Tilbakestill søk
Tasmania & New Zealand
  • Lucy M
  • Colin Martin

Tasmania & New Zealand

with side dishes of Tokyo, Sydney & Dubai
A record for us - if anyone else is reading, hope you enjoy 😊 Les mer
FølgOversiktKalenderDelDelBøtteliste
Nyeste først
  • Tasmania & New Zealand

    Akaroa amble

    25. mars 2024, New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    Met up with Gordon, Carolyn & Paul today and had a lovely lunch and afternoon in peaceful and chilled Akaroa.

    I’ve always associated that scenery, the velvety looking hills and looking down into the cool blue of the water, with NZ. I could never mistake it for anywhere else! It really is so beautiful.

    After a scrummy lunch, we walked along the water’s edge feeling the emerging sun warming our backs. I even took off a few layers of clothing, as my reptilian blood came back up to temperature 😊

    Stopped off at a small cheese factory (‘blessed are the cheese makers’)* to buy some ‘cheeeeeze’ as Wallace** would say.
    (I seem to have gone quote 🥴)

    * Life of Brian
    ** Wallace & Gromit ‘A grand day out’

    A quiet evening in our silo is next on the agenda!    Les mer

    Se oversettelse
  • Tasmania & New Zealand
    Little River
    Governer's BaySumnerBirdlings Flat

    Sumner saunter

    26. mars 2024, New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    Had a little walk around Little River (it’s a tiny village so that didn’t take long!)

    Then onto Birdlings Flat, a bit reminiscent of Chesil with a wide pebble beach. When you eventually traverse the pebble expanse, you arrive at the ocean. The last coast line would be Chile, so the surf hits the coast with some force and the power and sound is awesome.

    We managed to teeter back across the pebbles without spraining anything, and made our way on to Sumner to meet the others for lunch and a wander along the beach. Quite breezy today, so we didn’t linger too long.

    Next Riccarton Mall to buy a few bits, then on to Paul & Lisa’s for a fam BBQ.    Les mer

    Se oversettelse
  • Tasmania & New Zealand

    The fam ♥️

    26. mars 2024, New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C
  • Tasmania & New Zealand
    2

    A lonnnnggg driving day

    27. mars 2024, New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    Sadly had to leave our silo accom and the Christchurch fam today. We’ve headed south and centre, for the ‘Warbirds over Wānaka’ festival this Easter weekend:
    https://www.warbirdsoverwanaka.com/

    We hadn’t realised what a long drive (8 hours 🙄) it would be from Little River to our next stay in Cardrona. The scenery was outstanding* of course, NZ at its finest, but boy were we relieved to finally get here!

    We’d been to these places many moons back, and could see how they’ve changed over the decades (more built up etc), but the natural beauty of the hills and the turquoise blue of the lakes were the same as we remembered - gorgeous!

    * Lake Tekapo, Lake Pukaki, Twizel and glimpses of the Southern Alpes.

    Our cabin for the next 10 days is small, compact, at the end of a dirt track, on a farm which apparently has a horse called Dave in the paddock!

    It’s not quirky or round and there’s no spiral staircase this time, but hopefully it’ll be peaceful, cosy and restful.    Les mer

    Se oversettelse
  • Tasmania & New Zealand
    Our cabin
    Autumn colours1Mountain glimpseAirport hangerWe now know this is a boot drier, but it had us scratching our heads for a while!2Does it or doesn't it have bones 😂

    Wanaka wander

    27. mars 2024, New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    Much needed rest day. It was pouring this morning, so we made no effort to go out until it had dried up a bit.

    Wanaka was busy due to the air festival, so we bought essential supplies and had a brief potter, to see how much it had changed since our last visit (early 2000s?).

    We also checked out the local airport, so Col knew where he’d be going for his Milford instructional flight next week (at the moment, the weather’s looking good for that 🤞🏻🤞🏻)    Les mer

    Se oversettelse
  • Tasmania & New Zealand
    Pipistrel Alpha - electricity powered
    Mosquito

    Warbirds over Wanaka part 1

    29. mars 2024, New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 11 °C

    One of the reasons we chose to visit NZ at this time of year was to visit the Warbirds air festival.

    It was a practice day but you wouldn’t know it, the displays were great! The access and proximity to the planes taking off was fab. Exhilarating stuff!

    It had been 6 years since the last show (Covid etc) so the organisers were determined to make this a good one!    Les mer

    Se oversettelse
  • Tasmania & New Zealand
    Amelia Earhart replicaFighter Jets waltzMosquito

    Warbirds over Wanaka (WoW) part 2

    29. mars 2024, New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    We left to get to the car at 4.30 ish and the car park was chockablock with people leaving. Every car and row was at a standstill, it was like passing a cannonball through a straw.

    We were also pointing in the wrong direction, looking into the eyes of all the other crazed drivers, until someone took pity on us and allowed us to turn in the right direction. The high viz kids co-ordinating the exit had traffic on the road, another car park and all of us funnelling through a narrow exit, an impossible task. We escaped eventually (one high viz kid shouting ‘floor it’) and we were out of the deadlock.

    On the way home we were driving through a 30km zone, but Col was going faster than that. I glanced up and saw a cop car in the opposite direction, pointing at Col to slow down. Busted 😬    Les mer

    Se oversettelse
  • Tasmania & New Zealand
    Half bakedMosquitoMustangYaksF16

    WoW day 2

    30. mars 2024, New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    A beautiful but cold start to the day and we’re off to Warbirds for the first ‘proper’ display day.

    Having been here yesterday we knew the routine, park at the back of a million cars, and try to memorise where we are. Stumble through a rutted field, then eventually emerge into the thick of the show. Much busier today, and a great vibe. We make our way to the seating area and pretty quickly feel the heat of the sun beating down! Out comes the sun cream for the first time…..as well as the shedding of some of my layers.

    The displays were brilliant, although much of the time we were looking right into a bright, molten orb ☀️! The roar and urgency of the F16 was brilliant, as was the Mosquito, Harvard’s, Hawks, Globemaster, Mustangs, Spitfire, Yaks - to mention a few. All with a back drop of the relentless sun, baking us like jacket potatoes 🔥

    Lovely to chat with the people next to us, who were from Christchurch (NZ). They seemed to be air show aficionados and had heard of the Bournemouth Air Show!

    Part of the joy (not) of a busy festival is the loo…. I avoided the horror of the portaloo opting to queue at the ladies trailer. Well was worth the wait as it was surprisingly passable!

    We left to get to the car at 3pm ish to avoid yesterday’s hellish exit and went to Lake Wanaka to admire the stunning views.    Les mer

    Se oversettelse
  • Tasmania & New Zealand
    2

    Lake Wanaka, Easter bunny & chocolate

    30. mars 2024, New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C

    After the airshow, making use of all the time we’d saved from the car park exit horror, we popped to the supermarket!! We bought some dinnery bits, had a cuppa and had an encounter with the Easter bunny and the chocolate aisle.

    We then went for a proper look at Lake Wanaka. What a beautiful serene scene after the noise and people at the show! Another fab day 👍🏻    Les mer

    Se oversettelse
  • Tasmania & New Zealand

    Lake Hawea and some bras

    31. mars 2024, New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 10 °C

    Before going to the final day of the airshow, we went for a drive to the bra fence. The bra display ‘supports’ breast cancer and I left my own ‘deposit’, having come prepared!

    The Cardrona Hotel is one of NZs oldest hotels, and a relic from the gold rush, with a great retro feel. Hoping to have dinner there one night as it’s very close to our cabin.

    Lastly we drove to Lake Hawea and ‘the neck’, where Lake Wanaka and Hawea ‘almost’ meet.

    Annoyingly, we had to endure more stunning scenery, as if we haven’t already seen enough!    Les mer

    Se oversettelse
  • Tasmania & New Zealand

    WoW day 3

    31. mars 2024, New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    Last show day and we got there a bit later than previously as we’d decided to stick it out until the end and endure the car park leaving horror.

    Not quite as busy as Saturday but the sun was still shinin’, the planes were still flyin’, and the vibe was still exhilaratin’.

    The schedule was similar to the Saturday one, and it was great to see the L39 Albatross jets for a third time (I love the roar as they shoot past) a pretty decent Red Arrows replacement!

    At the end of the day there was an ‘air battle’ where the vintage planes flew together in a mock raid, with simulated explosions. It was thrilling (and moving), as they referenced WWII. A great end to the show and weekend.

    We waited a while before running the car park gauntlet and were out much quicker this time. Reckon the high viz kids had finally worked out how to manage things!    Les mer

    Se oversettelse
  • Tasmania & New Zealand
    Queenstown in distanceScary switchbacksSpot the paragliderAutumnal redsArrowtownIts not real, but still 'YUK'Cromwell's fruit2With a side of adrenaline

    Arrowtown & Queenstown

    1. april 2024, New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C

    Suffering airshow withdrawal symptoms, we decided to go to Queenstown and Arrowtown, just an hour down a twisty, mountainous road 😬

    After some obligatory snaps (every corner reveals a new perspective) and a few fearsome switchbacks, we found ourselves descending through a foggy valley, and into Arrowtown. Along with Cardrona, it was another gold mining town back in the day, and had an olde worlde feel to it (had it not been for the cars, hoards of visitors etc!)

    It was very busy (had forgotten about the bank hols), but we managed to shoehorn ourselves into a parking space. Had a cuppa in a chocolate shop (plus a naughty choc bite) and rambled around the picturesque streets for a bit. It was bright but still cold and I was drawn to all the shops selling warm fluffy fleeces, cashmere ponchos etc. The prices, however, sent more shivers down my spine - expensive or what 😳

    We’ve been to Queenstown before and have always enjoyed the adrenaline fuelled vibe as well as the beautiful view of The Remarkables and Lake Wakatipu. Q’town is a hub for people wanting an ‘adventurous activitiy’ (a concept and inclination which is completely alien to me!).

    The first couple of times we were here, Col booked said activities (white water rafting, body boarding, paragliding etc) and on our first trip, he booked a bungee jump from the Kawarou Bridge. This is where bungee jumps were first (and bafflingly) born! Sad (and a bit relieved) to say his old and bent bones wouldn’t take those forces now, so bungee jumping is out!

    Q’town was still as lovely as ever, but busy (of course) and with some new buildings etc, which is the same as most places we’ve revisited on this trip.

    Lovely meander around the streets and lake front, where the trusty TSS Earnslaw begins and ends its relaxing cruises across Lake Wakatipu. We reminisced about the most beautiful NZ lamb meal we had once, which we still remember, and a breakfast place we liked (now long gone). Had completely forgotten about the luge and gondola, but we can do those later this week.

    Drove home a different way (avoiding the vertiginous switchbacks) and stopped briefly at the Kawarau (bungee) Bridge and Cromwell (which is all about fruit!)

    Q’town pics on next post….    Les mer

    Se oversettelse
  • Tasmania & New Zealand
    1

    Flying (really) high

    2. april 2024, New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    Finally, after dreaming of it for yonks, and after hours of practice on the flight simulator, I got to fly over New Zealand's Southern Alps from Wanaka to Milford Sound. I flew with Fox, one of U Fly Wanaka's instructors. He was able to rattle off the names of hundreds of waterfalls, lakes, ridges, glaciers and mountain peaks poking through the clouds. I wasn't taking much of that in though. Scenery doesn't get better than this, but you never get a decent picture from a plane.
    Dead chuffed. Can I have another, please?

    https://youtu.be/XyzX--56T8M?si=W2SV_WgS9enDYj1U    Les mer

    Se oversettelse
  • Tasmania & New Zealand
    21Nerdy drone buddiesThere really are sherp in NZ!

    The other side of Lake Wakatipu

    3. april 2024, New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C

    After the excitement of Col’s flight yesterday, we kept our feet on the ground, and drove to Glenorchy, via Queenstown.

    Glenorchy is a little place on the far side of Lake Wakatipu, which the Coleslaw (or TSS Earnslaw to everyone else) cruises to, and we fancied seeing what it looked like from land.

    It was a classic hilly, twisty turny drive, with amazing views (of course!). We stopped off at a few lookouts en route, and Col put Buzz, the drone up. A guy (from Hungary as it turned out) approached us and asked Col about flying it - turns out he has the exact same model (DJI mini 4 pro) but is a much newer ‘pilot’. Col gave him some tips, we waved good bye and went on our way.

    Glenorchy is a little place with a general store and a small number of eateries. We picked an Asian place for lunch, I chose something with rice, we went to order it only to be told they’d run out of rice. It was only 1pm so that can’t have been good for business! I’m sure they’ll be talking about the great rice shortage of 2024 for years to come 😉

    After lunch (where they did have the necessary ingredients!) we drove on a bit further only to see our Hungarian friend again. We parked up, Buzz went up again, then our friend joined us on the river bank and put his drone up (not a euphemism 🤭)

    Then another guy arrived, and he put his drone up (the exact same type!) It was like a nerdy drony convention, with Col doing the Q&A session!

    From the ground, it was impossible to tell which drone was which, but luckily the drones knew who belonged to whom and they each came back to their respective grown-ups when commanded! It was hilarious until we realised we were surrounded by sandflies, which are essentially midges on steroids. When they bite we remembered the itching was off the scale. Got back in the car sharpish, leaving our new drony friends still flying and prob being bitten too.

    We’d pretty much run out of proper road at that point, so started the drive back to base with a short food shop en route.

    We’ve become quite fond of the hot, freshly roasted chicken they sell at some supermarkets, which makes dinner a breeze 😋    Les mer

    Se oversettelse
  • Tasmania & New Zealand

    The other sides of Lake Wanaka

    4. april 2024, New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    Less driving today, kept it local in Wanaka. Walking along the shore for a bit, we saw sparkly powdery specks glittering in the sun, swished about by the water on the shoreline. It looked like gold, but Col reassured me it was iron pyrite (or fool’s gold 🤪). I’m not so sure…….gold fever can kick in quickly, can’t it 😬

    We then sat for a bit watching the world go by, gasping and shaking our heads every so often at the magnificent view. Could it ever get boring and mundane?!

    After lunch we took a drive out to Glendhu Bay, the outer edge of the lake. A beautiful sunny drive, skirting the river’s edge and weaving through autumnal colours. We stopped to watch some paragliders descending the hillside and Col briefly contemplated booking a flight!

    Before coming back, we stopped at another part of the Lake, still mesmerised by the peace and beauty of the place. We even flirted with the idea of living in NZ, and specifically in this area……. Well, we can dream, can’t we?!    Les mer

    Se oversettelse
  • Tasmania & New Zealand
    Climate change marchSunset1Amused that I appear to have only one leg 😁

    Last day in Wanaka

    5. april 2024, New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C

    Our last day here. We’ve loved being here for 10 days and it’ll be hard to say goodbye 🙁

    It was an autumnal cold, brightly sunny and relaxed start. We moseyed around the town and lake again and drove round to see another lakeside perspective. Kept trying to catch some rays to warm my blood - but they were taking a while to heat up.

    There was a demo marching around the streets, as we had lunch: Action on Climate Change. Turned out to be school students, supporting Greta’s Friday climate strike. Opposite ends of the globe, but with a common cause ♥️

    We wandered onto the jetty, where we had a pic taken of us back in 1999, when we were young, slim and carefree! (Note to self: look for photo when we get home).

    As we waited for our afternoon cruise boat to arrive, we looked down into the water, and were surprised to see a ‘swarm’ of rather large eels slinking around under the jetty, doing eely things. There were also ducks with loud quacks bossing each other around, clearly there to direct the boat to the right spot.

    Our Wanaka lake cruise took 45 mins to get to Stevenson Island. It was a beautiful afternoon as we set off, no cloud, the sun’s rays at last warming us through, as we lounged on deck. There were only 15 or so on board and we chatted for a while with an older Scottish lady, who had lived in Invercargill for 40 or so years. She’d had an interesting career being a female ‘computer programmer pioneer’ in a multitude of international organisations, around the world. Oh and her husband was also called Colin!

    We alighted on Stevenson Island and walked the 10 mins or so to the peak for a fab view of the lake. Had afternoon tea back on board, looking out over the vast, sparkly, turquoise, gently rippling water, with a backdrop to die for. Bliss.

    Decided on an early dinner ‘out out’ in an Indian restaurant, watching the setting sun dip behind the hills.
    Sadly, that’s a rap Wanaka 🎬.    Les mer

    Se oversettelse
  • Tasmania & New Zealand

    Mountain Flying

    6. april 2024, New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 8 °C

    Still stoked over my recent flight. I posted a video on YouTube

    https://youtu.be/XyzX--56T8M?si=W2SV_WgS9enDYj1U

    Se oversettelse
  • Tasmania & New Zealand
    The blue looks unreal!Omarama known for its Merino woolGorgeous cottage

    Change over day

    6. april 2024, New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 11 °C

    Much to our dismay, the time had come to leave our cabin and 10 day stay in Cardrona & Wanaka. We’ve loved it here, the scenery, vibe, perfect weather, you name it. I’m sure in winter it’s blooming freezing, as it’s one of NZ’s prime skiing zones, but I bet the area is just as amazing covered in snow. Anyway, leave we must…..

    Next stop Twizel. On our maiden trip here, back in 1999, Twizel was the first motel stop off on a South Island ’family convoy sightseeing extravaganza’. We (Gordon, Carolyn & Kyle, and Paul) all stayed in a little motel and for us it was so exciting to be off on our first, much anticipated NZ tour.

    There’s defo more of Twizel now than back then, a bigger shopping area, more buildings etc, but we’ve always harboured a nostalgia for the place, hence this choice of stop!

    Our home for the next 3 nights is a beautiful modern cottage. It’s immaculate and very welcoming, as were our hosts who were gardening as we pulled up. They have a cute puppy who is mega excited by anything and everything and two kitties. The black kitty is a purrr machine, have yet to meet the other.

    The garden and surrounding area is open and peaceful, with gorgeous velvety hills and the Southern Alps as the backdrop. Just lovely.

    It only took a couple of hours to get here, so we arrived mid afternoon for a change. Very nice to be settled in early enjoying a cuppa in the afternoon sun.    Les mer

    Se oversettelse
  • Tasmania & New Zealand
    Hobart apartment
    SheilaI could reach this one!1Gisborne wins as the highestOkahune unitKaikoura unitLittle River - too low!!Cardrona

    Airbnbs (and microwaves)

    6. april 2024, New Zealand ⋅ 🌙 11 °C

    For the first time on any trip, we’ve booked most of our stays in Airbnbs. They were easier to book than expected, you pick your location, date etc then see what comes up. It’s enabled us to stay in some more unique and off the beaten track places.

    They have been brilliant, without exception and all very different. It’s been hugely reassuring to go into a place for the first time and it looks just like the Airbnb listing 😅

    We‘ve met some of the owners which has been nice and interesting - from both our perspectives! I was very aware of making a good impression and not looking completely bonkers 🤪! I think we pulled it off 🤞🏻

    I didn’t know at the start that not only do we rate the accom, host, stay etc, but the host rates us too - yikes! I’m a neat freak (in one place I ended up dusting places that haven’t seen a duster for a while!) and we both respect other people’s spaces, so have been relieved we’ve been rated as good guests so far 😊

    Each place (understandably) has their own rules and regs. Most make complete sense, when delivered in a welcoming straightforward way.

    One place gave a pleasant intro para (so far so good), then changed gear issuing a list of things we shouldn’t do. All valid points, but delivered as if we were naughty kids! I’m guessing they’ve had bad experiences from previous guests, but as new arrivals, we felt slightly uneasy!

    Some places give you the bare essentials, loo roll and one sachet of washing up liquid, and others put fresh roses in a vase and leave proper filter coffee out for you. Whatever the type of host, we’ve felt comfortable in each place and each stay has enhanced our holiday.

    The thing all the places seem to have in common (at least the ones we’ve stayed in) is pride in their properties and a desire to be good hosts, which we’ve really appreciated.

    Last but not least (and not exclusive to Airbnbs)
    Microwaves - a short person’s lament….
    These really are moveable feasts - high, even higher, too low 😂
    Some have been so high even Col has had to stretch to reach. Why oh why can’t they all be on the kitchen counter so shorties like me can use them like a normal growth up 🤷‍♀️

    Spot the microwave in the pics below….    Les mer

    Se oversettelse
  • Tasmania & New Zealand
    Now you see it ...
    and now you don'tMount CookSwing bridge4

    Mount Cook / Aoraki

    7. april 2024, New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 5 °C

    The clocks went back last night, does that mean we had an extra hour in bed? I never know 🤔

    Our cottage is in a valley and when I looked out the window this morning, we were shrouded in fog. Thankfully this burnt off fast as the sun was in full shine mode and hot from the off.

    Today’s outing was to Mount Cook, less than an hours drive away. The drive took us past Lake Pukaki, its pale translucent blue gleaming in the sun. We walked down to the waters edge and watched the water gently rippling along the rocks, it was so peaceful (once the kid throwing rocks into the water got hauled away by his mum!)

    The landscape was outstanding, the Southern Alpes was our backdrop with Mount Cook (NZ’s highest peak) majestically rising in the background.

    We made our way to the Sir Edmond Hilary Centre, aka The Hermitage for a cuppa. We stayed here once, back in the day. I don’t remember much about it other than it was so dark, we struggled to find our way back to our accommodation after dinner!

    We went for a stumble on a gravelly pathway towards the Hooker Valley. According to the sign, it estimated 3 hours for a normal person to follow the track there and back. This wasn’t going to happen (not with these creaky knees and achy hip!) so we went to the first ‘swing bridge’ to get a flavour.
    On the way there we were bathed in hot sun, but on the way back it dipped behind a hill and the heat went out of the day in an instant. Ended up being a lovely walk, in stunning surroundings, but it took us an hour to walk less than a quarter of the trek, so the estimated 3 hours really was way off!

    Ended the day with a Chinese takeaway from a local food van. There were a bunch of food vans parked up, offering different dining options. Good to have a night off from cooking.

    And another lovely day ticks to the end……    Les mer

    Se oversettelse
  • Tasmania & New Zealand
    2Some great starry night skies

    Lake Ohau and hydro-electricity

    8. april 2024, New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    ….. and a starry night
    Really low cloud this morning and it wasn’t shifting quickly this time. We headed out to Lake Ohau, which is well is off the Lakes ‘Tekapo & Pukaki’ beaten track. The latter are on a main road south, so you can’t miss them - and not just because of the stunning blues.

    Ohau probably prefers being hidden and not having annoying tourists tramping all around it. It’s more modest than the other two, less showy. You’ve got to really want to see it to drive there, so Ohau knows you really make the effort just to see it!

    The sun had burnt off the worst of the clouds once we got there and the iridescent water reflected the blue sky, with just a few wisps of low cloud lingering.

    Now the day had perked up, we half heartedly considered the idea of a scenic flight, but the heli place at Pukaki airport was resolutely shut, so that was that. Instead we headed to Twizel for lunch, then to Ohau A & B hydro stations for a look around. Hydro is big here, due to the number of lakes that all play their part in the power production.

    Got back mid pm, to continue the ‘nightmare repacking scenario’ 🙄. We fly to Sydney on Wed, Dubai at the weekend, then home on Sunday. Our millions of little bags of this and that, which have followed us around in the car for the last month, now need to be firmly tackled and tamed and squished in to our original luggage 😱.

    My spirits are low, as are my hopes for success….    Les mer

    Se oversettelse
  • Tasmania & New Zealand
    This morning's dawn
    Weird cloud thing going onI made Col turn round so I could capture this dude!Three little piggies.....Final dinner with the guys ♥️

    Christchurch bound

    9. april 2024, New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    Leaving Twizel, the Otago region and essentially ending our road trip around NZ. To say we’re gutted is an understatement.

    Christchurch tonight, for a family catch up, then fly off to Sydney tomorrow pm. Might shed the odd tear or two……Les mer

    Se oversettelse
  • Tasmania & New Zealand
    Lush, Christchurch
    Anime vending machine shopFrom Carolyn & Gordon's garden, a feijoa fruit, also know as a guavasteen!

    Bye NZ

    10. april 2024, New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

    Spent our last night in a motel in central Christchurch. Compared to our past fab accommodations, this was basic / functional, extra plus: I could reach the microwave 😁

    The final packing tussle was grim, short and sweet. I won, but only just. The bags have lots of odd bulges (the movie Alien comes to mind) but they zipped up ok and were under weight, so job done.

    Our world tour of Lush shops continued, with a pic of the one in Northlands Mall, that makes 5, I think!

    Spent the morning with Paul, Lisa, Carolyn and Gordon. They then escorted us to the airport, to make absolutely sure we left the country!

    Hard to say our good-byes, have not only loved our time in NZ, but spending time with the guys too ♥️

    Once they’d gone, the usual airport routine took over, and before we knew it, we were on the plane and up, up and away….

    Next stop, Sydney 🇦🇺    Les mer

    Se oversettelse
  • 2025© FindPenguins
  • Hjem
  • Om oss
  • Gruppesporing
  • Presse
  • VilkĂĽr
  • Personvern & Cookies
  • Hjelpesenter
  • Avtrykk