Beach picnic and Jazz night
February 7 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C
You just can't do justice to the landscape here. The scenery is vast. Rabbit Island is a wide beach and sand dune fringed but not enclosed by two mountain ranges. All we have managed here is holidayRead more
Sunny Saturday in Nelson
February 8 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
We woke to beautiful blue skies. Rob and David ran the parkrun. 8. 00am start! The mayor of Nelson, Nick Smith, was lucky enough to have his photo taken with Rob. Sue and I had the best coffee atRead more
Chilled Music in Nelson.
February 9 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌙 20 °C
A day of relaxation and good music. Starting with Sue's Community Chuch, featuring a worship band and a message on thankfulness and prayer. We were back in Founders Park in the afternoon for aRead more
Malborough Sound and Picton
February 10 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C
We were sad to leave Sue and David this morning. They have made us so welcome and really aided my recovery. Lots of healthy meals, rest, and just the right level of exercise and entertainment. ThankRead more
Picton to Wellington
February 11 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C
We left the campsite before daybreak to catch the Picton to Wellington ferry. A grey and chilly day, but we still stayed on deck to enjoy the views of Malborough Sound and coming into WellingtonRead more
Wellington and Weta workshop
February 12 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌙 13 °C
Had a nice breakfast at Rhiannon, Dylan and Bryn's. ( the latter being their retired Greyhound). We then went to Weta Workshops where most of the weapons and actors masks etc were made for the Lord ofRead more
Lake Taupo
February 13 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C
A long day of driving to Lake Taupo with great views all the way. We rerouted to Highway 4 because Highway 1 is closed for a few months. The region around the waterfall was a geological mystery to me.Read more
Lake Ohakuri
Feb 14–16 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C
A short walk above lake Taupo and a swim before setting off for the next campsite. Stopped off at Huka Falls on the way. The next stop was very remote and had kayaking, natural hot pools lovely walksRead more
Rotorua
February 16 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C
A visit to Te Puia in Rotorua was worthwhile for views of the geysers, mud pools and fumeroles. Also learnt of the Maori stone and wood carving and flax weaving. A quick walk to Lake Rotorua near theRead more
Tauranga
Feb 17–18 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌧 20 °C
Tauranga was wet and windy on Monday with spectacular seas as we circuited the base of Mount Maunganui. The purpose of the trip was to have my wrist checked out in the hospital. All is going well, andRead more
Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach
February 19 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C
We started at Shakespeare's Cliff, looking into Cooks Beach, where he viewed the transit of Mercury across the sun as a means of firmly identifying the longitude at this point. Every day is a schoolRead more
Cooks Beach to Whangamata
February 20 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
A final walk and paddle on Cooks Beach before setting off. (First 2 photos). We walked through a pine forest to Opoutere beach, eating our picnic lunch in the shade of the trees. Rob had a swimRead more
Whangamata with Pamo and Col.
February 21 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
An early start for a walk on the extensive beach at Whangamata. Very wise as the sun soon heated everything up. Its harbour area was very sheltered and the beach has an estuary at both ends. TreeRead more
Uretiti
February 22 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
Saturday started with Rob doing Whangamata parkrun which only had about 70 runners and he came 28th. It was hard work as 90% on soft grass. We then sadly hugged farewell to Pam and Col, who had lookedRead more
Bay of Islands Day 1
February 23 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
Our early start from Uretiti gave us a full day in the Bay of Islands. We visited the Treaty Grounds at Waitangi. A well organised and informative tour. There are so many views and interpretations onRead more
Bay of Island Day 2
February 24 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
A breakfast with sunrise at our campsite in Paihia. It was a stunning day for our Bay of Islands boat cruise. This included a trip out to the Hole in the Rock island, sight of two bottle nosedRead more
Auckland for a rest!
Feb 25–27 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C
The toilets of Kawakawa. Something (but I'm not sure what) to behold. We travelled to Auckland down the west coast in one long morning. Finally, and for half an hour, we caught up with Laurie and Ava.Read more
Kaohsiung Taiwan
Feb 28–Mar 2 in Taiwan ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C
A long day of travel brought us to Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan to visit David, Rena, and Rena's parents, Eugene and Maria. On Saturday, Eugene very kindly drove us to a Buddhist temple on theRead more
Sunday day trip
Mar 2–8 in Taiwan ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C
Maria and Eugene took us all to visit Tainan, the city where Rena was born. The Dutch East India Company built a fort here in the 1630s. More recently, it became a school. The cinema is a very old oneRead more
Southwest Coast Taiwan
March 3 in Taiwan ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
Maria drove us down the southwest coast. After a lunch stop, we visited a cocoa farm. We had a very interesting demonstration of cocoa production, expertly interpreted by Rena. Taiwan produces veryRead more
South East Taiwan
March 4 in Taiwan ⋅ 🌧 25 °C
An early start past what looked like the setting of 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' and into Kening National Park with botanical and geological interest. (Volcanic and limestone) There were greatRead more
Rice Fields and Tea Experience
March 5 in Taiwan ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C
A day of many experiences. New landscapes, much laughter, learning and relaxation. After a cup of coffee among the "straw" animals ( amonsgst which I found my Penguin!), we moved on and picked up ourRead more
Returning to Kaohsiung
March 6 in Taiwan ⋅ 🌧 15 °C
We left the peace and serenity of the Royal Spa Hotel. The Museum of Pre History at Taitung informed and entertained us before our journey back to Kaohsiung. We had a tasty and entertaining sushi mealRead more
Taipei, our last day
March 7 in Taiwan ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C
Our final day in Taiwan, in the capital Taipei. It was great to share the time with Maria. We took the MTR and bus to the Palace Museum. It contains many Chinese treasures, There were loads ofRead more






















































































































































































































































































































TravelerI knew you'd have a jazzy sling to match before too long! Xx
TravelerSounds like a perfect day x
Traveler
Great photo