says Christmas like men in kilts and the resounding drum beats with the wails of a bagpipe band... *sigh of contentment*
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Overland from East to West... via Gore
We headed off to the next coast, passing through a few towns on the way.
We saw the rural way to go over a fence,
The bridge at Balclutha,
Some more of the southern island locals,
The fish at Gore,
... and plenty of open road.
We saw the rural way to go over a fence,
The bridge at Balclutha,
Some more of the southern island locals,
The fish at Gore,
... and plenty of open road.
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Otago Peninsula Dunedin
Another place well worth making time for, we were up here often, just driving through the scenery, the views, the wildlife... the sheep.
It's very gusty of the ocean side, so bring jackets! We loved how the area is designed to be user friendly for tourists while maintaining the space and environs for those who live in the area. Sadly we didn't see any penguins, but we felt connected with nature, it's great to be 'removed' from the city, even if just for a short while :)
http://www.otago-peninsula.co.nz
Someone needs to help this poor fellow get the twig out of his face... I wonder if he even realises it's there?
It's very gusty of the ocean side, so bring jackets! We loved how the area is designed to be user friendly for tourists while maintaining the space and environs for those who live in the area. Sadly we didn't see any penguins, but we felt connected with nature, it's great to be 'removed' from the city, even if just for a short while :)
http://www.otago-peninsula.co.nz
Someone needs to help this poor fellow get the twig out of his face... I wonder if he even realises it's there?
Friday, July 27, 2012
Dunedin - Chinese Gardens
I always love a good Chinese garden, I love the moon gates, the way the buildings and the lakes are laid out, and the Koi.
Dunedin was a wonderful example of how a Chinese garden should be - my other favourite is in Sydney :) https://www.dunedin.govt.nz/dcg
What was extra special, after we clambered through the stone waterfall, we could purchase feed for the fish. This just added to the experience and enjoyment of the kids, making the whole visit that much more special.
Dunedin was a wonderful example of how a Chinese garden should be - my other favourite is in Sydney :) https://www.dunedin.govt.nz/dcg
What was extra special, after we clambered through the stone waterfall, we could purchase feed for the fish. This just added to the experience and enjoyment of the kids, making the whole visit that much more special.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Dunedin - Cadbury Chocolate Factory
Oh my Yummy Yummy Yummy!
The best value tour we went on, so much Chocolate samples, so cheap to buy from the shop, so much too look at and the smell!!
For around $60 for the whole family, we had a fantastic experience. The chocolate drop of around 1 Tonne of liquid chocolate in the silo was both loud and insane.
We were fortunate enough to get a 'double' helping of the melted chocolate sample to taste, along with a variety of chocolate samples through out the tour.
The Golden mountain below are all Crunchie bars... my favourite... enough to make you cry!
How many Cocoa beans would you value yourself at? If a slave is 100...
One of the original cars, purple is such a happy colour :)
Did you know... it takes 6 months for them to make the chocolate for NZ for Easter.... and 2 weeks for it to get eaten! Madness!
The best value tour we went on, so much Chocolate samples, so cheap to buy from the shop, so much too look at and the smell!!
For around $60 for the whole family, we had a fantastic experience. The chocolate drop of around 1 Tonne of liquid chocolate in the silo was both loud and insane.
We were fortunate enough to get a 'double' helping of the melted chocolate sample to taste, along with a variety of chocolate samples through out the tour.
The Golden mountain below are all Crunchie bars... my favourite... enough to make you cry!
How many Cocoa beans would you value yourself at? If a slave is 100...
One of the original cars, purple is such a happy colour :)
Did you know... it takes 6 months for them to make the chocolate for NZ for Easter.... and 2 weeks for it to get eaten! Madness!
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Dunedin - Railway Station
History and Beauty, a wonderful place to see how things were over 100 years ago, with one of the most photoigraphed buildings in New Zealand.
The detail in the tiles and patterns in stunning, and the stained glass windows are kept in pristine condition. The gardens are lovely and the sponsorship walk with the printed bricks makes for something special.
We could have spent a lot longer around here, seeing the art shop and catching a tourist train, but simply didn't have the time. It ended up being a quick stop, a few photos, and a lasting impression.
The detail in the tiles and patterns in stunning, and the stained glass windows are kept in pristine condition. The gardens are lovely and the sponsorship walk with the printed bricks makes for something special.
Monday, June 11, 2012
Dunedin - World's Steepest Street
This is truly a one of a kind, and I have to say I don't envy the people who live on this street.
We drove up to the bottom of the hill, looked at it and said "Nope, I don't trust that the car will make it".
So we got out and walked, took photos, commented on how much our calves were complaining, had a breather at the top, walked back to the bottom and got certificates to prove we were here.
Sadly, we weren't there at the Jaffa Festival... THAT is the only way it could get better ;)
http://chocolatecarnival.co.nz/jaffa_race
We drove up to the bottom of the hill, looked at it and said "Nope, I don't trust that the car will make it".
So we got out and walked, took photos, commented on how much our calves were complaining, had a breather at the top, walked back to the bottom and got certificates to prove we were here.
Sadly, we weren't there at the Jaffa Festival... THAT is the only way it could get better ;)
http://chocolatecarnival.co.nz/jaffa_race
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Dunedin - Larnach Castle
There are gems all over this island, and Dunedin holds a great many, we visited so many things while in town... if it was only 10 degrees warmer... there may be more residents, but then you would lose the charm.
We loved the peninsula, driving along the ridges of the landscape amongst the sheep, looking over a harbour on one side and the ocean on the other. Then on the top of the peninsula a real slice of history - Larnach Castle. www.larnachcastle.co.nz
The effort involved in shipping the materials from all around the world in the 1860's is truly remarkable, and the end result, astounding!
The gardens were beautifully kept, and we enjoyed a devonshire tea in the ballroom. A real treat. If you get to this part of the world, make the time for a visit, you won't regret it.
We loved the peninsula, driving along the ridges of the landscape amongst the sheep, looking over a harbour on one side and the ocean on the other. Then on the top of the peninsula a real slice of history - Larnach Castle. www.larnachcastle.co.nz
The effort involved in shipping the materials from all around the world in the 1860's is truly remarkable, and the end result, astounding!
The gardens were beautifully kept, and we enjoyed a devonshire tea in the ballroom. A real treat. If you get to this part of the world, make the time for a visit, you won't regret it.
Friday, May 11, 2012
Christchurch
For a city that shook, it has been doing an incredible job tidying up the dregs of the buildings and the rubble on the streets.
When we drove through, we could see boarded windows, protective fencing, empty blocks of land, and some buildings still being pulled down.
What amazed me most was on one street everything was fine and dandy, yet around the corner a full block was turned to rubble.
In the clean up process it seems as though they had run out of room, and we saw a large warehouse / shelter that was full to the roof with broken pieces of buildings. Really brought home just how much work has been done... and how much there still is to go.
When we drove through, we could see boarded windows, protective fencing, empty blocks of land, and some buildings still being pulled down.
What amazed me most was on one street everything was fine and dandy, yet around the corner a full block was turned to rubble.
In the clean up process it seems as though they had run out of room, and we saw a large warehouse / shelter that was full to the roof with broken pieces of buildings. Really brought home just how much work has been done... and how much there still is to go.
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