Top Menu

Navigation

Tag Archives | New Zealand

Political Hot Spot – Wellington

By on 10. April 2008 in New Zealand
The Silver Fern Ball in the Civic Square, North Island, New Zealand

The Silver Fern Ball in the Civic Square, North Island, New Zealand

Visiting New Zealand’s capital turned into a very special experience, for various reasons! First of all, we were invited to stay with Julie and Rob, where we enjoyed each others companies over great food, first class New Zealand wine and discussions touching everything from farming to world politics. We also learned a great deal about New Zealand politics from them. We had met Julie in Bolivia about 6 months ago and kept in touch. She also arranged for us to stay with her parents on a farm in Wanaka, for us city people this was an unforgettable experience. We already wrote about it… Continue Reading →

0

Hopewell

By on 8. April 2008 in New Zealand

Home Far Away From Home In The Marlborough Sounds

Hopewell, probably the best Hostel I ever experienced, Malborough Sounds, South Island, New Zealand

Hopewell, probably the best Hostel I ever experienced, Malborough Sounds, South Island, New Zealand

Of course lots of hostels make this slogan part of their promotion, but here at the Hopewell it is a fact. There is no better place to spend a rainy day on a comfy coach in front of a wood fired stove with a well-groomed cat curled up in your lap. We came here to experience what it is like to stay in the very BBH hostel that had received the best rating in the year 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006 and 2007, a mere 97 to 98%, year permitting. Continue Reading →

0

Darwin’s Nightmare

By on 6. April 2008 in New Zealand
A possum, South Island, New Zealand

A possum, South Island, New Zealand

The movie “Darwin’s Nightmare” dealt with the heavy consequences the introduction of the Nile Perch had on Lake Victoria in Tanzania and eventually on the people of the area. During our trip, we repeatedly have heard about the problems arising from introducing animals and plants not native to a region or country. Usually guides, who conduct tours through a bird sanctuary or nature reserve, bring this issue to the attention of the visiting overseas tourists. Continue Reading →

0

Taking A Brief Holiday In Nelson

By on 5. April 2008 in New Zealand
Along Maitai River in Nelson, South Island, New Zealand

Along Maitai River in Nelson, South Island, New Zealand

We toured the whole South Island in three and a half week and managed to explore all the highlights thoroughly, which meant spending long hours in the car in between – Something every traveller to New Zealand had predicted. Since this country was the first destination we had not prepared a great deal, this had to be done while in the car or reading at night before or after writing our entries for the website. Continue Reading →

0

Frolicking Seal Pups On Breathtaking Wharariki Beach

By on 3. April 2008 in New Zealand

 

Fur Seal Pubs in a Tidal Pool, Wharariki Beach, South Island, New Zealand

Fur Seal Pubs in a Tidal Pool, Wharariki Beach, South Island, New Zealand

Wharariki Beach is something you need to see to believe it. We were totally unprepared for this visual feast, since we had planned to go the opposite way, out to Farewell Spit. This peninsula, a sea of sand dunes, is a popular breeding ground for seabirds and thus can only be accessed with a tour. Luckily we were advised against this six hour trip in an eco-bus (!) that goes all the way to the tip of the peninsula with two little stops in between. So instead, we went to discover the area west of the peninsula on foot, which is so much more scenic. Moreover, it does not cost a penny. Continue Reading →

0

Golden Bay & Abel Tasman National Park

By on 2. April 2008 in New Zealand
Golden beaches in the Abel Tasman National Parc, South Island, New Zealand

Golden beaches in the Abel Tasman National Parc, South Island, New Zealand

The amazing scenery of Golden Bay was matched by our home for two nights, “The Innlet”, a hostel that we highly recommend. It offers different types of accommodation and this time we treated ourselves to a self-contained unit with a bedroom, living-room / kitchen and bathroom, all together for 80 NZ Dollar a night. Continue Reading →

0

Pancakes Rocks & Blowholes In Punakaiki

By on 31. March 2008 in New Zealand
Truman Trail at Sunset, West Coast, South Island, New Zealand

Truman Trail at Sunset, West Coast, South Island, New Zealand

On our way up the west coast, Hokitika, New Zealand’s jade capital, was a must stop-over. Carefree, we toured the shops because having a car makes souvenir hunting so much more irresistible. What will we do with the ever growing box of artwork, jewellery and knickknacks? The latest idea was sending it from Hong Kong to Bangkok, our very last stop before going home, because the costs for sending such a heavy parcel to Europe are frightening.

Continue Reading →

0

New Zealand Farming News

By on 29. March 2008 in New Zealand
"Grand View" Farm: 700 hectares, 3.500 sheep & 250 deer! And Colin is managing the whole alone... South Island, New Zealand

“Grand View” Farm: 700 hectares, 3.500 sheep & 250 deer! And Colin is managing the whole alone… South Island, New Zealand

Among the many interesting things we learned about farming, one blew our mind: New Zealand farmers do not receive any subsidies from their government anymore. Needless to say that they are not happy that these eventually ran out, but for us it was the living proof that the criticism of the European Union’s farming policy is more than justified. Continue Reading →

0

Staying On The Kane Farm In Wanaka

By on 28. March 2008 in New Zealand

 

"Grand View" Farm: 700 hectares, 3.500 sheep & 250 deer! And Colin is managing the whole alone... South Island, New Zealand

“Grand View” Farm: 700 hectares, 3.500 sheep & 250 deer! And Colin is managing the whole alone… South Island, New Zealand

How did we end up staying on a farm with the loveliest family? Way back, when we travelled through Bolivia, we met Julie Kane from New Zealand. She was on that same horror flight to Rurrenabaque at Bolivia’s Amazon basin, which took two attempts and two days to get us there. Continue Reading →

0

Two Hours In Queenstown

By on 27. March 2008 in New Zealand
Queenstown;s scenic backdrop (Remarkable Mountains and Lake Wakatipu), South Island, New Zealand

Queenstown’s scenic backdrop (Remarkable Mountains and Lake Wakatipu), South Island, New Zealand

From what we had heard and read about this small town, it was clear to us that a very short stopover would do, just to see for ourselves what New Zealand’s adrenaline-activity capital was all about… Continue Reading →

0