I probably shouldn’t admit to having a favorite city on New Zealand’s North Island. Every place we visited was amazing, and having a “favorite” would be like admitting to having a favorite child. (Which I don’t, by the way!)
However, if I were only able to return to one North Island city, I would choose Rotorua.
Head over heels.
In love? Well, no.
Actually, it’s head-over-heels-over-head-over-heels, rolling down a grassy hill in a large inflatable plastic ball.
The ZORB!
As we journeyed south from Auckland to Rotorua, we stopped for lunch (and a little time for exploration) in the whimsical and charming town of Tirau, New Zealand.
“Tirau” is a Maori word meaning “many cabbage trees.”
Carrieanna recently returned from her very first cruise. It will not be her last!
She and her Aunt Vicki (a cruise veteran) took a seven-day trip to Alaska (the Alaska Tracy Arm Fjord Cruise) on the Celebrity Solstice. Along the way they stopped at Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway, as well as spending one evening at the Butchart Gardens in Victoria, BC.
The cruise included MS educational programs, accessible shore excursions and, of course, some amazing experiences — not to mention many photo opportunities!
I asked Carrieanna a few questions about her experience.
[A story, and another self-promoting post. Thank you for indulging me!]
While at a networking function last year, my friend Wendy Sipple – who happens to be the COO and Publisher of Style Media Group, a Folsom (California) publishing company – asked me where my next travel adventure would take me. I told her I was going to New Zealand in early 2013.
And then I boldly asked if SMG’s other publication, Style Magazine, might be interested in having me write an article about my trip.
If you don’t like to read blogs where the author “sings their own praises,” then you’ll probably want to skip my post today.
And probably Sunday’s too.
(But after that, I will get back to talking about my travels. I promise!)
I am generally a very linear person. Taurus; firstborn; structured and organized.
I like to do things in order. And my blog posts about my New Zealand trip have generally been chronological, starting with the beginning (at the top of the North Island) and continuing southward.
However, I am going to get out of order and skip to the end of my journey, because I want to talk about Antarctica.
“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:
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.
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.
Anything Is Possible Travel 