Archive for March, 2009
New Zealand from above
March 20th, 2009
Flying back from our short visit to the south island gave us the chance to see New Zealand from above. After a wet take off from Christchurch we found most of the south island was covered in cloud. As we reached the top of the island the clouds started to clear and we saw Picton and Cook Strait.
As we crossed into the north island the clouds returned but you could just make out Mount Ngauruhoe and Mount Ruapehu. Landing in Auckland the skies cleared and we got a perfect view of the city.
More images available in the gallery HERE
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Buller Swing Bridge and Split Apple Rock
March 20th, 2009
As we drove further north we stopped near Murchison at the Buller swing bridge. The swing bridge is the longest one in New Zealand and crosses the Buller river before leading to a series of nature walks.
We’d be back in the Buller area of Murchison tomorrow with chance to explore the kayaking routes of Murchison so we continued driving up to the beginning of the Abel Tasman national park. As we had visited the area before we decided to try and find Split Apple Rock which was a natural rock split in half. We explored the area and local caves before heading to a campervan site for the night.
More images available in the gallery HERE
Arthurs Pass and Pancake Rocks
March 19th, 2009
After flying into Christchurch the previous evening to meet Jo’s parents we set off through the Arthur’s Pass in the campervan. It was a perfect day for driving with amazing sunshine but just as we got to the start of the pass it started to rain – This led to an amazing micro rainbow forming over a field at the base of the mountains.
We continued through the valley driving straight from Christchurch, on the east coast, to Greymouth, on the west coast, where we picked up Jo’s parents from their Tranz Alpine train journey.
As we drove up the west coast we stopped at Punakaiki to visit the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes.
The rocks were formed 30 million years ago from minute fragments of dead marine creatures and plants landed on the seabed about 2 km below the surface. Immense water pressure caused the fragments to solidify in hard and soft layers. Gradually seismic action lifted the limestone above the seabed. Mildly acidic rain, wind and seawater sculpted the bizarre shapes.
More images available in the gallery HERE
Canyoning Instructing
March 16th, 2009
After spending a day Canyoning at Piha before my Asia travels I contacted AWOL Adventures to see if they would have any instructing work. Fortunately on my return I was given the chance to train up to run trips down the canyon. So after a few more sessions training I should be leading groups down the canyon!
Shakespear National Park & Auckland Luge
March 9th, 2009
Steve and Carly, who we had first met in Borneo, were now in New Zealand so had come to stay with us for a few days. With a sunny day promised they joined us and Jo’s parents on a trip to visit the Shakespear National Park which was about an hours drive north of Auckland. We planned to go to the Auckland luge first but as we set off it started to rain so we headed further up the coast to the Shakespear National Park at the tip of the Whangaparaoa Peninsula.
We set off from the duck pond on the heritage trail which led us to a 360 degree lookout platform. The wind was fairly strong but the views were spectacular – You could see all the way to Auckland city!
As we headed back to the duck pond we switched to the lookout track to head to the giant picture frame. This gave a great view of Okoromai Bay and beyond.
After a couple of hours exploring the park we headed off to the Auckland luge. We had a few close races down the tracks, with several close finishes, before relaxing on the competitive crazy golf course!
More images available in the gallery HERE
Orbit Restaurant and Sky Tower
March 7th, 2009
Since we arrived in Auckland 8 months ago I’ve been meaning to go up the sky tower to see the views of the city but have never got around to it. The Orbit revolving restaurant was recommended to me so I decided to take Jo there for her birthday. Jo’s parents arrived in Auckland that morning so the four of us headed up the sky tower for dinner.
We sat down on the edge of the revolving restaurant at about 6pm. With the restaurant taking about 1.5 hours to travel 360 degrees it was perfect timing to get a good view of the city before sunset. We were very fortunate with the weather (The sky tower was hidden with mist the previous day!) and could see for several miles in all directions.
The meal itself was spectacular with large portions of expertly cooked food. We were slightly disappointed with the fact that the food was so good we ran out of room for pudding though!
As the sunset and we finished our meal we headed down to the observation deck to view the city at night. We then returned to the ground to see the tower lit up in a shade of blue/green.
More images available in the gallery HERE
New Apartment
March 6th, 2009
After nearly 3 months of travelling around South East Asia it was good to finally move into our new apartment the other day. We have 16 weeks left in New Zealand before returning to the UK so needed to find another flat.
After our experiences of flat hunting last time we knew the type of apartment we were after. A quick look around the estate agents led us to a flat on Symonds street. Its about 20minutes walk from town (compared to living right in the centre of the city on Queen street!) but is in an ideal location for us.
With a modern interior and huge rooms we decided to live here as soon as we walked through the door! It has a wall of windows in the main living area, but has two walls of windows in the bedroom. One of these leads to a small balcony with amazing views of the city, sky tower and the harbour!
More images are in the gallery HERE