Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2013
As we entered Queen Charlotte Sound (from the wider expanse of Cook Strait, after leaving Wellington), I was standing as close to the bow of the ship as I could get. There were probably 20 or 30 people standing out there, and it was quiet. It was as though we were greeting the South Island with reverence and awe.
There are many reasons to love New Zealand’s capital city:
Its beautiful waterfront,
Upon our arrival in Napier, and before reaching our lodging, we stopped at Esk Valley Estate to enjoy the view of the bay and our first official taste of Hawke’s Bay wine.
I am not a devotee of the LOTR trilogy. In fact, the movies put me to sleep.
However, I have been to Middle Earth (aka New Zealand), and I fell in love with that beautiful country.
Today, September 22nd, is the birthday of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins. In their honor, I share the following …
I am always filled with awe when I look up into a night sky filled with stars.
I live in a city, and my nighttime view is usually illuminated by the lights of civilization rather than by the stars. On those infrequent occasions when I am in a position to stargaze I can usually find a few familiar astral landmarks: The North Star, The Big Dipper, and Orion’s Belt.
So during my travels in New Zealand I was eager to see stars I had never seen before, those of the Southern Hemisphere.
After spending hours in a tour vehicle, or wandering through a museum, market or garden, that all-important stop to take care of bodily needs is essential.
When traveling with a wheelchair, knowing where to find an accessible “Restroom / WC / Toilette” is even more important.
“If there’s anyplace on Earth more beautiful than Doubtful Sound I have not seen it or heard about it. Easily more beautiful than the fjords of Norway or (the old) Yugoslavia. Majestic, spectacular, immense, deserted, magnificent: Words cannot capture it. Two days and a night here, aboard the Fiordland Navigator. We are blessed with clear skies, sunshine and warmth.” Richard Hess (3-31-03)
Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand, is known for many things: Wines, produce, beaches, the annual Art Deco festival in Napier.
Perhaps not as well-known is Cape Kidnappers on the southern part of the Bay.
Although we only spent three days in Rotorua, we were very busy.
Along with our half-day visit to Te Puia and the thermal reserve, and the evening spent at Tamaki Maori Village, we also enjoyed side trips to view the Blue and Green Lakes, explore the Buried Village, spend a little time at Lake Tarawera, and picnic in the nearby redwood forest.
One of the highlights of our stay in Rotorua – in fact, one of the highlights of the trip! – was the evening we spent at the Tamaki Maori Village, where we participated in warrior-training games, were entertained by traditional song and dance, and enjoyed a Maori hangi feast!
Anything Is Possible Travel 
