<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> <html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head> <meta content="text/html; charset=unicode" http-equiv="Content-Type"><title>New Zealand</title> </head> <body lang="EN-US"> <table border="1" cellpadding="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <div style="text-align: center;"><img src="../NZ_CoatofArms.png" height="227" width="222"><br> </div> <p><br> The coat of arms for New Zealand: three ships representing the importance of sea trade, and the immigrant nature of all New Zealanders, the stars of the constellation Crux of the Southern Cross, a lamb fleece representing farming, a sheaf of wheat representing farming, mining tools. On the left the European woman carries the flag of New Zealand and on the right is a Maori Warrior holding a Taiaha (Fighting weapon) and wearing a Kaitaka (flax cloak). </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><img src="../NZ_Flag.jpg" height="183" width="275"></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 18pt;">New Zealand</span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><big style="font-weight: bold;">Kia Ora (Welcome)</big></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"> <h3 style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Wellington, </span></b></h3> <h3 style="text-align: center;" align="center">&nbsp;</h3> <h3 style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">9 January 2015 - 12 January</span></b></h3> <h3 style="text-align: center;" align="center">&nbsp;</h3> <h3 style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">17 January - January 18</span></b></h3> <h3 style="text-align: center;" align="center">&nbsp;</h3> <h3 style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">and 24 January - January 25</span></b></h3> <h3 style="text-align: center;" align="center">&nbsp;</h3> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img style="width: 475px; height: 315px;" src="Wellly_skyline01.jpg" alt="Skyline" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_124" hspace="12"></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><big>The skyline of Wellington as seen from our room at Travelodge Wellington.</big></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img style="width: 475px; height: 315px;" src="Welly_Harbour01.jpg" alt="Harbour" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_123" hspace="12"></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><big>The city and waterfront from the top of the cable car rising to the top of the hill on the north side of the city.</big></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img src="../Iphone/1385_wellie_21.jpg" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_155" align="left" height="640" hspace="12" width="480"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><big>Cathedral on the walk from our hotel to Cuba Street.&nbsp; The hot dining and café district of Wellington is on Cuba Street. We did go there for dinner one evening. Although the different establishments all had patrons, most of the dinner traffic was done by 8 PM or so.</big></span></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;<img style="width: 640px; height: 480px;" alt="" src="../Iphone/1380_wellie_16.jpg" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_156" hspace="12"></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><big>Overlooking the east-west highway on the north side of Wellington.&nbsp; Just seemed to me to be a pretty vista among city highways that I have known.</big></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><img id="_x0000_i1164" src="../Iphone/1391_wellie_27.jpg" height="480" width="640"></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">&nbsp;<big>This is the train station in Wellington.&nbsp; It is the terminal for local buses, trolleys and inter-city trains. From what we have seen the Kiwis and the Ozzies take great pride in their rail infrastructure.</big></span></p> </td> <td>&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="../Iphone/1511_StPaul_01.jpg" alt=""><big>Read all about this cathedral in the frame on the right. &nbsp;Although we did not go inside the newer cathedral closer to the Parliament buildings we did walk past. &nbsp;The newer cathedral does not have the charm of the old one pictured here.</big></td> <td><img src="../Iphone/1512_StPaul_02.jpg" alt=""></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" rowspan="1"><big>Four views of the interior of old St. Paul's. While we were there some caterers were getting organized for a wedding.</big></td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="../Iphone/1513_StPaul_03.jpg" alt=""></td> <td><img src="../Iphone/1515_StPaul_04.jpg" alt=""></td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="../Iphone/1516_StPaul_05.jpg" alt=""></td> <td><img src="../Iphone/1517_StPaul_06.jpg" alt=""></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><big><span style="font-weight: bold;">City Art:</span></big> Every &nbsp;city around the world has its wall mural art and sculpture. &nbsp;Philadelphia is one of the greatest cities for such street murals, although its public sculpture is not as widespreade as that in Wellington and is certainly not as contemporary. </span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1163" src="Welly_wall_art01.jpg" height="426" width="640"></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1162" src="Welly_Wall_art02.jpg" height="426" width="640"></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1161" src="../Iphone/1365_wellie_01.jpg" height="640" width="480"></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><big>This fellow and his dog are on Plimmer Alley which connects the Travelodge to one of the main shopping streets in Wellington.</big></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1160" src="../Iphone/1366_wellie_02.jpg" height="640" width="480"></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><big>Wellington is an active seaport, but they have done a lot to make the old commercial wharf area into a pedestrian zone and park area. These sea urchin shells are quite entertaining. That is Diana in the background to give some idea of how big they are.</big></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1159" src="../Iphone/1367_wellie_03.jpg" height="640" width="480"></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1158" src="../Iphone/1368_wellie_04.jpg" height="640" width="480"></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><big>The Maori heritage is everywhere, in stark contrast to the role of the aboriginals in Australian society. Perhaps because they have a single language throughout New Zealand the Maori have their won TV station. In Australia there are so many small language groups that such an effort would be impracticable.</big></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1157" src="../Iphone/1371_wellie_07.jpg" height="480" width="640"></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1156" src="../Iphone/1370_wellie_06.jpg" height="480" width="640"></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1155" src="../Iphone/1384_wellie_20.jpg" height="640" width="480"></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><big>There is a message in the cut out letters but I was not patient enough to try to read it.</big></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><img id="_x0000_i1154" src="../Iphone/1390_wellie_26.jpg" height="640" width="480"></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"> <h2 style="text-align: center;" align="center"><strong>&nbsp; Waterfront Views</strong></h2> </td> </tr> <tr> <td>&nbsp;</td> <td>&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1153" src="../Iphone/1373_wellie_09.jpg" height="480" width="640"></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><big>This is the view of the harbor looking down the length of the cable car track.</big></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img src="../Iphone/1369_wellie_05.jpg" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_140" align="left" height="480" hspace="12" width="640"><span>&nbsp;</span><big>Yes, it is a working piano, though woefully out of tune.&nbsp; In tune or not, once it has been wheeled out by the groundskeeper for the waterfront park it doesn t take long before someone stops to plink out a tune or two.</big></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><big>At the Botanical Gardens</big></span></b></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img src="../Iphone/1377_wellie_13.jpg" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_139" align="left" height="640" hspace="12" width="480"><span>&nbsp;</span><big>We spent a <span class="SpellE">couple</span> of hours walking through the botanical gardens.&nbsp; These gardens are among the most meticulously maintained of the many that Diana and I have toured together.&nbsp; Only the UC-Berkeley gardens have great breadth and depth. These are just a few of the blooms that I especially liked.</big></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1152" src="../Iphone/1378_wellie_14.jpg" height="480" width="640"></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1151" src="../Iphone/1379_wellie_15.jpg" height="480" width="640"></p> </td> <td>The day we were in the gardens there was a wedding just getting underway. &nbsp;Seems like we were in Wellington for the wedding season.</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"> <h2 style="text-align: center;" align="center"><strong>Parliament District of Wellington</strong></h2> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img src="../Iphone/1381_wellie_17.jpg" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_133" align="left" height="640" hspace="12" width="480"><span>&nbsp;</span><big>The beehive, as it is known, is purported to have been sketched on the back of a napkin during a pint or two at a local pub.</big></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img src="../Iphone/1382_wellie_18.jpg" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_132" align="left" height="480" hspace="12" width="640"><span>&nbsp;</span><big>Outside the parliament there are some sculptures in the gardens.&nbsp; These are just a few of the more interesting pieces.</big></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1150" src="../Iphone/1383_wellie_19.jpg" height="480" width="640"></p> </td> <td>&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td>&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"> <h2 style="text-align: center;" align="center">&nbsp;</h2> <h2 style="text-align: center;" align="center">Museum of New Zealand -- <span class="SpellE">Te</span> Papa <span class="SpellE">Tongarewa</span></h2> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1149" src="../Iphone/1386_wellie_22.jpg" height="640" width="480"></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1148" src="../Iphone/1389_wellie_25.jpg" height="640" width="480"></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1147" src="../Iphone/1387_wellie_23.jpg" height="640" width="480"></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1146" src="../Iphone/1388_wellie_24.jpg" height="640" width="480"></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" rowspan="1"> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;<big>The Maori exhibit at Te Papa is very nice, but limited in scope. &nbsp;It only covers the period from about 1850 through the beginning of the 20th century. To the credit of the curators there is a fair amount of material documenting the ways in which the colonial government made it possible for the Europeans to dispossess the Maori of their ancestral lands.</big></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td>&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"> <h2 style="text-align: center;" align="center"><strong>Trolley Museum </strong></h2> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1145" src="Welly_trolley01.jpg" height="426" width="640"></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1144" src="../Iphone/1376_wellie_12.jpg" height="480" width="640"></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1143" src="../Iphone/1375_wellie_11.jpg" height="480" width="640"></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1142" src="../Iphone/1374_wellie_10.jpg" height="640" width="480"></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1141" src="../Iphone/1372_wellie_08.jpg" height="480" width="640"></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1140" src="Welly_trolley02.jpg" height="426" width="640"></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;<big>The trolley line was first built when the city residential district expanded up the hillside.&nbsp; The original cars ran for many decades and were replaced only when it was deemed that there could be safer models put on the line.&nbsp; In the modern era there are now additional lines that serve only their <span class="GramE">owners'</span> private homes.</big></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td>&nbsp;</td> <td>&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"> <p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span class="SpellE"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Taupo</span></b></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">12 January - 13 January</span></b></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;<img id="_x0000_i1139" src="../Iphone/1392_woolshed_01.jpg" height="640" width="480"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><big>On the way from Wellington to <span class="SpellE">Taupo</span> we stopped at the Woolshed Café for lunch.&nbsp; The café had a variety of sculptures in the garden.&nbsp; This sculpture is a Moa bird.&nbsp; The Maori hunted these large, slow moving Moa to extinction before the Europeans arrived.</big></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img src="../Iphone/1393_woolshed_02.jpg" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_119" align="left" height="640" hspace="12" width="480"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">&nbsp;<big>We never sighted a Kiwi bird in the flesh, so this sculpture will have to do. The Kiwi is a strange nocturnal animal that falls somewhere between a bird and a land animal.&nbsp; It has no wings or tail, but has other physical attributes of a bird.</big> </span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;<img id="_x0000_i1138" src="../Iphone/1394_woolshed_03.jpg" height="640" width="480"> </p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img src="../Iphone/1395_Taupo_01.jpg" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_117" align="left" height="640" hspace="12" width="480"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">&nbsp;<big><big>Outside <span class="SpellE">Taupo</span> we stopped to visit Huka Falls.&nbsp; These are at the headwaters of the longest river on the north island. The Waikato River flows all the way up to the southern outskirts of Auckland. These rapids flow too fast to venture through them in a kayak or other boat.</big></big> </span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><img id="_x0000_i1137" src="../Iphone/1396_Taupo_02.jpg" height="640" width="480"></span></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><img id="_x0000_i1136" src="../Iphone/1397_Taupo_03.jpg" height="480" width="640"></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><img id="_x0000_i1135" src="../Iphone/1398_Taupo_04.jpg" height="640" width="480"></span></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img src="../Iphone/1399_Taupo_05.jpg" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_113" align="left" height="640" hspace="12" width="480"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">&nbsp;<big><big>Someone wove this flower bloom into the fronds of a palm by the trailside near the Falls.</big></big></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><img id="_x0000_i1134" src="../Iphone/1400_Taupo_06.jpg" height="640" width="480"></span></p> </td> <td>&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr> <td>&nbsp;</td> <td>&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Craters of the Moon</span></b></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1133" src="Craters_Mud.gif" alt="Craters" height="240" width="360"></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><big>The Craters of the Moon is a geothermal park outside <span class="SpellE">Taupo</span>.&nbsp; There are many steam vents and bubbling pools of mud. Although I don t have a picture of it, there is a geothermal electric power station peeking just over the hills that surround the park. In the area around the park and near the falls shown in the previous photos you can see the discretely located insulation wrapped steam pipes.</big></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1132" src="Craters-of-Moon01.jpg" height="426" width="640"></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1131" src="Craters-of-Moon02.jpg" height="426" width="640"></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1130" src="Craters-of-Moon03.jpg" height="426" width="640"></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1129" src="Craters-of-Moon04.jpg" height="426" width="640"></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><img id="_x0000_i1128" src="../Iphone/1405_Craters_05.jpg" height="480" width="640"></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><img id="_x0000_i1127" src="../Iphone/1406_Craters_06.jpg" height="480" width="640"></span></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img src="../Iphone/1407_Craters_07.jpg" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_104" align="left" height="480" hspace="12" width="640"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">&nbsp;Along the west coast to the west and south of <span class="SpellE">Taupo</span> lie several mountains that loom large in the creation story that the Maori tell about the beginnings of New Zealand.&nbsp; The Maori came to New Zealand from Polynesia only about 700 years ago, whereas the <span class="GramE">details of their creation story pre-dates</span> their arrival by millennia. </span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" rowspan="1"> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">&nbsp;<big>The Craters of the Moon Charitable Trust was organized in 1991 to make the area more secure and accessible. There is a wooden boardwalk trail throughout the vents and mud pools. As an active area there have been occasional eruptions spreading mud and pumice over the surrounding area near the craters. Eruptions occur when steam passages become blocked by mud.</big> </span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"> <p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><big><span class="SpellE"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Rotorua</span></b></span></big></p> <p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><big>13 January - 16 January</big></span></b></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal">The city of Rotorua is built on the edge of a lake. At the water's edge there are signs warning one to stay clear of the black swans as they can be quite aggressive. Around the area of the lake there were various sub-tribes of Maori, so of course there are Romeo and Juliet type stories as part of their oral tradition. Our time in Rotorua is not arranged chronologically, but along the lines of major activities: Te Puia, Waitomo and Hobbiton.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1126" src="Roto_Lake.jpg" height="426" width="640"></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;<img style="width: 640px; height: 480px;" alt="Black Swans" src="NewZealand_files/image002.jpg" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_122"></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1124" src="Roto_Museum.jpg" height="426" width="640"></p> </td> <td><big>The Rotorua Museum, at left, is quite extensive for a town of its size.</big><br> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" rowspan="1"><big>At the edge of town near the lake and in a geothermally active area their is a Maori neighborhood. The two photos below are pictures of that area.</big></td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="../Iphone/1451_Roto_03.jpg" alt=""></td> <td><img src="../Iphone/1452_Roto_04.jpg" alt=""></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" rowspan="1"><big>The botanical gardens stretch from the museum to the edge of the city. Nearly every city and town of any size in New Zealnd has its botancial gardens.&nbsp;</big></td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="../Iphone/1453_Roto_05.jpg" alt=""></td> <td><img src="../Iphone/1454_Roto_06.jpg" alt=""></td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="../Iphone/1459_Roto_11.jpg" alt=""></td> <td><img src="../Iphone/1456_Roto_08.jpg" alt=""></td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="../Iphone/1457_Roto_09.jpg" alt=""></td> <td><img src="../Iphone/1458_Roto_10.jpg" alt=""></td> </tr> <tr> <td>&nbsp;</td> <td>&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span class="SpellE"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Te</span></b></span><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> <span class="SpellE">Puia</span> -- Maori Educational and Crafts Center</span></b></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" rowspan="1"><big>Typically the Maori settled in areas with fresh water springs or creeks and where there was geothermal activity. The hot waters of the geothermal zone could be used for such mundane purposes as cooking their food. There is a Maori neighborhood on the edge of the educational and crafts center, but it is not really open to the public. The Center is located in an area used by the Maori for many generations. The educational and crafts component of the 'park' consists of teaching the traditional skills of wood carving and weaving. &nbsp;The classes are only open to people of Maori descent. The first pictures below are of the active geyser: Pohutu Geyser. &nbsp;It is not as regular as 'Old Faithful' in the US so we were lucky to be there at just the right time. If you go, take the guided tour.</big></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1123" src="Roto_Geyser01.jpg" height="426" width="640"></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1122" src="Roto_Geyser02.jpg" height="426" width="640"></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1121" src="Roto_Geyser03.jpg" height="426" width="640"></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1120" src="Roto_tepuia01.jpg" height="640" width="426"></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td><img id="_x0000_i1117" src="Roto_tepuia05.jpg" height="640" width="426"></td> <td><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><img id="_x0000_i1110" src="../Iphone/1410_TePuia_03.jpg" height="640" width="480"></span></td> </tr> <tr> <td><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><img id="_x0000_i1109" src="../Iphone/1412_TePuia_05.jpg" height="480" width="640"></span></td> <td><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><img id="_x0000_i1106" src="../Iphone/1413_TePuia_06.jpg" height="480" width="640"></span></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1119" src="Roto_tepuia02.jpg" height="640" width="426"></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1118" src="Roto_tepuia03.jpg" height="640" width="426"></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" rowspan="1"><big>Fore and aft pictures of a traditional war canoe. This is a replica of one used by one used by a local chief when his tribe first came to the region.</big></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1114" src="Roto_tepuia_dress.jpg" height="640" width="426"></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1116" src="Roto_tepuia04.jpg" height="640" width="426"></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><big>The surrounding photos are the product of Te Rito, he national weaving school.</big></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1113" src="Roto_tepuia_weave.jpg" height="426" width="640"></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1115" src="Roto_tepuia_101.jpg" height="426" width="640"></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;<img src="../Iphone/1450_Roto_02.jpg" alt=""></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Te Aronui a Rua -- Meeting house. </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td><big>The carvings in the photos are the product of Te Wananga Rakau, the national carving school.</big><br> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><img id="_x0000_i1112" src="../Iphone/1408_TePuia_01.jpg" height="480" width="640"></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><img id="_x0000_i1105" src="../Iphone/1414_TePuia_07.jpg" height="640" width="480"></span></td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><img id="_x0000_i1104" src="../Iphone/1415_TePuia_08.jpg" height="480" width="640"></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><img id="_x0000_i1103" src="../Iphone/1417_TePuia_10.jpg" height="640" width="480"></span></td> <td><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><img id="_x0000_i1099" src="../Iphone/1421_TePuia_14.jpg" height="640" width="480"></span></td> </tr> <tr> <td><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><img id="_x0000_i1100" src="../Iphone/1422_TePuia_15.jpg" height="640" width="480"></span></td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><img id="_x0000_i1098" src="../Iphone/1423_TePuia_16.jpg" height="640" width="480"></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><img id="_x0000_i1101" src="../Iphone/1420_TePuia_13.jpg" height="640" width="480"></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><big>In this pair of photos I am posing for one of the carved statues based on the war dance. Hapa Haka, used by the Maori to scare their enemies. At one time the national rugby team used the dance before a game. It was discontinued when the Maori said that it was disrespectful. I am standing in front of one of the huts in Pikirangi Village. Sometimes they do renactments, but not the day we were there.</big></p> </td> <td><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><img id="_x0000_i1102" src="../Iphone/1419_TePuia_12.jpg" height="640" width="480"></span></td> </tr> <tr> <td>&nbsp;</td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><img id="_x0000_i1097" src="../Iphone/1424_TePuia_16.jpg" height="640" width="480"></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td>&nbsp;</td> <td>&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span class="SpellE"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Waitomo</span></b></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" rowspan="1"><big>When Diana was a little kid there was a TV animated serial entitled Rocket Power. This was one of her favorite shows. The lead characters were little kids being raised on a California beach by their father. A made for TV movie was spun out of the series. In the movie the kids went to New Zealand to compete in a series of events related to their lives at home: surfing, skateboarding, kayaking, etc. In one of the events the kids had to raft through the glow worm caves at Waitomo. Accordingly, Diana insisted that we had to visit the caves on our trip to New Zealand. Along the way on our walking tour we stopped to visit the eels in one of the streams coursing through the cave. </big></td> </tr> <tr> <td><img id="_x0000_i1089" src="Spellbound%20Spirit%20Cave%20entrance.jpg" height="355" width="475"></td> <td><img id="_x0000_i1095" src="Spellbound%20Cave%20of%20the%20Spirit.jpg" height="316" width="475"></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1096" src="Spellbound%20a%20closer%20look%20at%20glowworms.jpg" height="335" width="475"></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img src="../Iphone/1465_Waitomo_06.jpg" alt=""></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="../Iphone/1466_Waitomo_07.jpg" alt=""></td> <td><img src="../Iphone/1467_Waitomo_08.jpg" alt=""></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1094" src="Spellbound%20Glowworms%20at%20end%20of%20cave.jpg" height="316" width="475"></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1093" src="Spellbound%20glowworm%20threads.jpg" height="325" width="475"></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td><img id="_x0000_i1092" src="Spellbound%20light%20show.jpg" height="315" width="475"><br> <br> <big>The glow worms are not actually worms. &nbsp;They are fly larvae. &nbsp;The flies enter the cave and lay their eggs onthe ceiling. The larvae spin sticky dangling threads. When there is a disturbance in the cave the larvae glow to attract their dinner, new flies entering the cave. The bugs get stuck in the threads and the larvae reel them in. The effect of all the glowing larvae on the ceiling rivals the number of stars in the sky on a moonless night at sea.</big></td> <td><img id="_x0000_i1090" src="Spellbound%27s%20red%20raft%20and%20glowworms.jpg" height="640" width="475"></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><big>The area around Waitomo is limestone with a lot of running water undrground. The result is what we know as sink holes. Sometimes animals fall into the sinkholes and cannot find their way out, like the cow at the right. Archaelogists and spelunkers have also found Moa fossils.</big></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1091" src="Spellbound%20Moa%20bones.jpg" height="316" width="475"></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img src="../Iphone/1460_Waitomo_01.jpg" alt=""></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img src="../Iphone/1462_Waitomo_03.jpg" alt=""></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><big>An eel in the stream feeding the caves, up close and personal.</big></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;<img src="../Iphone/1470_Waitomo_11.jpg" alt=""></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;<img src="../Iphone/1463_Waitomo_04.jpg" alt=""></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="../Iphone/1464_Waitomo_05.jpg" alt=""></td> <td><big>Besides the larvae producing the glow worm phenomenon there are spiders living in the caves.</big><br> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;<img src="../Iphone/1472_Waitomo_13.jpg" alt=""></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;<img src="../Iphone/1473_Waitomo_14.jpg" alt=""></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="../Iphone/1477_Waitomo_18.jpg" alt=""></td> <td><img src="../Iphone/1478_Waitomo_19.jpg" alt=""></td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="../Iphone/1480_Waitomo_21.jpg" alt=""></td> <td><img src="../Iphone/1483_Waitomo_22.jpg" alt=""></td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="../Iphone/1484_Waitomo_23.jpg" alt=""></td> <td><img src="../Iphone/1487_Waitomo_24.jpg" alt=""></td> </tr> <tr> <td>&nbsp;</td> <td>&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span class="SpellE"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Hobbiton</span></b></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" rowspan="1"><big>The other destination on Diana's 'must do' list was a visit to the site of the Hobbit village featured in Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit trilogy. On the grounds of the set there are over thirty Hobbit dwellings. Each of them is constructed to mimic a different theme. </big> <p>Hobbiton: constructed for the filming of The Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies. Peter Jackson had the crews construct 44 themed Hobbit homes. Not all of them made it into the movies, but it was necessary to build them just in case. In order to get the tree on top of Bilbo Baggins' home Bag End, as in the novel, Jackson had an artificial tree built then had the crew wire on 200,000 leaves. The novel also called for a deciduous tree on the party grounds. The tree growing on the site is conifer so Jackson had all the needles stripped off and artificial leaves wired on. When the leaves faded before filming began he had them all removed and rewired. Genius? Madness? It's a fine line.</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1088" src="Hobbit_AJB.jpg" height="426" width="640"></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1087" src="Hobbit_blue.jpg" height="426" width="640"></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1083" src="Hobbit_theme.jpg" height="426" width="640"></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1085" src="Hobbit_Dragon.jpg" height="480" width="640"></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1082" src="Hobbit_work.jpg" height="426" width="640"></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img src="../Iphone/1426_Hobbit_01.jpg" alt=""></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1080" src="Hobbiton02.jpg" height="640" width="426"></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;<img src="../Iphone/1438_Hobbit_13.jpg" alt=""></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;<img src="../Iphone/1427_Hobbit_02.jpg" alt=""></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;<img src="../Iphone/1428_hobbit_03.jpg" alt=""></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;<img src="../Iphone/1429_Hobbit_04.jpg" alt=""></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;<img src="../Iphone/1430_Hobbit_05.jpg" alt=""></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;<img src="../Iphone/1431_Hobbit_06.jpg" alt=""></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;<img src="../Iphone/1432_Hobbit_07.jpg" alt=""></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;<img src="../Iphone/1433_Hobbit_08.jpg" alt=""></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;<img src="../Iphone/1434_Hobbit_09.jpg" alt=""></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="../Iphone/1436_Hobbit_11.jpg" alt=""></td> <td><img src="../Iphone/1437_Hobbit_12.jpg" alt=""></td> </tr> <tr> <td><br> </td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="../Iphone/1440_Hobbit_15.jpg" alt=""></td> <td><img src="../Iphone/1439_Hobbit_14.jpg" alt=""></td> </tr> <tr> <td><img id="_x0000_i1086" src="Hobbit_dragon_Inn.jpg" height="426" width="640"></td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;<img src="../Iphone/1443_Hobbit_18.jpg" alt=""></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="../Iphone/1444_Hobbit_19.jpg" alt=""></td> <td><img src="../Iphone/1445_Hobbit_20.jpg" alt=""></td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="../Iphone/1446_Hobbit_21.jpg" alt=""></td> <td><img src="../Iphone/1447_Hobbit_22.jpg" alt=""></td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="../Iphone/1448_Hobbit_23.jpg" alt=""></td> <td><img src="../Iphone/1449_Hobbit_24.jpg" alt=""></td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="../Iphone/1442_Hobbit_17.jpg" alt=""></td> <td><img id="_x0000_i1084" src="Hobbit_mill_boat.jpg" height="426" width="640"></td> </tr> <tr> <td>&nbsp;</td> <td>&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr> <td>&nbsp;</td> <td>&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"> <div style="text-align: center;"><br> <br> <big style="font-weight: bold;">Napier </big><br> <br> <img src="../Iphone/1501_Napier_10.jpg" alt=""></div> <p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br> </span></b></p> <p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">16 January - 17 January</span></b></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" rowspan="1"><big>Napier was destroyed by an earthquake in February 1931. &nbsp;Those buildings not brought down by the quake later burned. 157 people died. Immediately the citizens of the city began to plan for the rebuild. &nbsp;Within two years much of the city had been rebuilt in the Art Deco style. A fairly small number of architects were involved in the designs and their individuality can be seen, as well as theinfluence of those with whom they studied or who they admired. If you go stop at the visitor center and buy the booklet for a self guided walking tour of the city. In the intervening years the city leaders have worked hard to keep the buildings preserved and protected form the wrecking ball. &nbsp;The impact of all this Art Deco is much more impressive here than in Miami Beach. All the buildings pictured below are in a neighborhood about 4 x 6 blocks.</big></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;<img src="../Iphone/1491_Napier_01.jpg" alt=""></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;<img src="../Iphone/1492_Napier_02.jpg" alt=""></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="../Iphone/1493_Napier_03.jpg" alt=""></td> <td><img src="../Iphone/1494_Napier_04.jpg" alt=""></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img src="../Iphone/1505_Napier_14.jpg" alt=""></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;<img src="../Iphone/1495_Napier_05.jpg" alt=""></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="../Iphone/1496_Napier_06.jpg" alt=""></td> <td><img src="../Iphone/1497_Napier_07.jpg" alt=""></td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="../Iphone/1499_Napier_08.jpg" alt=""></td> <td><img src="../Iphone/1502_Napier_11.jpg" alt=""></td> </tr> <tr> <td><br> </td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="../Iphone/1503_Napier_12.jpg" alt=""></td> <td><img src="../Iphone/1504_Napier_13.jpg" alt=""></td> </tr> <tr> <td><big>On the right is a typical 'flat white' cup of coffee. &nbsp;Every cafe has an espresso machine and makes fancy designs in their latte.</big></td> <td><img src="../Iphone/1500_Napier_09.jpg" alt=""></td> </tr> <tr align="center"> <td colspan="2" rowspan="1"><big><bold>Westshore Campground Complex -</bold></big> This place is featured because it was so unique among the places we stayed. &nbsp;It was an RV park, with a tent ground and a small number of little cottages. We rented one of the latter.</td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="../Iphone/1506_westshore_01.jpg" alt=""></td> <td><img src="../Iphone/1507_Westshore_01a.jpg" alt=""></td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="../Iphone/1508_Westshore_01b.jpg" alt=""></td> <td><img src="../Iphone/1509_Westshore_02.jpg" alt=""></td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="../Iphone/1510_Westshore_03.jpg" alt=""></td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" rowspan="1"><big>We took the Bluebridge Ferry from Wellington on the North Island to Picton on the South Island. &nbsp;The Wellington Harbor is actually quite open. &nbsp;Picton, on the other hand, is reached after a long run down the Marlborough Sounds.</big></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"> <p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span class="SpellE"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Picton</span></b></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">18 January - 19 January</span></b></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" rowspan="1"><big>Picton is a cute little town with a deep water harbor. Not only does the ferry come in here, but interisland cargo ships come in here as well. &nbsp;There are several good restaurants. The whaling museum recounts the history of the industry, but the real focus is efforts to preserve the whales.</big></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1078" src="PictonHarbour01.jpg" height="426" width="640"></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1075" src="../Iphone/1522_Picton_03.jpg" height="480" width="640"></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1076" src="../Iphone/1521_Picton_02.jpg" height="480" width="640"></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1074" src="../Iphone/1523_Picton_04.jpg" height="480" width="640"></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img src="../Iphone/1518_MarlboroughSound_01.jpg" alt=""></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1073" src="../Iphone/1525_Picton_05.jpg" height="480" width="640"></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td><big>The ownership of specific VHF channels differs from practice in the US. In the US and Canada certain channels are restricted to use by certain kinds of vessels, but the channels are not owned.</big><br> </td> <td><img src="../Iphone/1519_MarlboroughSound_02.jpg" alt=""></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span class="SpellE"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Buller</span></b></span><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> Gorge</span></b></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" rowspan="1"><big>Buller Gorge is of interest for several reasons. It sports the longest swing bridge in New Zealand. &nbsp;By the river gorge it is possible to see where the rock face was lifted 15 feet by and earthquake. Lastly, there was gold in them thar hills.</big></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1063" src="../Iphone/1536_BullerGorge_09.jpg" height="480" width="640"><big>The swing bridge. &nbsp;These contraptions have been featured in an Indiana Jones movie and in one of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. In the photo at the right you can see the zip line that you can ride for a fee</big>.</p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1071" src="../Iphone/1528_BullerGorge_01.jpg" height="640" width="480"></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1070" src="../Iphone/1529_Buller%20Gorge_02.jpg" height="640" width="480"></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1069" src="../Iphone/1530_BullerGorge_03.jpg" height="480" width="640"></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1068" src="../Iphone/1532_BullerGorge_05.jpg" height="640" width="480"></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1067" src="../Iphone/1531_BullerGorge_04.jpg" height="640" width="480"></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><big>On the other side of the river you can see the fault line where the rock bluff was lifted by 15 feet.</big></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1066" src="../Iphone/1533_BullerGorge_06.jpg" height="480" width="640"></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1065" src="../Iphone/1534_BullerGorge_07.jpg" height="640" width="480"></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1064" src="../Iphone/1535_BullerGorge_08.jpg" height="480" width="640"></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><big>The cluster of pictures above and left are of a gold miner's shack and some of the equipment left behind. &nbsp;These days you can pan for gold if you are so inclined.</big></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td>&nbsp;</td> <td>&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr> <td>&nbsp;</td> <td>&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"> <p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Westport</span></b></p> <p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">19 January - 20 January</span></b></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" rowspan="1"><big>Westport is a surfer town, the home of a fur seal colony and the home of a coal mining museum.</big></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;<img src="../Iphone/1537_Westport_01.jpg" alt=""></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><big>The headlands have a haunting beauty.</big></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;<img src="../Iphone/1538_Westport_02.jpg" alt=""></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><big>This is the second or third time we have seen flowers woven from trailside reeds.</big></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;<img src="../Iphone/1539_Westport_03.jpg" alt=""></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;<img src="../Iphone/1541_Westport_06.jpg" alt=""></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><big>The fur seals were nearly completely hunted out. They remain on the endangered list.</big></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;<img src="../Iphone/1542_Westport_04.jpg" alt=""></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;<img src="../Iphone/1543_Westport_05.jpg" alt=""></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" rowspan="1"><big>At one time Westport was a major coal port. &nbsp;Changing markets and depletion have ended most of the coal mining hereabouts.&nbsp; Gold taken out of the hills to the east also came through here. That resource has also been depleted. Now the town relies on agriculture and tourism. In town there is a museum dedicated to the coal industry and the union movement. The miners and their family had a life. &nbsp;Naturally it was the women who brought humanity to the miners' villages. &nbsp; </big></td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="../Iphone/1544_Westport_001.jpg" alt=""></td> <td><img src="../Iphone/1545_Westport_002.jpg" alt=""></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Pancake Rocks</span></b></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="../Iphone/1559_Pancake_14.jpg" alt=""></td> <td><img src="../Iphone/1557_Pancake_12.jpg" alt=""></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1062" src="PancakeBlowHole.jpg" height="640" width="427"></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1061" src="PancakeRocks02.gif" height="360" width="240"></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1060" src="PancakeRocks02.jpg" height="427" width="640"></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1059" src="PancakeRocks03.jpg" height="427" width="640"></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1058" src="PancakeRocks04.jpg" height="427" width="640"></p> </td> <td>&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;<img src="../Iphone/1546_Pancake_01.jpg" alt=""></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;<img src="../Iphone/1547_Pancake_02.jpg" alt=""></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;<img src="../Iphone/1548_Pancake_03.jpg" alt=""></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;<img src="../Iphone/1549_Pancake_04.jpg" alt=""></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;<img src="../Iphone/1550_Pancake_05.jpg" alt=""></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;<img src="../Iphone/1552_Pancake_07.jpg" alt=""></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;<img src="../Iphone/1553_pancake_08.jpg" alt=""></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;<img src="../Iphone/1554_pancake_09.jpg" alt=""></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="../Iphone/1555_Pancake_10.jpg" alt=""></td> <td><img src="../Iphone/1556_Pancake_11.jpg" alt=""></td> </tr> <tr> <td><br> </td> <td><img src="../Iphone/1558_Pancake_13.jpg" alt=""></td> </tr> <tr> <td><br> </td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td></td> </tr> <tr align="center"> <td colspan="2" rowspan="1"><big>Ross -- Gold Town</big></td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="../Iphone/1560_Ross_01.jpg" alt=""></td> <td><img src="../Iphone/1561_Ross_02.jpg" alt=""></td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="../Iphone/1562_Ross_03.jpg" alt=""></td> <td><img src="../Iphone/1563_Ross_04.jpg" alt=""></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>&nbsp;</td> <td>&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"> <p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Franz Josef Glacier</span></b></p> <p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">20 January - 22 January</span></b></p> <p>Unless one flies in on a helicopter there is no access to the glacier for the common man. The closest one can get is shown in the photos. Much different from my experience in Chamonix, FR only 45 years ago. The hut in the pictures used to be used to overnight on a ridge above the glacier; no more. Check out the reflection of the snow field in Peter's Pond.</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1056" src="FrJos01.jpg" height="426" width="640"></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1055" src="FrJos02.jpg" height="426" width="640"></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1054" src="FrJos03.jpg" height="426" width="640"></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1053" src="FrJos04.jpg" height="426" width="640"></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1052" src="FrJos05.jpg" height="426" width="640"></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1051" src="FrJos06.jpg" height="426" width="640"></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1050" src="FrJos_eel.jpg" height="426" width="640"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><big>On one of our walks we hiked out to an alpine lake where we discovered some very friendly eels who were happy to be fed our bread crusts.</big></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1049" src="FrJosCairn.jpg" height="640" width="426"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><big>We made our own cairn to mark where we had been.</big></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;<img src="../Iphone/1564_FJ_01.jpg" alt=""></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;<img src="../Iphone/1565_FJ_02.jpg" alt=""></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="../Iphone/1566_FJ_03.jpg" alt=""></td> <td><img src="../Iphone/1567_FJ_04.jpg" alt=""></td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="../Iphone/1568_FJ_05.jpg" alt=""><br><br>A short swing bridge in Franz Josef.</td> <td><img src="../Iphone/1570_FJ_06.jpg" alt=""></td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="../Iphone/1571_FJ_07.jpg" alt=""></td> <td><img src="../Iphone/1575_FJ_08.jpg" alt=""></td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="../Iphone/1578_FJ_09.jpg" alt=""></td> <td><img src="../Iphone/1579_FJ_10.jpg" alt=""><br><big>This lake in Franz Josef is named for the 9 year old boy who made it his campsite. We met a University of Canterbury professor and his wife here and had a very nice chat. They told us they had been coming to Franz Josef for a couple of decades. They commented on how quickly the glacier grows and retreats over the years.</big></td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="../Iphone/1580_FJ_11.jpg" alt=""></td> <td><img src="../Iphone/1581_FJ_12.jpg" alt=""></td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="../Iphone/1582_FJ_13.jpg" alt=""><br><br>A bit of ice peeking out from underneath the rock rubble left behind by the retreating glacier.</td> <td><img src="../Iphone/1583_FJ_14.jpg" alt=""></td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="../Iphone/1584_FJ_15.jpg" alt=""></td> <td><img src="../Iphone/1587_FJ_16.jpg" alt=""></td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="../Iphone/1588_FJ_17.jpg" alt=""></td> <td><img src="../Iphone/1589_FJ_18.jpg" alt=""></td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="../Iphone/1590_FJ_19.jpg" alt=""><br><br><big>The interior of the Anglican Church in Franz Josef. It overlooks the river carrying the glacier melt down to the sea. During the life of the church the glacier has come withing a couple of hundred yards of this site.</big></td> <td><img src="../Iphone/1591_FJ_20.jpg" alt=""></td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="../Iphone/1592_FJ_21.jpg" alt=""></td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td></td> </tr> <tr align="center"> <td colspan="2" rowspan="1">Andrew Pass -- From Franz Josef to Christchurch</td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;<img src="../Iphone/1593_AndrewsPass_01.jpg" alt=""></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;<img src="../Iphone/1594_AndrewsPass_02.jpg" alt=""></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="../Iphone/1595_AndrewsPass_03.jpg" alt=""></td> <td><img src="../Iphone/1596_AndrewsPass_04.jpg" alt=""></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" rowspan="1">&nbsp;<big>Once over the pass and descending eastward toward Christchurch the landscape became very dry and arid.</big></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1048" src="Still_Life.jpg" height="355" width="640"></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1047" src="AndrewPass.jpg" height="426" width="640"></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"> <p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Christ Church</span></b></p> <p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">22 January - 23 January</span></b></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td>&nbsp;</td> <td>&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1046" src="ChrCh_Gir03.jpg" height="640" width="426"></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1045" src="ChrCh_Giraffe01.jpg" height="640" width="426"></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1044" src="ChrCH_Giraffe04.jpg" height="640" width="426"></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1043" src="ChrCh_Giraffe02.jpg" height="640" width="426"></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="../Iphone/1617_ChristChurch_19.jpg" alt=""><br> <br> <big>Throughout Christchurch there are many of these painted giraffes. &nbsp;They are done as part of a fund raising project being run by the youth of the city.</big></td> <td><img src="../Iphone/1602+ChristChurch_06.jpg" alt=""><br> <br> This before the quake picture of the interior of the Cathedral is a plea to fund the reconstruction. It was inside the plant covered structure in the photo below and to the left.</td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="../Iphone/1601_ChristChurch_05.jpg" alt=""></td> <td><img src="../Iphone/1605_ChristChurch_09.jpg" alt=""></td> </tr> <tr> <td><img id="_x0000_i1040" src="ChrChurch01.jpg" height="426" width="640"></td> <td><img id="_x0000_i1041" src="ChrChCath01.jpg" height="426" width="640"></td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="../Iphone/1599_ChristChurch_003.jpg" alt=""></td> <td><img id="_x0000_i1039" src="ChrChCathedral.jpg" height="426" width="640"></td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="../Iphone/1604_ChristChurch_08.jpg" alt=""></td> <td><img src="../Iphone/1603_ChristChurch_07.jpg" alt=""></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" rowspan="1"><big>The plaza in front of the church has just reopened. It is home to the over-sized chess game above and the sculptures shown below.</big></td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="../Iphone/1612_ChristChurch_14.jpg" alt=""></td> <td><img src="../Iphone/1598_ChristChurch_002.jpg" alt=""></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;<img src="../Iphone/1597_ChristChurch_001.jpg" alt=""></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1038" src="ChrChurch02.jpg" height="426" width="640"></p> <big>Apparently there is a big dispute about water rights in the province of Canterbury.</big></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;<img src="../Iphone/1600_ChristChurch_004.jpg" alt=""></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><big>&nbsp;The museum pictured here is just a short walk from the cathedral. While the cathedral was devastated, the museum sustained almost no damage at all. &nbsp;It was explained to us that the museum had started its work to be more earthquake robust some years ago. In addition, the museum is actually several buildings that can move independently of one another.</big><br> </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td><img id="_x0000_i1042" src="ChrCh_punt.jpg" height="426" width="640"><br> <br> <big>Drifitng down the river in a punt is a very British activity. Not too many boats were out the day we were there, but I am sure on a weekend there is plenty of activity.</big></td> <td><img src="../Iphone/1606_ChristChurch.jpg" alt=""></td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="../Iphone/1609_ChristChurch_12.jpg" alt=""></td> <td><img src="../Iphone/1607_ChristChurch_10.jpg" alt=""></td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="../Iphone/1608_ChristChurch_11.jpg" alt=""></td> <td><img src="../Iphone/1611_ChristChurch_13.jpg" alt=""><br> <br> <big>This outdoor lending library is reminiscent of the one in beautiful downtown Rock Hall.</big></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td><br> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" rowspan="1"><big>In the 2011 earthquakes that destroyed large parts of the city about half of the Anglican cathedral collapsed (see the photos above). Almost immediately the parishioners, engineers and architects undertook the job of building a new palce of worship. The result is known as the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Cardboard Cathedral.</span> In the interior picture, below right, you can see how it was done. Each of the structural pieces in the vault is made from cardboard tubes with long strips of corrugated cardboard that have been glued together and then epoxied into the tube. </big></td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="../Iphone/1613_ChristChurch_15.jpg" alt=""></td> <td><img src="../Iphone/1614_ChristChurch_16.jpg" alt=""></td> </tr> <tr> <td><img src="../Iphone/1615_ChristChurch_17.jpg" alt=""></td> <td><img src="../Iphone/1616_ChristChurch_18.jpg" alt=""></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td><img src="../Iphone/1618_EnRoute.jpg" alt=""><br> <br> <big>On our way from Christchurch to Picton we stopped at the little town, Kaikoura, on this beach to get lunch. It is a little resort town with a surf shop and a dive shop.</big></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"> <p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span class="SpellE"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Picton</span></b></span></p> <p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">23 January - 24 January</span></b></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" rowspan="1"><big>Our departure point for our return to Wellington and flight to Melbourne was Picton. On our return we stayed at the Atlantis Youth Hostel in the center of town. The Buccaneer, which we used inbound, was booked for the date we needed. The youth hostel is run by an American from South Carolina who sailed here with her kids and Kiwi husband. Schera is an aging hippy with unbounded energy and the gift of gab. &nbsp;If I was 25 instead of 65 this would be a great place to stay. I didn't much care for the uni-sex shared bathroom. The interior of the hostel has been painted by folks have stayed there. </big></td> </tr> <tr> <td><img id="_x0000_i1037" src="../Iphone/1633_Picton_14.jpg" height="480" width="640"><br> <br> <big>The ferry ride out the Marlborough Sounds is truly beautiful</big></td> <td><img id="_x0000_i1036" src="../Iphone/1619_Picton_01.jpg" height="640" width="480"></td> </tr> <tr> <td><img id="_x0000_i1025" src="../Iphone/1632_Picton_13.jpg" height="480" width="640"></td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1029" src="../Iphone/1627_Picton_09.jpg" height="480" width="640"></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1035" src="../Iphone/1620_Picton_02.jpg" height="480" width="640"></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1034" src="../Iphone/1621_Picton_03.jpg" height="480" width="640"></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1033" src="../Iphone/1622_Picton_04.jpg" height="640" width="480"></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1032" src="../Iphone/1623_Picton_05.jpg" height="640" width="480"></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1031" src="../Iphone/1624_Picton_06.jpg" height="480" width="640"></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1030" src="../Iphone/1626_Picton_08.jpg" height="480" width="640"></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" rowspan="1"><big>All that remains of the Edwin Fox are these signs, the keel, some ribs and some hull and deck planking all inside a shed. On the other side of the small river is another old wooden sailing vessel in similar state of disrepair. There is signage on it hat would lead one to believe that at some point there was a plan to restore it. &nbsp;It is so far gone that I can imagine it happening.</big></td> </tr> <tr> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1027" src="../Iphone/1629_Picton_11.jpg" height="480" width="640"></p> </td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1028" src="../Iphone/1628_picton_10.jpg" height="480" width="640"></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td>&nbsp;</td> <td> <p class="MsoNormal"><img id="_x0000_i1026" src="../Iphone/1631_Picton_12.jpg" height="480" width="640"></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"> <p>To sum up, New Zealand has better drivers, fewer police, cleaner streets (impeccable), cleaner countryside, far fewer pet dogs, fewer churches, no malls to maul small towns economically, accessible but more expensive Internet, more people traveling on bikes, more hitchhikers (like back in the 1970s when I hitched across Canada and the US). The people were exceedingly friendly and helpful.</p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </body></html>