New Zealand Fall 2007

Wheels Down! @ Auckland, New Zealand

2007-11-12T06:00:00.000Z

After only three years of planning, we finally set foot on NZ terra firma.

Confusion sets in... @ Dargaville, New Zealand

2007-11-12T06:37:00.000Z

Within minutes, we are grasping for the correct route and correct side of the street. We decide it is safer for all if we head for the less populated region of the NZ country side.

Bayle's Beach, NZ @ Bayle's Beach, New Zealand

2007-11-12T12:58:37.000Z

We stopped by this little town for the well-known beach which is quite popular with surfers for the breaks. A little exploring in the dune, some lunch, and driving the rental car into the Tasman sea...just because we could.

First Sunset over the Tasman Sea @ Omapere, New Zealand

2007-11-12T20:30:00.000Z

The Kuari Coast did not disappoint us for our first sunset! And the one room B&B at George and Maria's paradise was the perfect place to call it a day.

Paihia, NZ @ Paihia, New Zealand

2007-11-13T21:29:00.000Z

Bay of Islands is the place to see and swim with dolphins! Of course we did not see nor swim with any dolphins even after searching for four hours. I think they sensed Jeremy's desire to grab a fin for a ride...

Whangarei, New Zealand @ Whangarei, New Zealand

2007-11-14T12:48:00.000Z

After the weather put our Tutukaka dive on hold for 24 hours, we decided to drive 25km down the coast to Wharengei where we found a few other activities to fill the day. This is the second largest town on the North Island next to Auckland and offered some interesting activities to fill the day. We first drove to the largest waterfall in all NZ which was rather unimpressive, but worth the 45 minute hike for the serene beauty of the surrounding land. We then referred to our guide book library (some 20 books by now!) and found we could go spelunking in caves just outside town. Abbey caves are not a major tourist destination, and therefore, not that easy to find. But in the end, we were finally able to find the marker through blind luck….or at least that is what I call it since Jen finally picked the road it was on. In our defense, we were working off what was the comparable of a Denny’s place mat map. After roaming through the countryside for a bit we found Organ Cave which was closed due to a recent cave-in (NPI) and forced us to search deeper into the woods in search of a suitable (read:safe[er]) cave. We found a multi-room system that was not too confining (depending on which one of us you ask!) and found evidence of the first glow worms we have read so much about. These limestone caves support this unique organism that put off fluorescence and with our lights turned off, the cave ceiling looked like the celestial sky on a clear moonless night. They were in groups all around the ceiling of the cave that must have reached up at least 50 ft. On the way back to Tututaka (Maori for Parrot Perch) we hiked up to the highest point on the coast for spectacular views as the sun was falling. (♂).

Diving Poor Knights Islands @ Tutukaka, New Zealand

2007-11-15T06:59:53.000Z

This sleepy town of only 200 serves to support the diving of the Poor Knights Islands about 30km off the coast. The Poor Knight Islands were named one of the top-ten favorites by Jacques Cousteau himself.
At sunrise, we drove the tortuous 200-bend 2 mile stretch into town and arrived at the dive shop for outfitting. This included much more equipment than either of us were used to since we had to be covered in 14mm of neoprene from head to toe to protect us from the 17 degree water (Divide by 5, multiply by nine and add 32 = COLD!!!!) The one hour boat ride out into the Pacific gave us plenty of time to anticipate jumping into the chilly blue. After circling the islands for about 30 minutes for the right conditions, we found two spots out of the wind and current…Calypso Harbor/Magic Wall and Trevor’s Rocks/The Gardens for our second dive. Nothing, however, could have prepared us for the initial shock of the cold water. Just as nothing could have prepared us for how quickly the cold was washed away by the unbelievable underwater world of the marine preserve. We both agreed (finally on something) that diving Poor Knights was not only our best dive experience so far, but was without a doubt one of the most amazing experiences either of us has ever had. (♀)

Orewa (just outside Auckland) @ Orewa, New Zealand

2007-11-15T20:00:00.000Z

We were faced with another two-hour drive to the hot springs when the wicked NZ roads and traffic got the best of us. we decided to stop just outside Auckland a for the night since a rock had dislodged our windshield molding and it was creating a terrible noise above 120km...which was most of the time.

The Lost World @ Waitomo Caves, New Zealand

2007-11-16T16:17:53.000Z

A 300 ft abseil into The Lost World Cave was a great way to visit some surreal NZ glowworms. A 115 foot metal ladder lit only by the glow worms to get out was a bit frightening. Though this outfit was for the everyday tourist and the safety precautions otherwise took a little excitement out of the adventure. I think we both prefer the more off-the-beaten-path (and cheaper) activities.

No lack of scenery here.... @ Putaruru, New Zealand

2007-11-16T20:10:37.000Z

even through the farmland.

Thrill & Chill @ Lake Taupo, New Zealand

2007-11-17T10:05:39.000Z

Would you like 12,000 or 15,000 with your coffee? This was our first decision of the day. Would you like to free fall for 15 or 30 seconds? ....mmmm..... We'll take the 15,000 foot jump with extra 15 seconds of free fall please. BEST WAKE UP EVER! First of all, the plane ride, though not comfortable strapped close and tight to a stranger, was worth it for the amazing scenery over Lake Taupo. We had the most beautiful, clear day. They say you can see from coast to coast from 15,000 on a day like we had. But we were both too busy watching the ground coming at us at 200km/hr! WOOOOOHOOOOOO! Once the chutes opened, we were able to take a look around and enjoy the clear blue of the lake, the green countryside and the snowy mountains. And, oh yeah, the rush of the jumping out of an airplane at 15,000 feet! Did we really just do that?

Orakei Korako, NZ @ Orakei Korako, New Zealand

2007-11-17T13:00:00.000Z

The central part of the North Island is loaded with geo-thermal activity. These are only accessed by boat and the well-maintained walkways made for a leisurely and very scenic walk.

De Bretts Hot Springs @ Lake Taupo (Taupomoana), New Zealand

2007-11-17T17:44:00.000Z

We finished the day the exact opposite as it began...massages and thermal spring relaxation.

Taihape, NZ @ Taihape, New Zealand

2007-11-18T12:28:00.000Z

Stopped by a for lunch and to decided whether to take on "Gravity Canyon" which was yet another adrenaline tourist trap. We passed and moved on down the line...

Urban Area! @ Te Horo, New Zealand

2007-11-18T15:37:44.000Z

About 1 in every square mile.

Te Horo Beach, NZ @ Te Horo, New Zealand

2007-11-18T16:28:00.000Z

A relaxing a gorgeous drive to Wellington for our last day on the North Island.

Wellington, NZ, Crossing the Cook Strait @ Wellington, New Zealand

2007-11-18T18:28:00.000Z

Took a nice walk through Downtown Wellington and enjoyed a pub style dinner of Lamb and Whitebait (local seasonal fish)., "The journey is the destination" is the tag line for the Interislander Ferry and it is an apt one. The luxury ship and amazing views made for a fun ride.

Meeting our Aussie/Dutch/American Friends- Ginger and Michel! @ Picton, New Zealand

2007-11-19T12:22:00.000Z

As our adverture continued with our old friends, the culinary journey began.

Nelson and our first night of Gastronomie @ Picton, New Zealand

2007-11-19T18:29:00.000Z

Ginger and Michel introduced us to the magic of local NZ and Australian wines, thus beginning our 10 days of pure epicurian indulgance.

Abel Tasman National Park @ Takaka, New Zealand

2007-11-20T15:32:00.000Z

Happy Birthday Jeremy!!!! If not for the amazingly beautiful and relatively untouched wonderland of the Abel Tasman coastline, the three-hour-into-gale-force-wind paddle with a woefully insecure and squeamishly unfunny tour guide, the one-seal adventure would have been questionable (Not even the wildlife wanted to be out in those winds). But it was a good start to action adventure aspect of our time with Ginger and Michel.

The Benifits of Small Town NZ @ Takaka, New Zealand

2007-11-20T19:41:00.000Z

Going over the often bypassed route to Golden Bay was worth every nauseating turn. Takaka (population1,224) is a quiet, remote and beautifully weathered town with some of the friendliest people in New Zealand-which makes them some of the friendliest people on Earth! We ate at the Eatery on the Rock where the one man show, seated us, took our order, cooked and then cleaned for us. Overall, he gave us another personalized gastronomic experience to remember.

Getting to the West Coast @ Inangahua Junction, New Zealand

2007-11-21T12:57:00.000Z

This day was mostly a driving day with a few scenic stops. To say " a few" is not really accurate because the entire drive was extraordinarily scenic. Our goal was to get to Greymouth and we did.

West Coast and the Pancake Rocks @ Punakaiki, New Zealand

2007-11-21T18:09:00.000Z

Where to stay....? @ Greymouth, New Zealand

2007-11-21T19:29:00.000Z

When the whole town is booked with a filming crew? The DUKE! "Funky" doesn't quite cover how we would decribe this backpackers (hostel). But the free pool and friendly people almost made us forget about the bed bugs.

Amazing Glacial Adventure Begins @ Fox Glacier, New Zealand

2007-11-22T09:16:00.000Z

Franz-Josef Glacier @ Franz Josef Glacier, New Zealand

2007-11-23T09:23:00.000Z

Prelude to Mecca @ Lake Wanaka, New Zealand

2007-11-24T12:31:00.000Z

Cue the heavenly organ music, we have arrived! @ Queenstown, New Zealand

2007-11-24T18:40:00.000Z

Queenstown was one of the first places that caught our attention and sparked the idea for our honeymoon in NZ. It is no small task to live up to three years of building and budding expectations, but Queenstown and surrounding natural feast for the eyes did not let us down in any way, shape or form.

Did I hear River Surfing? @ Kawarau River, New Zealand

2007-11-25T09:46:00.000Z

One small plastic helmet, one medium body board and just a little neoprene to protect us from the class three rapids, cliff walls and 22 year-old river guides. They were actually brilliant at the one-handed-fishing-us-out-of-harm's-way as we not so leisurely floated, (read kicked, paddled and otherwise struggled) our way down 5km of rushing river. WOW! This was a blast! And topped off with jet ski ride, bungy rope swing, water slide and cliff jumping, I felt like I was 10 years old again playing at the local water park.

Another day, Another Heli-Mountain Bike Trip..Ho Hum... @ THE REMARKABLES, New Zealand

2007-11-26T07:59:00.000Z

Into Doubtful Sound @ Manapouri, New Zealand

2007-11-27T09:04:00.000Z

Overnight in the Sound @ Doubtful Sound/Patea, New Zealand

2007-11-27T17:09:00.000Z

Waking Up In Doubtful @ Doubtful Sound/Patea, New Zealand

2007-11-28T07:13:00.000Z

The Southern Scenic Route and The Catlins @ Invercargill, New Zealand

2007-11-28T16:23:00.000Z

There are no "un"scenic routes in all of NZ, so the title is not very descriptive. By the time we passed through The Southern Scenic Route we were as spoiled on scenery as a snotty kid on candy. (We were spoiled on candy too. Hokey Pokey and Pineapple Chunks abound). We only stopped in Invercargill to work out some final logistics of the trip, and continued our drive into the Catlins.

Curio Bay, New Zealand @ Curio Bay, New Zealand

2007-11-28T19:44:00.000Z

Dunedin-Our Final Stop as a Travel Foursome @ Dunedin, New Zealand

2007-11-29T16:50:00.000Z

Waiheke Heaven @ Waiheke Island, New Zealand

2007-12-01T11:30:00.000Z