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South Pacific Solo Travel
  • Greg Clayton
  • Greg Clayton

South Pacific Solo Travel

A 112-day adventure by Greg Read more
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  • Greg ClaytonSouth Pacific Solo TravelTraveler

    Tirohanga Track

    January 14, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌬 23 °C

    After a relaxed morning I was already missing hiking too much so took the path up to the top of a nearby hill. I sat at the top for around 45 before descinding back into the town to enjoy a roast dinner and a couple of apple juices!Read more

  • Greg ClaytonSouth Pacific Solo TravelTraveler

    Arriving in Blenheim

    January 15, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    This morning I took the half hour bus from Picton to the town Blenheim. After dropping my bags off at the hostel I wasted no time in getting out and about. First of all heading down to the river which runs the whole length of the town so made for a nice walk whilst getting from A to B!Read more

  • Greg ClaytonSouth Pacific Solo TravelTraveler

    Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre

    January 15, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

    For a small town like Blenheim it unusually has this amazing aircraft museum! The collection of original and model aircraft is owned by Sir Peter Jackson (director of Lord of the Rings, the Hobbit, King Kong amongst other films) with many of the displays recreating real historic scenes and moments involving the aircraft!

    There were two exhibitions, WWI and WWII, I chose to see the WWI exhibition and was extremely impressed with the displays and information despite this not typically being my thing!    Read more

  • Greg ClaytonSouth Pacific Solo TravelTraveler

    Harling Park and Wither Hills Farm Park

    January 15, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    In summary, Harling Park is a small park containing a pretty Japanese garden. It finds itself next door to one of Blenheim's main attractions, Wither Hills Farm Park. However, when I arrived at Wither Hills, I discovered it had been temporarily shut down a few days ago due to risks of wildfire. Unlikely to cause any problem today as it was very cool and overcast.Read more

  • Greg ClaytonSouth Pacific Solo TravelTraveler

    Pollard Park

    January 15, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    I then took a walk back along the river towards the other end of town (near my hostel) to have a look around Pollard Park! It was a lovely setting with a nice river running through the middle. I then refreshed myself for the evening at the hostel before heading out to the Marlborough Public House for an amazing burger!Read more

  • Greg ClaytonSouth Pacific Solo TravelTraveler

    Renwick Wine Tour

    January 16, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    Today I hired a bike and set off on a tour of the vineyards in Renwick where there are around 20 vineyards in a 5km radius! I managed to visit 5 of those and sample around 25 wines throughout the day, gradually visiting wineries closer and closer to base as the alcohol consumption increased. I spent the day with an American guy called Matt who was also by himself and a great time was had by all!

    My favourite vineyard was definitely Bladen where we were talked through the the history of the vineyard and the wines by Denise (who puts the den in Bladen) who's parents started the vineyard in 1989. She had lots of personal stories to tell which made the visit extra interesting!    Read more

  • Greg ClaytonSouth Pacific Solo TravelTraveler

    Exploring Northern Blenheim

    January 16, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    By the time the wine tour had finished the sun was blazing so I set off to explore a few areas of Blenheim I'd not yet ventured to. This included a late lunch in Seymour Square, a trip across the river to Landsdowne Park and an apple juice in the vibrant beer garden of Dodson Street.Read more

  • Greg ClaytonSouth Pacific Solo TravelTraveler

    Bus to Kaikoura

    January 17, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    This morning I took the bus 2 hours further south to Kaikoura! The drive was a beautiful one with views out to see on the left and mountain ranges on the right. Arriving into Kaikoura this backdrop continued!Read more

  • Greg ClaytonSouth Pacific Solo TravelTraveler

    Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway - West Side

    January 17, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    This afternoon I took a stroll along the Kaikoura Peninsula walkway. First of all heading across to the west side where there were great views out to see and plenty of seals! I made a few stops along the way to read and even fell over in some unexpectedly slippy sand.Read more

  • Greg ClaytonSouth Pacific Solo TravelTraveler

    A Chilled Day in Kaikoura

    January 18, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌧 18 °C

    I faced two choices of what to do today. Either a) ascend 1,400m+ to the top of the tallest mountain in the nearby mountain range of b) have a relaxed day of doing not very much. For the first time in a while, the weather was somewhat ominous, not great for either option but better for the latter.

    I therefore spent the day re-planning the back end of my New Zealand trip, reading, strolling along the prom and listening to music. The sun did reappear in the late afternoon making for stunning views once again as I enjoyed an apple juice or two in the town.    Read more

  • Greg ClaytonSouth Pacific Solo TravelTraveler

    Arriving into Christchurch

    January 19, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌬 32 °C

    Today I took the 3 hour bus to Christchurch! Heading further south I expected it to be a little cooler but nope 33 degrees upon arrival and it remained close to this into the evening!

    I'd heard it makes for a very interesting city due having not even close to fully recovered from the earthquake the destroyed much of the city on 22nd February 2011.

    As a result of the earthquake, the city is a mixture of new buildings, completely empty flat spaces and derelict buildings that are yet to recover. Much of the empty space has been filled with street art so there are countless murals on literally every corner of the city.    Read more

  • Greg ClaytonSouth Pacific Solo TravelTraveler

    Quake City

    January 19, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌬 32 °C

    I was very intrigued to learn more about the 2011 earthquake so paid a visit to the Quake City exhibition. The exhibition told the fascinating story of New Zealand's quaking history, the build up to the earthquake, the aftermath and the rebuild of the city, including how it is proofing itself against future quakes.

    It was crazy to see how many of the cities oldest and most iconic buildings had been destroyed (more on this later) and some parts of the city had moved apart/together by up to 3.5m!

    I also passed through the pop up shop for the Cantebury Museum (wasn't much in this as the main museum is being renovated) and walked past the art gallery but decided not to step inside.    Read more

  • Greg ClaytonSouth Pacific Solo TravelTraveler

    Christchurch Arts Center

    January 19, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌬 32 °C

    The arts centre is part of the picturesque university campus. The galleries and boutique shops inside weren't really my thing but it made for an pleasant walk in the sun. The damage caused by the earthquake is still prevelant here and the last pic shows the Cantebury Museum which is closed for renovations.Read more

  • Greg ClaytonSouth Pacific Solo TravelTraveler

    Following the River

    January 19, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌬 30 °C

    I then followed the general path of the river through the city back towards where I am staying.

    En route I passed the earthquake memorial wall (185 died), PwC Cantebury, the bridge of remembrance ft. pro-Palestine horn honking protest, more street art and even did some grocery shopping!

    Earlier in the day I pushed my flight to Hawaii back by a week to 18/02 (more time in New Zealand (whoop), so this evening I also booked my flights to Cancun (21/02). I then spent much of the evening rebooking accomodation, trips and buses to spread my wings even further across the North Island! Good job everything has free changes/cancellation.    Read more

  • Greg ClaytonSouth Pacific Solo TravelTraveler

    Christchurch Cathedral

    January 19, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌬 29 °C

    The cathedral is in the heart of the city, yet is still in a desperate state as a result of the earthquake 13 years ago. It wasn't possible to take a picture that didn't resemble a building site as the city struggles to this day to save and rebuild the cathedral.Read more

  • Greg ClaytonSouth Pacific Solo TravelTraveler

    Christchurch Gondola

    January 20, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C

    Today can be described as the day of many buses! I set off nice and early to be one of the first people to board the Christchurch Gondola! Standing at 445m the viewing platform offered superb panoramic views over Christchurch and the opposing bays.

    On the way back down we noticed that there was nobody coming back up the other way. When we reached the bottom there were masses of people waiting around but a sign was up to say that they had paused the rides due to high winds, evidently not high enough for them to stop sending people down!    Read more

  • Greg ClaytonSouth Pacific Solo TravelTraveler

    Lyttleton Market

    January 20, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    Next up I hopped on the bus 5 minutes further south to the coastal town of Lyttleton. Saturday morning is when the farmers market is on so I thought it would be rude not to pay a visit and pick something up (a bacon and egg pie in this case).Read more

  • Greg ClaytonSouth Pacific Solo TravelTraveler

    Cashmere Hills Lookout

    January 20, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    Another two buses later and I was at Cashmere Lookout, once again with great views over the city, although notably there is no real skyline due to restrictions over the height/number of floors allowed in a building in Christchurch.

    I got talking to an older local guy who had done a lot of travelling himself. After chatting for a while he ended up giving me his email address in case I ever wanted to borrow his boat in Guatemala or get a job as a sailor through the Caribbean islands. You never know.    Read more

  • Greg ClaytonSouth Pacific Solo TravelTraveler

    Port Hills

    January 20, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    Adjacent to the Cashmere Lookout were the 'port hills', a reserve made up of a serious of trails through the woodland with great views over the city and then to the nearby bays. I spent a few hours wandering though here before heading back into the city.Read more

  • Greg ClaytonSouth Pacific Solo TravelTraveler

    Jamboree Reunion

    January 20, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌙 22 °C

    This evening I was reunited with Carine, Jasen, Morgan and Rosie from the Jamboree events team who live in Christchurch! We had food and a few drinks at Smash Palace with a great time had by all.

  • Greg ClaytonSouth Pacific Solo TravelTraveler

    Christchurch Walking Tour

    January 21, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    This morning I joined a 2 hour walking tour around the city. Our tour guide was a local student who was born, grown up in and educated in Christchurch so she knew her stuff. It was fascinating to learn about the history of the city and how it has bounced back from many setbacks.Read more

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