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.
Tag: wheelchair accessible
Categories
The Heart of the Milky Way
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.
Share this:
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.
Share this:
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.
Share this:
When I am traveling and need to make my own flight arrangements, my criteria is fairly simple: I want to get to my destination quickly, using the most direct route I can find, and do so as inexpensively as possible.
While I prefer a window seat, I do not mind sitting on the aisle or, if necessary, in the middle seat. I hope that the passengers sitting near me have bathed recently (although not in perfume).
Share this:
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!
Share this:
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.
Share this:
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.
Share this:
My friend and fellow travel-junkie, Jen Snyder, recently went to Glacier National Park in Montana. I was there in 2005, and it is Gorgeous with a capital “G”! And she totally agrees. In fact, she and her husband, Mark, have declared this park to be their Favorite!
As Jen and Mark hiked toward Avalanche Lake, they found a wheelchair accessible trail, called “Trail of the Cedars.” And being the good friend that she is, she made sure I knew about it.
Share this:
“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)
(as seen from Mount Eden)
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:
Anything Is Possible Travel 
