Adventure 2025

January - March 2025
  • Alison Cooper
A 56-day adventure by Alison Read more
  • Alison Cooper

List of countries

  • Taiwan Taiwan
  • New Zealand New Zealand
  • Singapore Singapore
Categories
None
  • 20.6kkilometers traveled
Means of transport
  • Flight-kilometers
  • Walking-kilometers
  • Hiking-kilometers
  • Bicycle-kilometers
  • Motorbike-kilometers
  • Tuk Tuk-kilometers
  • Car-kilometers
  • Train-kilometers
  • Bus-kilometers
  • Camper-kilometers
  • Caravan-kilometers
  • 4x4-kilometers
  • Swimming-kilometers
  • Paddling/Rowing-kilometers
  • Motorboat-kilometers
  • Sailing-kilometers
  • Houseboat-kilometers
  • Ferry-kilometers
  • Cruise ship-kilometers
  • Horse-kilometers
  • Skiing-kilometers
  • Hitchhiking-kilometers
  • Cable car-kilometers
  • Helicopter-kilometers
  • Barefoot-kilometers
  • 49footprints
  • 56days
  • 557photos
  • 217likes
  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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.
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  • 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 holiday snaps. We enjoyed walking the beach. Rob swam - that's him disappearing into the distance. We had a light lunch before the increasing wind made a return to the house more attractive. We read and rested before an evening of Jazz on the wharf at Mapua. A good dark ale and fish and chips were very welcome. It was a beautifully warm evening surrounded by happy, active families. This is a wonderful lifestyle.Read 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 at Raglan Roast. I'm becoming an expert at blagging my way onto a table and chatting with the locals. It's probably a sympathy element working for me. We went into town to the vibrant craft and food market. Then a cooling paddle on Nelson beach. Rob and David played tennis after lunch. Then, a walk with Sue and Rob up the foot hills behind the house to the Sprig and Fern, another great Ale house. Supper on the terrace, a very tasty lasagne and a sunset. Another fab day.Read 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 a Brazilian band, together with a dancing man and parrot🦜. Well, why not? Then, on to the Styx Bar at the port in Nelson with Mark Mc Kenzie' s 80s music. Sue's delicious stir fry rounded off the evening on the terrace.Read 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. Thank you so much, Sue and David.
    I was expecting a rather average journey to the ferry. Again, the scenery astounded us. We stopped for a stroll at Pelorus Bridge and lunch on Marlborough Sound at Monldrangi, where Rob had a swim. At Picton, we watched our ferry to Wellington depart. Fortunately, we are catching it in the morning. Our DOC campsite at Whatamongo is beautiful, about 30 mins from the ferry. Rob cooked chichen, chorizo peppers and rice for supper. How lucky am I!
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  • 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 Wellington Harbour. We went to Te Papa for the afternoon. The Gallipoli section was overwhelmingly sad. We met the Moa bird, a now extinct gentle giant. We had heard of him in Te Anua and were intrigued. The other monster is pretty gentle too. We stayed with Rhiannon and Dylan, who treated to a great homemade meal and a very comfortable stay. It was great to catch up with their news.Read more