Author: Jeri Murphy

Traveler, writer, photographer, former wedding officiant, mother, friend, explorer and new Texian ... that's just a little about me!

International travel

A Geographically Blessed City

Post author By Jeri Murphy
Post date July 8, 2013
6 Comments on A Geographically Blessed City

“It’s hard to imagine a more geographically blessed city. Its two harbours frame a narrow isthmus punctuated by volcanic cones and surrounded by fertile farmlands. From any of its numerous vantage points you’ll be astonished by how close the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean come to kissing and forming a new island.” (Lonely Planet’s “New Zealand,” 16th Edition; pg. 60)

According to 2012 census, Auckland is the largest city in New Zealand with 1,397,300 people – approximately 32% of the country’s population. It was the capitol of New Zealand from 1842 until 1865, at which time the seat of government was moved to the more centrally-located and current capitol city of Wellington.

We spent two days in Auckland, and enjoyed visiting some of the more famous sites as well as a few lesser-known places. Here are some highlights:

Continue reading “A Geographically Blessed City”

US travel

Sometimes You Just Need a Little Get-Away

Post author By Jeri Murphy
Post date July 4, 2013
3 Comments on Sometimes You Just Need a Little Get-Away

For the past week the heat in Sacramento has been unusually high: Triple digits for days. So when my friend said she was going to spend a few days in Incline Village, Nevada, I asked if I could come visit, and – fortunately – she said “Yes!”

She was at the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino and I drove up Tuesday morning for an overnight stay. (I’ve reviewed it on TripAdvisor if you’re interested in my thoughts about the hotel itself.)

We were eager to enjoy the cooler mountain air, and having a private beach just added to the ambiance!

Of course the hotel was accessible; I counted ten handicap parking spots, and was told at the front desk that there are 12 handicap accessible rooms (although the website indicates there are ten).

Tags Hyatt Regency, Incline Village, Lake Tahoe, pier access, wheelchair accessible

International travel

The Mighty Kauri

There are so many little details to share about my New Zealand adventure, and I don’t want to bore you with everything. (Besides, I hope these posts inspire you to see New Zealand for yourself!)

However, I must talk a little about the trees that were so important to the Maori peoples, not only for their own construction but also for their commence. I’ve already written about my first encounter with the magnificent Kauri, and the historical significance of these giants.

Tags ancient forests, boats, conservation, furniture, kauri gum, Kauri Museum, kauri timber, Maori, Matakohe, Northland, Pioneer Church, softwood pine, swamp, wheelchair accessible

International travel

Pink Sheep?

On the day we arrived in New Zealand, we drove north from Auckland to Paihia on State Highway 1. After the long flight, I tiredly sat in the back of the van and enjoyed the passing scenery: Lush green hills and pastures littered with cattle and sheep; occasionally a few chickens.

Suddenly I saw something very unusual out the window. Pink sheep.

Tags Sheepworld; New Zealand; pink sheep; North Island

International travel

Kiwi History Lesson

During our third day in Paihia we visited the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, listed as “one of the 101 Must Do’s for Kiwis” according to New Zealand’s Automobile Association.

It was here, on February 6, 1840, that the first 43 Maori chiefs, after much discussion, signed the Treaty of Waitangi with the British crown (eventually over 500 would sign it). (Lonely Planet New Zealand, 16th edition, pg. 146)

Continue reading “Kiwi History Lesson”

Tags facial tattoos, Flag of the United Tribes, Flagstaff, History, Maori, Te Whare Runanga, Waitangi Treaty Grounds, whare waka, wheelchair accessible

California travel

Fort Ord Dunes State Beach

Post author By Jeri Murphy
Post date June 16, 2013
2 Comments on Fort Ord Dunes State Beach

Carrieanna and I recently visited Fort Ord Dunes State Beach, where we enjoyed the accessible boardwalk and the view across the bay to Monterey.

This State Park was created in 2009, and encompasses 4 miles of coastline along the Monterey Bay, including the now-closed Fort Ord, a former U.S. Army post.

Tags beach access, bike trails, boardwalk, Fort Ord Dune State Park, June 2013, Monterey, nature reserve, wheelchair accessible

International travel

Maori Bibles, and A House of Worship

Post author By Jeri Murphy
Post date June 2, 2013
3 Comments on Maori Bibles, and A House of Worship

At the suggestion of our group leader, I purchased a one-year membership to the New Zealand Historic Places Trust, which not only supports New Zealand’s efforts to protect their historic buildings, but also affords free entry to many trust properties located throughout New Zealand as well as Australia, England, and even a few Historic sites in the USA. For more information, visit their website.

I first used my membership in Russell, touring the Pompallier Mission which purports to be the oldest surviving industrial building in New Zealand.

Tags Bay of Islands, Christ Church, cut to the chase, make a good first impression, Maori Bibles, New Zealand, New Zealand Historic Places Trust, Pompallier Mission, printing, quoin a phrase, tannery

California travel

MSQLP Field Trip to Point Lobos

Post author By Jeri Murphy
Post date May 29, 2013
4 Comments on MSQLP Field Trip to Point Lobos

The following is guest post from our friend, Tammy Jennings, a Board Member of the Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life Project (MSQLP), a gifted writer and wonderful photographer!

(She’s the pretty blonde on the left in the first photo; all other photos were taken by her.)

My first thought was…WOW! My second thought was…thank you, thank you, thank you volunteers, Conservation Corps, and Pt. Lobos staff for making the handicap accessible trails! I thought I’d never be able to experience the wonder and awe of Pt. Lobos again. But now we all can! I had an unforgettable time.

Tags beaches, Bird Island, California Dept., China Cove, MSQLP, Point Lobos State Reserve, sea lions, sea otters, Whalers Cove and Cabin, wheelchair accessible, wildflowers

International travel

Hell Hole of the Pacific, or “Hey Sailor!”

Post author By Jeri Murphy
Post date May 27, 2013
3 Comments on Hell Hole of the Pacific, or “Hey Sailor!”

Russell, formerly known as Kororareka, was the first permanent European settlement and sea port in New Zealand. It is situated in the Bay of Islands, in the far north of the North Island.

When European and American ships began visiting New Zealand in the early 1800s, the indigenous Māori quickly recognized there were great advantages in trading with these strangers.

Tags Bay of Islands, Duke of Marlborough Hotel, Hell Hole of the Pacific, Kororareka, Maori, New Zealand, North Island, prostitution, quiet seaside village, Russell, sailors, Wikipedia

International travel

Hole in the Rock Cruise, Bay of Islands

Post author By Jeri Murphy
Post date May 22, 2013
2 Comments on Hole in the Rock Cruise, Bay of Islands

Our first full day in New Zealand was February 6th, which happens to be a national holiday: Waitangi Day. It was on this date, in 1840, that the Maori people signed the Treaty of Waitangi, ostensibly making New Zealand part of the British empire, affording its people the same rights as other British subjects while guaranteeing Maori rights to their own land.

Naval presence, in honor of Waitangi Day

Although similarities have been drawn to treaties signed between the Native Americans and those who claimed their land, the politics of Waitangi Day are not the subject of this blog. (However, we did visit the Treaty House on the 7th — after the crowds thinned — and found it fascinating and mostly accessible. And that will be a future post.)

Tags Bay of Islands, Cape Brett Lighthouse, dolphiins, Fullers Great Sights, Hole in the Rock, nature walks, New Zealand, Otehei Bay Resort, Paihia, Waitangi Day, Waitangi Treaty, wheelchair accessible

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