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Our together adventure
  • Maree Crawford
  • Maree Crawford

Our together adventure

Steve, Maree and Ben Read more
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  • Trip start
    April 27, 2018
  • Maree CrawfordOur together adventureTraveler
    Mr Moomin is ready for another adventure
    Breaky in T2, TullamarineLooking down at QueenstownA blurry pic but it shows us flying straight up the lake between the mountainsA bit chilly on landing

    Kia Ora Kiwi-land

    April 28, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 7 °C

    Second stop- New Zealand
    Up fairly early to get the 9.10 am flight to Queenstown with Air New Zealand. We meet Brent, a bloke from Victoria who is going on the hunt with Steve and Chris. It's a good flight but cloudy when we come in so the landing up the Lake in Queenstown isn't as spectacular is it could be but OK. When we get to customs, we get held up as a biosecurity bloke thinks Steve's antlers he's brought over to give to Casey aren't cleaned well enough and they need to be irradiated etc in Auckland. It takes a while to get sorted but in the end Steve has to leave them there.
    We get our hire car and drive to Hawea Flats via "the long way" because the Crown Range Road is closed due to snow and rain. We go via Cromwell, wet and cloudy and cold. No shops are open at Cromwell on a Saturday afternoon so we get a pie at the servo.

    We get to Our destination - Lake Hawea Hunting Safaris NZ. Run by a now good friend of Steve's Chris McCarthy. Casey from Colorado, a guide is also there to meet us as well as Chris' wife Bronwyn and girls, Gretchen, Emily, Lilly and baby Lucy.
    When we have tea, Chris' cousin Nikki and her hubbie, Graeme and son Max join us. A lovely night.    Read more

  • Maree CrawfordOur together adventureTraveler
    Lake Hawea

    Exploring Lake Hawea, Wanaka, Cardrona

    April 29, 2018 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌙 5 °C

    Today the men pack up and get ready for their early morning start tomorrow in the helicopter to get them up past the Fox glacier area to hunt. Brrr.
    Around lunch time Steve and I had off for a drive around beautiful Lake Hawea, Wanaka and Cardrona. On the way to Cardrona is a fence full of bras called BRAdrona - a fundraiser for breast cancer awareness. Bronwyn says it's been there for at least 15 years. We then keep going to Cardrona Hotel, an old done up pub, restaurant and coffee house. Very lovely, open fires, dark, lots of knick knacks everywhere and money stuck to the ceiling, pasted up by tourists.
    Home again to a warm house and another lovely tea.    Read more

  • Maree CrawfordOur together adventureTraveler
    Home at Hawea Flat
    Driving along the Crown RangeOld ArrowtownLake HayesIn Queenstown looking at the Remarkables

    Separate adventures for 5 days

    April 30, 2018 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌙 7 °C

    The weather has improved! Today Steve and the boys go off on their hunt. Bill is another bloke going with them who turned up through the night or early morning.
    I leave home about 9 am and drive to Arrowtown via the Crown Range Road, it is open today. At the Cardrona Hotel I stop in again for a coffee and monster cheese scone - yum. Then onwards and upwards and then downwards along the Crown Ridge. This is a very spectacular drive, especially now as the autumn leaves and light make the snow caps and blue sky so vivid.
    I stop into Arrowtown as Steve said it's worth a look. It is - pretty little town with 1 street full of shops and cafes done up from the 1800's. After there I head down to Invercargill via the Southern Scenic Route via pretty Lake Hayes, Kingston, Lumsden and Winton. I don't need to go into Queenstown but have a remarkable view of The Remarkables. The section down to Winton is another winding, hilly road following Lake Wakatipu, very pretty. After that it becomes flat farm land.
    I'm a bit early for my accomodation so drive through Invercargill down to Bluff and check out Stirling Point    Read more

  • Maree CrawfordOur together adventureTraveler

    Clever loo

    April 30, 2018 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    Of all the out of the way places to find a toilet that talks you through everything, makes sure you're still there " my sensors detect no movement, please move around a bit or I'll open the door", AND plays jazzy piano version of "what the world needs now, is love sweet love" while you tinkle! I was blown away! It deserved a story on its own, I thought.Read more

  • Maree CrawfordOur together adventureTraveler

    Bluff, most southern NZ town

    April 30, 2018 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    With a bit of time to kill today and a bit to do tomorrow, I headed down to Bluff, a good sized port and gateway to Stewart Island. I found a road to a scenic lookout which was pretty high and a good all round view of the area.
    I then followed my nose, and a few signs, and found Stirling Point. A nice cafe for a cuppa and some walks to the beaches. Big dark pebbly beaches and lots of big bull kelp.
    Then back to Invercargill to the Tuatara Backpackers Lodge.    Read more

  • Maree CrawfordOur together adventureTraveler
    Room 17Stairwells full of paintings

    Funky little backpackers

    April 30, 2018 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    Home tonight is the Tuatara (biggish NZ lizard) Backpackers Lodge. Very funky "art deco" type place. Looks impressive but pretty basic, nice and cheap. No kettle! I did bring my travel kettle from Europe but forgot to bring a cup! Must get one tomorrow. They have their own cafe so I just got food from there. It is in central city, I managed to get a car park, a warm bed (all to myself), a hot shower, free wifi, so all is good.Read more

  • Maree CrawfordOur together adventureTraveler
    Australian and apparently owned by Errol FlynnAll sorts of memorabiliaBetty Boop themed loo. Booboobeedo

    Bill Richardson Transport World

    May 1, 2018 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌙 8 °C

    Wow! I can see why this was recommended. Worth the soaking I got walking in and out to the car.
    It is very well done and if I had the hubby and 4 sons with me I never would have got out of there ( and so I said in their visitors book).
    Thete were 3 loos and all were themed. 1 was Betty Boop, 1 was lego, 1 was 1800's ladies decorated - don't know what the men's were.......strangely enough 😕😆    Read more

  • Maree CrawfordOur together adventureTraveler

    Driving in the drizzle

    May 1, 2018 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌙 7 °C

    I spent the morning in Invercargill exploring a bit. My impression - it's a sad, old dirty peeling city in need of a major facelift. Many empty shops too. Or at least city centre was.
    I went to their museum but it was closed - something about an earthquake??
    It started to drizzle quite heavily then but I found an Automobile museum recommended to me by the internet but also Chris' cousin. I'll do a separate page on that one!
    I was thinking of going to Dunedin via the Catlins but there was no real signage to it that I saw plus the weather was dreary so didn't bother. Stayed on highway 1.
    Gore was a pretty, well kept happy looking place though.
    When I got to Dunedin I went to the Dive shop as I'd been emailing them about a dive tomorrow. The weather is still a bit crappy so their last resort site is the only dive tomorrow. We thought Thursday would be better so we'll see.
    Google Lady led me to the Geeky Gecko Backpackers. Settled in there, ordered pizza to be delivered for tea as it's still raining.    Read more

  • Maree CrawfordOur together adventureTraveler
    One for Nan made of stamps
    Crochet flowersTravel brochures- I should make one!!The coffee pods had a real sheen to themIron Maiden for Mick

    FibreOctave wearable art.

    May 1, 2018 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C

    "Enter a world of enchantment and intrigue with wearable art in Southland.  FibreOctave is set to be staged at Bill Richardson Transport World on 15 June 2018.  In this unique and apt environment, surrounded by a collection of world class vehicles, the show will be a spectacle of colour and creativity.  Designed to grace the human body wearable art knows no bounds and is limited only by the imagination. FibreOctave is a spectacular show of wearable art, music and dance.

    Wearable Art entries are invited from artists with a flair for dramatic artistry designed with that X factor that is wearable art. The brief to those creating wearable art is simple. It has to be art and it has to be wearable.

    FibreOctave is presented in Invercargill in June each year and plays to a capacity crowd, tickets selling out 6 weeks in advance. FibreOctave is an artistic experience in Southland not to be missed." From the website.    Read more

  • Maree CrawfordOur together adventureTraveler
    There's always a birdOn Peninsula looking back to Dunedin centreThe second most photographed building after the Sydney Opera HousePanoramic shot of all of Dunedin

    Good Company

    May 2, 2018 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌙 10 °C

    2 hour city bus tour. Not hop-on, hop-off but a good tour still to get your bearings and get some history.
    Dunedin was settled by the Scottish and deliberately laid out like Edinburgh. Their civic square is actually The Octagon. Beautiful day today to see the sightsRead more

  • Maree CrawfordOur together adventureTraveler
    The ballroom for a cup of teaLooking down from the turretThird wife's wedding gown in her boudoir

    Larnach Castle

    May 2, 2018 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌙 10 °C

    This is a place everyone says you must visit. It is the only castle in New Zealand and was built by William Larnach in the 1800's, a Scotsman who came to NZ from Australia. He had 11 kids, 3 wives, shot himself dead and all the kids squabbled over inheritance.
    In 1967 newly wed Barkers bought the castle and spent the past 50 years restoring and maintaining it as their private home. It is also used for events, balls, haggis celebrations and public tours.    Read more

  • Maree CrawfordOur together adventureTraveler
    Old bank of New Zealand in the background
    CasinoOld gaolLaw courtsTown HallAnglican cathedral

    Architecture

    May 2, 2018 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌙 10 °C

    A lot of the old buildings here were by a Scottish Australian architect Robert Lawson.
    "Robert Arthur Lawson (1 January 1833 – 3 December 1902) was one of New Zealand's pre-eminent 19th century architects. It has been said he did more than any other designer to shape the face of the Victorian era architecture of the city of Dunedin.[1] He is the architect of over forty churches, including Dunedin's First Church for which he is best remembered, but also other buildings, such as Larnach Castle, a country house, with which he is also associated.
    Lawson is acclaimed for his work in both the Gothic revival and classical styles of architecture. He was prolific, and while isolated buildings remain in Scotland and Australia, it is in the Dunedin area that most surviving examples can now be found." Wikipedia    Read more

  • Maree CrawfordOur together adventureTraveler
    Each side of a big doorThis one was only finished yesterday, 2 doors up from here

    City of Art

    May 3, 2018 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌙 10 °C

    Over the past 4 years there's been an explosion of street art in Dunedin. Artists from all over the world and locals paint huge or smaller art on the blank walls. Some are easy to see, some poked sway and even the big ones you don't notice straight away. I went for a wee walk this morning to find some of them. Consequently there isn't much vandalism paint to see. At the moment there's about 40 of them and I saw one get finished yesterday.
    Check out this website for more I didn't see and the map of where they are
    http://dunedinstreetart.co.nz/artworks/    Read more

  • Maree CrawfordOur together adventureTraveler
    Sheep under Jetty Road, I thought they were seals at first!
    Queens SquareNext door to the Gecko

    Found the malls!

    May 3, 2018 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌙 10 °C

    This morning I walked and found the street art I could see on my way to The Octagon again. I ventured up the north streets off it today and found the shopping precinct. Much like any other city - malls, shopping plazas and food courts.
    Then it was time to explore the lower roads of the Otago Peninsula.    Read more

  • Maree CrawfordOur together adventureTraveler

    Otago Peninsula

    May 3, 2018 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌙 10 °C

    After lunch I jumped in the car (after I found a parking fine) and drove back out to the Peninsula. I drove around the bottom this time, winding roads right on the edge. I ended up right up the end where the Albatross and Penguin tours happen. There's quite a flash info centre there. On the way back I crossed over the hills again to walk along Smaill Beach. There was 1 surfer there trying the big breakers.Read more

  • Maree CrawfordOur together adventureTraveler
    Very, very steep
    Looking back to DunedinPort ChalmersOut through the PeninsulaKaritane

    Bye for now Dunedin

    May 5, 2018 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 4 °C

    Left Dunedin via the Steepest Street in the world, according to the Guinness book of Records. Then up through Port Chalmers to take a look at their major port, many pine logs waiting to be shipped out and lots of logs in the marina. Then I followed the Coast Road up to Palmerston. I LOVED a little place Karitane (pronounced karitanay), if we ever have to move here (which we won't) I'll live there.
    Then inland via Ranfurly, Alexandria and Cromwell. Wow, doesn't a sunny day make a difference! "Crummy Cromwell" turned into beautiful. Fuelled up at Wanaka and then home to Hawea Flat to the lads back from their hunting trip.
    A lovely tea and Casey ( Colorado) and Bill (Boston) doing music YouTube DJ requests made for a lovely last supper.    Read more

  • Maree CrawfordOur together adventureTraveler
    Reverse Bungee!! Flicked up like a rubber bandLord Auckland

    Auckland by night

    May 5, 2018 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    Indian for tea and then a stroll to walk it off! Got a new Oppo phone with a really good camera. Takes good night photos 💟

  • Maree CrawfordOur together adventureTraveler

    Salty Towers

    May 6, 2018 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    Our accommodation.
    These people are friends of Al and Louise, who have a house around the corner.
    Great view, just over the road from the beach. Very comfortable.

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