The Last Day!

The last days Photos are: The Circa Theatre and the coastline of NZ near Island Bay.

What a great trip. Thanks to all for following my travels. I will see you soon.

Love you all.

Kerry

PS. NZ people are the most wonderful people. They are fiercely proud of their heritage and gracious. They are kind and smile a lot. I have had a tremendous time and bring home much more than just photos: I bring home a lifetime of memories.

Wellington and the Surrounds

Photos:Sails in the morning in the bay, Wellington from Mt. Victoria, Flowers at the Botanic Gardens, Hydrangeas for Michele, The Cable Car, Crayfish toilets, Civic Square, Cuba St. (for Juan)

Morning was spectacular on Island Bay. I ate breakfast overlooking the amazing sight. I took the bus into the city and started walking around. I went up the Cable Car tot he top and walked down through the Botanic Gardens, which were in full bloom. Lovely.

I walked past the old cemetary, which I don't take photos of, but some of the engravings were very old, past delis, Indian and Asian food, winding streets and clear weather. wellington is heaped in traditions of the Maori people and work very heard to preserve it.

I walked down Lambton Quay, a high rent shopping district., along the harbour front, with its great walkways and visual delights. One of the visuals was a toilet in the shape of a crayfish. Very interesting. Cuba St. was a pedestrian walkway with lots of cafes and shops.

I met a friend for lunch and then she took me up to the top of Mt.Victoria where there was a lookout over the entire city. Wonderful. The houses on the hill are old and made of wood in case of an earthquake. We stopped at the Old St. Paul's church and the building was also made of timbers.

I am going to meet her later at the Circa Theatre for a NZ play.

Love
Kerry

Ah! Wellington and Island Bay

Today's photos: The Interislander Ferry at Picton, Marlborough Straits crossing, View from the Lighthouse, Inside views of the Lighthouse.

Hi All! I am in Wellington and loving the island life! I crossed from Picton to Wellington on a humungous ship, room for 2,000 cars and trucks and 1600 people. It was amazing. It took about 3 and 1/2 hours to cross. The views of the mountains and sea were difficult to describe, even for me. It was a calm crossing, hardly any waves, just a bit of wind. Picton and Wellington are windy and cooler than Nelson.

After collecting my suitcase, I boarded a shuttle bus for a short ride to the train station where I waited an interminally long time for the right bus to go to Island Bay. I eventually arrived and as I walked along the bay toward the lighthouse, the sea was gently crashing on the rocks, seaweed looked like dolphins swimming and dark rocks looked like fur seals, which of course was only an illusion.

I saw the Lighthouse way before I got there, and it was a lovely beacon. I mounted the stairs, marveled at the nooks and crannies of my home for the last 3 days. Kitchen and bathroom on the first floor, bedroom on the second floor and then the view at the top. Wonderful. The story is this: This was never a working lighthouse. A man was dying and deeded the land to his best friend, Bruce. Bruce decided to surprise his wife by building her a studio on the sea and what else would the shape be on the shore, but a lighthouse? So he built it and when she came home, he shared it with her. Her statement was, "Why did you build this and waste your money?" Needless to say, she was an idiot and he divorced her not long afterward. If it had been me, that would have been the most romantic gesture, I could ever imagine!!!

Anyway, a friend came and brought pizza ( a lady I met in the Blue Mts. of Australia) and we shared a bottle of wine. I went to bed soon after to the sound of gulls and the waves crashing on the shore. What a life!!

Love,
Kerry

Abel Tasman National Park WOW!

Today's phtos are : The water taxi, an oyster catcher, the end of a long hike, Anchorage Bay, Swinging bridge, Lighthouse, Split Rock, My new house with your guest house on the beach.


"lo,

Today was a spectacular day, with temps in the 70's and clear blue skies. I went in a Water Taxi across Tasman Bay to Kaiteriteri which is the beginning of the Coastal Track a 35 mile walk through coastal rainforest with views of the sparkling blue bays. I taxied to Bark Bay and then walked back to Anchorage Bay, about 8 miles. The trail leads high up above the treeline and then gently leads you back to the beach. About 2 hours in, I stopped at Torrent Bay for lunch on the beach. The only sounds were birdsong, waves crashing on the shore and the occasional foot fall with a "good day, or hello. I was alone with my thoughts. It is so nice to hear only yourself and nature all around you.

I stopped at Cleopatra's Pool, a lovely waterfall accessable only by skipping across rocks, which I did, cautiously! I evenually made my way down to Anchorage Bay, 4 and 1/2 hours later to be picked up by a water taxi back to Nelson. While waiting for the boat, an agressive duck came over and bit my boob! Well, it has been awhile.....

On to Wellilngton tomorrow, the North Island.

Love,
Kerry

By the sea, by the sea, by the beautiful sea!

Today's photos: The Nelson Marina, Sailboat and paddleboarder on the Tasman Sea, Grinder and Sheriff bras at the World of Wearable Art, Expensive antique car at WOW, So. Street 1860's cottage, Queens Garden, Bridge to Japanese Gardens and view from my chair at the B and B.


Well, today was a spectacular day, full of sun and blue skies. I walked everywhere of course, so i could see the sights. I went to the Nelson Port, which as you can imagine, is very industrial and then walked to the Marina. Absolutely cerulean blue water and sky to match. Lots of sailboats Mikey! I followed the pathway to Tahunanui Beach which was sandy and full of kids and seagulls. I walked in the water for a bit to cool my feet, and if truth be told, to wash my shoes! After the beach I headed for the World of Wearable Art. Very bizarre and interesting. Many fabrics, materials, dayglow paint and all put together to make wearable art. They also had antique cars, and since I know you are reading this Ivan, I put one in for you. Can you guess what it is?

I had lunch in the cafe, salad and spinach pie and then hoofed it back to the city. Yikes! Quite a long haul. I headed for the top of the hill, the Cathedral and then to South St., a 1 block long area with 1860's cottages. Beautiful.

Next, I headed to the Queens Gardens and the Sutter Art gallery. I arrived at the Art Gallery as they were closing, so they allowed me to view the stunning watercolours entitled, "Wish you were here" My thoughts exactly for all of you reading this blog. I walked around the Queens Gardens which were very peaceful, heard a flutist playing a haunting melody and ended up in the Japanese Gardens.

I headed home, Italian take-away in hand and when I arrived back at my home for the next couple of days, I ended the day on my balcony in my chair with a great view. what a life!

Tomorrow, I will be hiking Abel Tasman National Park's Coastal Track for about 5 hours after a 2 hour boat ride up the coast. Can't wait!

Till then,
Kerry

The Rugged West Coast

Today's photos are a wallaby, young alpine goat, pancake rocks and Buller Gorge




Happy Tuesday everyone!
I had a long bus trip today from Franz Joseph Glacier to Nelson, a trip of about 7 hours. Of course, as I was going by city bus, we made a few stops. It allows us to stretch our legs, get a few snacks and see some of the sights, so it took us 10 hours.

Driving along the rugged west coast of NZ is on winding roads, crossing bridges and more swollen rivers. we hugged the coast most of the way so the views when the weather cleared were stunning. We stopped at a place called Pancake Rocks where the monolliths next to shore are compressed marine invertebrates and scientists have yet to figure out how they got so compressed. A mysterious marvel! of course, the blowholes were pretty spectacular as the ocean's thunder from down under sprayed on the rocks below.

We traveled through tiny towns, population 20 or less and many of the people in NZ are protesting the spraying of a poison called 1080 which is evidently supposed to cut down on the possum population, but is killing birds and other wildlife. Shame.

Anyway, we climbed up the mountain and came hurtling down on the other side of the passes. One of the places we stopped in Buller's Gorge was so high a few years ago, that the water was OVER THE ROAD! Amazing. We finally stopped in Nelson and I was picked up at the bus station and brought to a wonderful old house with a blacony and great views. Tomorrow I may hike or check out the town that sits on the cliffside.

Night,
Kerry

Images from the Helicopters and Glaciers

Today's photos: Tree fern growing near the glacier, blue ice on Franz Joseph Glacier, glacial ice and views from the glaciers.


Yay! The day started clear and only got better. I decided to chance the helicopter rode over the glaciers. I paid and we were briefed on safety procedures. I went to the helicopter pad and got a front row seat! Wonderful! It was like flying. Oh wait, I was flying. The contrast between blue ice of the glacier and the new 6" of snow backed up against a blue sky, was spectacular. We flew over both Fox and Franz Joseph glaciers. Amazing!!! We landed on the new snow packed ice as the rotors blew the snow everywhere. The snow was deep, over my sneakers, (after spending all night drying them from yesterday's hike through the water to Fox Glacier)and I ran as fast as I could so I could see the tops of the mountains. It was dazzling and I was happy that I wore sunglasses. We stayed for a few minutes and then boarded up again. This time I wss in the back, so I just enjoyed the view.

When I got back to town, I got a ride with people who were on their way to the glacier to hike to the face. It was about an hour across moraine strewn pebbles with waterfalls and of course the head of the glacier. The blue ice is so dense that it cracks in peaks at the top. Very cool. I spent an hour just marvelling at the views and photographing everything.

Great day, tomorrow I will be heading away from the glaciers and back into the forests.

Catch you then. Keep those comments coming!!

Love,
Kerry