Adventure 2025

A 56-day adventure by Alison Read more

Follow Insights Calendar Share

Footprints
Photos

Trip start
January 12, 2025
Adventure 2025 Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 2
Monday, January 13, 2025 at 10:31 PM
🌧 25 °C
Altitude: 27 m
Singapore Hong Lim Park 1.288072, 103.8457921°17’17” N 103°50’45” E
1
Singapore
January 13 in Singapore ⋅ 🌧 25 °C
Hi guys.. Good to see you up and running 👍 We’ve requested to follow you, waiting for your acceptance. NZ is waiting for you 😂 [Col and Pam 😀]
1/13/25Reply
Looks amazing ! Happy Travelling we shall enjoy following you x [helene thompson]
1/13/25Reply
3 likes
Adventure 2025 Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 2
Monday, January 13, 2025 at 10:37 PM
🌧 25 °C
Altitude: 27 m
Singapore Hong Lim Park 1.288108, 103.845741°17’17” N 103°50’45” E
Singapore
January 13 in Singapore ⋅ 🌧 25 °C
SINGAPORE
2 busy days in Singapore. Amazing architecture and history. Walked miles yesterday around Gardens by the Bay. Incredibly heavy down pours at times. Well, it is a rainforest! Today, we went to the National Museum, which made sense of the place. Also out of the rain! Fort Canning Park was a delight to walk through. We rounded off the evening with a meal and a boat trip.Read more
How wonderful that your adventure has begun . Look forward to following your journey. Love the photos . Looks as if you are both having fun already . Sending love ❤️ [Eileen Thursfield]
1/13/25Reply
Great to hear from you😁. Sounds like you’re having a wonderful time. Nice pics. [Pam]
1/13/25Reply
4 likes
Adventure 2025 Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 5
Thursday, January 16, 2025 at 1:11 AM
⛅ 13 °C
Altitude: 19 m
New Zealand Styx River -43.469209, 172.5707143°28’9” S 172°34’15” E
Christchurch
January 16 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C
Our new home in Christchurch for 2 nights, before we pick up the van. Very friendly place. We took the bus to Christchurch centre. The Quake Museum was poignant with personal experiences. Also, new geographical concepts for me. I learnt about liquifcation of the ground.Read more
TravelerLooks lovely! And well done for working out the format of the app! 😅 x
1/15/25Reply
TravelerThank you. Dad is happy. He has found OP
1/15/25Reply
TravelerSo the adventure is really starting now that you are in New Zealand.
1/15/25Reply
2 more comments
5 likes
Adventure 2025 Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 6
Friday, January 17, 2025 at 4:27 AM
🌙 11 °C
Altitude: 26 m
New Zealand Styx River -43.469349, 172.57052343°28’10” S 172°34’14” E
Gongola and Botanical Gardens
January 17 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌙 11 °C
A bus trip across Christchurch to the gondola which gave us great views over Banks Peninsula and the coast. Fish and chips for lunch. Thanks for the tip Jenny. Back into Christchurch for the botanical gardens, which were extensive. Quick dip in the campsite pool then an evening of planning the next few days. Picking up the van, then Banks Peninsula coastal campsite. Then the West Coast looks better weather, so that's the plan. We won't have much WiFi so might go silent on you for a while. We will stay on basic campsites.Read more
What great views ! Stunning scenery ! [Eileen]
1/16/25Reply
TravelerThank you for all the encouragement Eileen. 😘
1/16/25Reply
TravelerBusy time. And good to see you are wearing shorts. You have worked the Cooper magic with the weather again. You could ask for WiFi in the campervan.
1/16/25Reply
TravelerI think it's a field and a long drop toilet. 😂
1/16/25Reply
4 more comments
5 likes
Adventure 2025 Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 6
Friday, January 17, 2025 at 10:00 PM
🌙 14 °C
Altitude: 741 m
New Zealand Lake Tekapo Aerodrome -43.9975, 170.46023843°59’51” S 170°27’37” E
1 1 1
First night- Banks Peninsula
January 17 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌙 14 °C
We picked up our home for the next 40 days and travelled for 2 hours to stay on a beach campsite. Very family friendly and good atmosphere. I had underestimated the scale of our first drive, but Rob did a grand job of driving the steep hills and hairpin bends. Banks Peninsula is an extinct volcano. The scenery was a great introduction to NZ. Very peaceful.Read more
Traveler Beautiful scenery!
1/19/25Reply
TravelerHairy!🥺
1/19/25Reply
TravelerGreat scenery ! Looks very peaceful . The idea of a beach campsite sounds lovely but I’m not so sure about steep hills and hairpin bends 🤔
1/19/25Reply
TravelerI'm glad I didn't have to drive it.
1/19/25Reply
5 more comments
5 likes
Adventure 2025 Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 7
Saturday, January 18, 2025 at 10:35 PM
🌙 14 °C
Altitude: 1,488 m
New Zealand Mount Oakden -43.244817, 171.42158343°14’41” S 171°25’18” E
Rakaia Gorge
January 18 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌙 14 °C
We moved on to Rakaia Gorge. Our van overlooked the wide outflow. 6 light aircrafts landed on the silted area and then took off again. Just for our entertainment! We walked the gorge in the afternoon. Our days seem very full.Read more
TravelerLooks lovely. Hope you get some time to rest!
1/19/25Reply
TravelerWow looks amazing
1/19/25Reply
TravelerStunning 😍
1/19/25Reply
5 likes
Adventure 2025 Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 8
Sunday, January 19, 2025 at 6:08 AM
🌙 8 °C
Altitude: 1,141 m
New Zealand Hoophorn Spur -43.758511, 170.09308443°45’31” S 170°5’35” E
1 1 1
Mount Cook
January 19 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌙 8 °C
We were planning to go over Arthurs Pass to the West Coast, but reviewing future weather forecasts, we realised we needed to bring our Milford Sound trip forward. So we are speeding down to Te Anua over 3 days. We left Rakaia Gorge in rain and eventually drove into sunshine. Arrived at Mount Cook visitor area after a beautiful drive up Lake Pukaki. As we were only going to be here once, we decided to do the Hooker Valley walk - good decision. The weather just got better, and initially, most of Mount Cook was obscured by cloud. Then suddenly it all cleared and we became obsessed with the mountain. An emotional experience I was quite tearful. Arrived late into camp at Lake Tekapo and made quick pasta and fish dish. Very tired but an amazing day.Read more
Traveler Oh wow so beautiful
1/19/25Reply
TravelerAmazing! The scenery looks like a painting
1/19/25Reply
TravelerSo pleased the mountain showed you her best side 👍
1/19/25Reply
3 more comments
4 likes
Adventure 2025 Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 9
Monday, January 20, 2025 at 5:07 PM
☀️ 22 °C
Altitude: 736 m
New Zealand Lake Tekapo Aerodrome -44.001023, 170.46397244°0’4” S 170°27’50” E
3
Lake Tekapo
January 20 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
Another change of plan! The weather in Lake Tekapo was so perfect we decided to stay another night. The last photo is our campsite outlook. This means a lot of driving tomorrow to Te Anua. We were supposed to have relaxed today, but we did a 3 hour walk up Mt John to the Observatory. A swim cooled us off. The sky is clear tonight, so at 10 pm, we are back to top of Mt John for a time with the telescope to have a star gazing experience.Read more
TravelerThe weather looks perfect and it seems like a beautiful ,peaceful place . Great photos . Enjoying sharing your trip .
1/20/25Reply
TravelerThank you Eileen. Struck lucky with the weather so far, but I'm not sure what's in store.
1/20/25Reply
Brave swimming in that water [sue wreathall]
1/20/25Reply
TravelerSwimming is an over statement. I've been in colder in the UK. X
1/21/25Reply
7 more comments
3 likes
Adventure 2025 Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 10
Tuesday, January 21, 2025 at 8:26 PM
☀️ 19 °C
Altitude: 206 m
New Zealand Te Anau -45.414707, 167.70943345°24’53” S 167°42’34” E
Travelling to Te Anua.
January 21 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C
A 7.00am start from Lake Tekapo began our 9 hour journey. So much of it could be classified as a scenic drive. Photos from a moving van just don't work for me, so much of the beauty has gone unrecorded. We said farewell to Mount Cook on the way past. Breakfast was at Lowburn free campsite near Cromwell, where Rob had a swim. The lunch stop was Lake Wakatipu near Queenstown. We finally arrived in Te Anua. The town was not inspiring, but it seems to be the gateway to everywhere. We are preparing for Milford Sound tomorrow.Read more
TravelerThe scenery looks fantastic.
1/21/25Reply
TravelerAwesome!
1/22/25Reply
3 likes
Adventure 2025 Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 11
Wednesday, January 22, 2025 at 8:00 AM
☁️ 12 °C
Altitude: 206 m
New Zealand Te Anau -45.414683, 167.70942245°24’53” S 167°42’34” E
1 1
Milford Sound
January 22 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C
TravelerStunning 😍 view's not bad either! Xx
1/22/25Reply
TravelerGlad you got to see Milford in the sun!
1/22/25Reply
Traveler You both look so happy 😀
1/23/25Reply
2 more comments
5 likes
Adventure 2025 Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 11
Wednesday, January 22, 2025 at 9:05 AM
☁️ 14 °C
Altitude: 206 m
New Zealand Te Anau -45.41476, 167.70951745°24’53” S 167°42’34” E
2
Milford Sound
January 22 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C
We took a trip from Te Anua to Milford Sound in a minibus with a guide. It was a good decision as it took the pressure off us. Our guide, Jo Jo, was very enthusiastic, telling us about the Maori and settler history and the ecology of the region. The photos of Milford speak for themselves. There aren't enough superlatives. We relaxed after in the hot tub with a view of Lake Anua, then had a lovely meal in a Thai restaurant. My opinion of Te Anua improved as it had a lively atmosphere in the evening. Enclosed are 2 videos as we re-entered Milford Sound from the open sea.Read more
Traveler Oh my goodness, blue sky, blue water and this amazing peaks. Fantastic
1/23/25Reply
TravelerWe were so lucky Helen. I'm missing home, friends and family but NZ is most diverting. X
1/23/25Reply
TravelerAbsolutely stunning!
1/23/25Reply
5 likes
Adventure 2025 Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 12
Thursday, January 23, 2025 at 8:55 PM
☁️ 11 °C
Altitude: 178 m
New Zealand Mararoa River -45.567335, 167.60418445°34’2” S 167°36’15” E
Manapouri
January 23 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C
TravelerLooks so good, happy memories for me and you are making yours
1/23/25Reply
Traveler🤎
1/23/25Reply
5 likes
Adventure 2025 Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 13–18
January 24, 2025 at 9:18 PM - January 29, 2025
5 nights
☁️ 15 °C
Altitude: 178 m
New Zealand Mararoa River -45.56721, 167.6041145°34’2” S 167°36’15” E
Unexpectedly Manapori
Jan 24–29 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C
At 7.00am we took a 10 minutes walk from our campsite to the landing stage for our departure to Doubtful Sound. To our disappointment, it had been cancelled because the engine of the Doubtful Sound boat had an oil leak. We are rebooked for Sunday but have to stay at Manapouri a few more days. However, we did have a lovely day. We did a 4 hour walk on the other side of the river , with a lovely lunchtime view. We invited Tom, a solo traveller, to join us. He is a Calafornian and it added to our day to share it with him. We managed to fit in a swim in the lake, which was refreshing after the long hike. It's good to be staying 3 nights in one place. The enforced slow down has come at a good moment.Read more
TravelerLooks like our kind of day..👍👊
1/25/25Reply
Gorgeous photos. So pleased it's going well. [Sue]
2/1/25Reply
4 likes
Adventure 2025 Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 14
Saturday, January 25, 2025 at 7:30 PM
☁️ 19 °C
Altitude: 180 m
New Zealand Mararoa River -45.566956, 167.60439745°34’1” S 167°36’16” E
1
Rest day in Manapouri.
January 25 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C
A relaxed day in Manapouri. We sorted out the next few days campsites and travel. Did a bit of laundry. A pleasant walk on the beach and a quick swim in the lake. In one of the photos, I am pointing to the summit we reached yesterday on our hike. Had a huge chicken burger and a pint for supper in this converted church. Great meal. Tomorrow, we try again for Doubtful Sound 🤞We won't have WiFi until Tuesday,so no more posts until then.Read more
Traveler Amazing photo
1/26/25Reply
5 likes
Adventure 2025 Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 15
Sunday, January 26, 2025 at 9:48 PM
☁️ 10 °C
Altitude: Sea level
New Zealand Smith Sound -45.328376, 167.00391945°19’42” S 167°0’14” E
1
Doubtful Sound
January 26 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C
So was Doubtful Sound worth the 2 days wait? Yes it was. The weather was dry, and cold, which added to this special place. I wish my camera could do it justice. We remained outside on the top of the boat for the 3 hour trip. Somehow, we didn't notice the cold. The brown splodges on the rocks are seals at the seaward end of the sound. We got back to Manapouri and planned to head for the West Coast as we knew we had a 2 day window of good weather We spent the night free camping at Lowburn near Cromwell. The light show that evening was a small rainbow and a canopy of stars. An amazing day.Read more
Traveler Amazing
1/28/25Reply
6 likes
Adventure 2025 Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 16
Monday, January 27, 2025 at 10:28 PM
☁️ 12 °C
Altitude: 28 m
New Zealand Waihuka Stream -43.714884, 169.42297243°42’54” S 169°25’23” E
1 1
Wanaka to the West Coast
January 27 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C
An early start and breakfast on the lake front at Wanaka around 8.00 am. We were looking for an information centre but nothing was open. I asked a young woman if I could share her picnic table. She turned out to provide the very best information for us. She was an Irish teacher, now working in Wanaka. She recommended we climb Mount Iron, and so we did. Journeying on, we travelled the Haast Pass, lunching at Blue Pools on the way. Alas, there were no pools but an attractive river. We squeezed in another walk at Munro beach. There was a promise of penguins, but we didn't find them. We spent the night at a basic DOC campsite on Lake Paringa. A quick swim before supper and bed.Read more
Traveler Perfect
1/28/25Reply
Traveler Lovely photo of you both
1/28/25Reply
TravelerYou are making such amazing memories
1/28/25Reply
TravelerThank you Eileen. It will be great to this record of our time to aid our memory in later life!
1/28/25Reply
6 likes
Adventure 2025 Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 17
Tuesday, January 28, 2025 at 7:29 AM
☁️ 14 °C
Altitude: 5 m
New Zealand Hokitika Aerodrome -42.717806, 170.96544742°43’4” S 170°57’56” E
1 2 3 2 1
Lakes and Glaciers
January 28 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C
Another pre dawn start. You've got to fit it all in! It's cold at this time of day, but we eventually thaw out. Dawn on Bruce Bay beach. We were inspired by Jonny and Immy's book to walk the 1.5-hour hike around Materson Lake, aka Mirror Lake. Beautiful images of Mounts Cook and Tasman. Photographing and just standing and staring took most of that time. Then, on to Franz Joseph glacier for a landscape to make you feel small. Our campsite for the night was Hokitika. A wild beach and alternative culture feel of a place.Read more
Traveler Wow! I remember being so amazed by this view over a decade ago
1/28/25Reply
TravelerGlad you got to enjoy it too. Xx
1/28/25Reply
Traveler Sadly there was a lot more glacier then
1/28/25Reply
9 more comments
5 likes
Adventure 2025 Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 18
Wednesday, January 29, 2025 at 7:58 AM
⛅ 8 °C
Altitude: 592 m
New Zealand Waterfall Creek -42.379285, 172.33324942°22’45” S 172°19’60” E
Maruia Springs Spa
January 29 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 8 °C
Where to go on a very wet day? We were feeling the need for a break from the constant activity. A hot springs spa was the perfect relaxation. The pools were between 32 and 40 degrees. Add in a sauna experience (Alfguss) with aromas, towel wafting and music followed by a facial mud pack. A yoga session in which we both fell asleep! An exercise class prevented us from being totally sloth like. In the evening, we treated ourselves to a first class meal. The sandflies were the only fly in the ointmentRead more
TravelerBliss 👍😁
1/30/25Reply
TravelerGlad there was no photo of Rob with his facial mud pack 😂😂
1/30/25Reply
TravelerIt goes well with a beard.😂
1/30/25Reply
2 more comments
4 likes
Adventure 2025 Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 19
Thursday, January 30, 2025 at 9:06 AM
☁️ 15 °C
Altitude: 7 m
New Zealand Punakaiki -42.106135, 171.3365742°6’22” S 171°20’12” E
Punakaiki
January 30 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C
Returning to the coast via Reefton and a bit of history, we reached Punakaiki with its pancake rocks. So many photographs to choose from! Our campsite was on the beach. We did a rather ambitious walk along and between the two rivers, Pororari and Punakaiki. Arrived back in camp around 7.00pm. Rob made an excellent meal of noodles, prawns and vegetables. We were just in time to have coffee at sunset on the beach. Activity has recommenced!Read more
TravelerIts sounds as though you are having an amazing time, very envious of the west coast sun xx
1/31/25Reply
TravelerLovely seeing all the places we have visited. Looks like you are having an amazing holiday. X
2/6/25Reply
TravelerYes, it's hard not to with so many amazing opportunities. X
2/6/25Reply
3 likes
Adventure 2025 Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 20
Friday, January 31, 2025 at 8:27 PM
☁️ 17 °C
Altitude: 158 m
New Zealand Murchison -41.794196, 172.33869441°47’39” S 172°20’19” E
1
Punakaiki to Murchison
January 31 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C
A few domestic tasks before we left the campsite this morning. This included laundry and Rob performing the ultimate noble task of emptying the campervan toilet. We wanted to see the pancake rocks again in the sunshine - sorry for the repeats. The journey up the coast to Westport was stunning. It's such a shame it's too wild to swim. Journeying the Buller Valley was also a treat. We are camped by the river in Murchison, so we finally got a swim. I thought in my twilight years I would be living a sedate life. Rob has other ideas - tomorrow we are booked on White Water Rafting. 🫣Read more
TravelerYou’ll love it Alison.. Wait till he gets you on the Bungy jump 😂😂
1/31/25Reply
TravelerI think he knows my limits.🤣
1/31/25Reply
TravelerFantastic 👍😁. Have fun 🤩
1/31/25Reply
7 more comments
6 likes
Adventure 2025 Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 21
Saturday, February 1, 2025 at 9:12 PM
☁️ 14 °C
Altitude: 633 m
New Zealand Brunner Peninsula -41.803547, 172.83208641°48’13” S 172°49’56” E
1 1
Panic and Peace
February 1 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C
We survived! White Water Rafting had its excitement and also its calm and beauty. I'm the one in the green helmet, almost submerged at times. Rob is the one with the beard. We partnered 3 young Australian brothers/cousins who seemed to have a death wish. They spent a lot of time in the water rather than in the raft. Holly, our pilot, did all the hard work. It was a good way to spend a rainy morning. We went on to St Arnaud and Lake Rotoiti in Nelson National Park. Staying in Buller campground, a Department of Conservation basic facility without hot water. There was time for a short walk around the lake to the visitor centre and back around the peninsula. Rob is shown before his namesake, Mount Robert. A very peaceful place.Read more
This was bold! [David]
2/2/25Reply
TravelerWe That's one word for it David. Crazy is another one that comes to mind. X
2/2/25Reply
Traveler So beautiful
2/3/25Reply
3 more comments
4 likes
Adventure 2025 Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 22–23
February 2, 2025 at 10:00 PM - February 3, 2025
1 night
🌙 18 °C
Altitude: 9 m
New Zealand Sandy Bay -41.005598, 173.00877241°0’20” S 173°0’32” E
Marahau Abel Tasman
Feb 2–3 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌙 18 °C
We travelled on really quiet roads to Marahau. Through farm land and low hills. A relaxed day with a walk on the beach. Had a rest in a driftwood construction (see Heron nearby in picture). Did a crossword and suduko to entertain. Looking up, we noticed the sea had almost disappeared to low tide. Now we understand why the water taxi is on the back of a tractor. Tomorrow, we take the water taxi to Torrent Bay and walk back along the coast about 10 miles.Read more
TravelerIt looks like an amazing trip. We arrived in Singapore last night. We will fly into Christchurch on Weds 5 Feb and pick up our campervan on 7th to follow in your footsteps. Xx
2/2/25Reply
TravelerYou will have a great time Pip. Enjoy Singapore. Xx
2/2/25Reply
5 likes
Adventure 2025 Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 23
Monday, February 3, 2025 at 3:20 PM
☁️ 21 °C
Altitude: Sea level
New Zealand The Anchorage -40.94662, 173.04982640°56’48” S 173°2’59” E
Abel Tasman
February 3 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
We started a beautiful walk by taking the water taxi to Torrent Bay. On the way, we had a view of Split Apple Rock and seals on a nearby island.. The tide was out, so we walked across Torrent Bay. We had a swim in Cleopatras Pool, a clear, cold freshwater pool in the bush. We were hurrying on to have lunch and a swim in one of the lovely coves when I fell and broke my wrist badly. Not my finest hour. Since that point, we have been surrounded by the kindness of others. Total strangers (Gabby and her daughter Abbie) walking on the route, helped patch me up, make a sling and organise a boat to return us to our campsite. Rob drove the 1 hour trip to Nelson Hospital, where they put my wrist back together in surgery the next day. Anna, my nurse, gave me so much time, care and attention. I was discharged on Wednesday, and we are enjoying after care with Sue and David Wreathall in their comfortable home in Nelson. Rhiannon and Dylan have invited us to their home in Wellington. Friends Col and Pam have advised on a sensible and less challenging route through North Island. We feel blessed and fortunate for the love and kindness of friends and strangers in our bit of adversity. We are very positive about the holiday still ahead and we can be back on schedule.Read more
TravelerOh no Alison!!! So sorry to hear of your calamity! I’m glad you’re with Sue and David who I’m sure will be looking after you well. Sending you love xxxx
2/5/25Reply
TravelerAre you posting on Finding Penguins Pip? I can't seem to find you. Xx
2/6/25Reply
TravelerThank you Pip. We are being cared for and entertained so well. Great to be in such good hands. Hope your travels are going well. Xx
2/5/25Reply
7 more comments
4 likes
Adventure 2025 Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 25
Wednesday, February 5, 2025 at 5:15 PM
☁️ 20 °C
Altitude: 9 m
New Zealand Nelson Harbour -41.260612, 173.27719541°15’38” S 173°16’38” E
Sue's Tour of Nelson
February 5 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C
I'm discharged and ready to go. Rob rescued me from hospital. We are staying at Sue and David's in a real haven of space and calm. Nice not to be negotiating the van at this point. After lunch, Sue provided a detailed tour of Nelson. Its beaches, mountains harbour seaviews and community all combine to make a beautiful landscape. After a tasty BBQ supper, it was an early night for me.Read more
TravelerWe wish you all the best for a speedy recovery Xx
2/6/25Reply
TravelerThank you Karen. X
2/6/25Reply
Oh you poor thing Alison. Hope the arm is not too uncomfortable and you can both enjoy the rest of your fantastic trip xx [Yvonne]
2/6/25Reply
TravelerThank you Yvonne. We are doing OK. Planning a little less on the go as Rob will be the only driver. He is looking after me well. X
2/6/25Reply
3 likes
Adventure 2025 Traveler
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Day 26
Thursday, February 6, 2025 at 7:31 AM
☀️ 16 °C
Altitude: 8 m
New Zealand Founders Park -41.261653, 173.29654741°15’42” S 173°17’48” E
Waitangi Day in Nelson
February 6 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C
Waitangi Day celebrates the signing of the treaty between settlers and the Maori people 185 years ago. There were many speeches in a Maori language we didn't understand, but there was a wonderful rhythm, expression and some humour in it all. The singing was uplifting. I picked up the wisdom to be "good ancestors" and an understanding that the people of Nelson are keen to create a fair and lasting community for all its people, despite some retrograde steps of national politics. There followed a party atmosphere in the Founders area of Nelson, many different food stalls and families
having fun. We returned to Sue and David's for a quiet afternoon and evening catching up on reading and holiday planning.Read more
TravelerNice description Alison. Really pleased that you are getting out and about. You are irrepressible. I understand that there are conflicting interpretations of some of the wording of the treaty. The settlers maintain that the treaty ‘cedes’ Māori land the Māoris understanding of the wording is that the land is to be ‘shared’. Make of that what you will!
2/6/25Reply
TravelerThey seem to have their own Nigel Farage who is moving to make changes to the treaty. All causing lots of acrimony.
2/6/25Reply
TravelerSounds really interesting. Glad you are having some quieter time as well
2/7/25Reply
3 likes