• About
  • Sewing
  • Star Wars Creations

Lady of the Wilderness

~ Experimental Archeaology in the Ohio Territory

Lady of the Wilderness

Category Archives: New Zealand

New Zealand: Day 21 & 22

26 Saturday Mar 2016

Posted by guhnome in Misc, New Zealand, Travel

≈ Leave a comment

So, we’re home now, after our 30+ hours of travel- but we thought you’d like to know what we did our last couple days in NZ. Enjoy!

Day 21: Auckland

Get ready for some adorableness! For our last couple of days in NZ, we spent our time in Auckland before our flight back to the US. We decided to spend one of the days with Stu and Donna!

Stu and Donna have been giving Auckland tours for 15 years now and offer a one-of-akind experience to anyone who’d like to not have to drive or worry about anything. Part of their tour is going to their farm and tasting jams, cheeses, fruits, etc. They even let you pet their sheep and birds! We can’t recommend this tour highly enough, and it’d be a great way to start your NZ tour off, if you’re starting in Auckland.

Sheeps!
Sheeps!
Such a happy farm
Such a happy farm
The first stop on the tour was a lovely winery just west of Auckland
The first stop on the tour was a lovely winery just west of Auckland
SONY DSC
SONY DSC
SONY DSC
Can you tell what those little black dots are? They're surfers!
Can you tell what those little black dots are? They’re surfers!
Second stop was a seabird colony whose babies were alllmoossst ready to fly
Second stop was a seabird colony whose babies were alllmoossst ready to fly
Beautiful beaches- this was a "slow day" for waves lol
Beautiful beaches- this was a “slow day” for waves lol
SONY DSC
SONY DSC
SONY DSC
SONY DSC
SONY DSC
SONY DSC
The sand in this area is all black ash sand from a volcano eruption lonnnng ago. Pretty cool!
The sand in this area is all black ash sand from a volcano eruption lonnnng ago. Pretty cool!
SONY DSC
The severity of the cliffs are just gorgeous
The severity of the cliffs are just gorgeous
SONY DSC
Near the beach we saw a cool cave
Near the beach we saw a cool cave
Next stop was hanging out at Stu and Donna's farm
Next stop was hanging out at Stu and Donna’s farm
We got a sheepdog demonstration
We got a sheepdog demonstration
SONY DSC
We also saw how all the wool is processed
We also saw how all the wool is processed
We nerded out about wool processing
We nerded out about wool processing
Pavlova with Kiwi was on the menu for our tea. It was fantastic.
Pavlova with Kiwi was on the menu for our tea. It was fantastic.
Auckie the turkey!
Auckie the turkey!
Donna rescues birds, this one happened to have lice terribly bad in her youth and scratched her eyes out. She's 21 years old now, though and very talkative!
Donna rescues birds, this one happened to have lice terribly bad in her youth and scratched her eyes out. She’s 21 years old now, though and very talkative!
SONY DSC
SONY DSC
SONY DSC

We had dinner at a Mexican Cafe in Auckland that was kind of close to our Mexican food in the states. By this point we were just hankering for something from home and were happy to find it similar. We also had to get on the road to Whangerei (where we were staying that night) just as the Westerly Winds started to pick up. That was a scary drive!

Day 22: Change in plans

The view from our AirBnB that night
The view from our AirBnB that night
Some cows prohibited us from driving for a bit
Some cows prohibited us from driving for a bit

We had driven to Whangerei to be close to Adventure World, where the “most difficult mini golf course” is said to be found. However we had awoken to a lovely high wind set of showers that weren’t suppose to end for another day or so. We decided to hightail it back to Auckland and check out some fabric stores and the Auckland Art Gallery.

I got to see some real George Romney paintings!
I got to see some real George Romney paintings!
The space alone is exquisite
The space alone is exquisite
SONY DSC
SONY DSC
SONY DSC

We made it to several fabric storese, but none of them had what I was looking for. At around 4:07pm, we came to our last (the biggest one) and they had closed at 4pm. SAD DAY. So that day was just us be-bopping around Auckland, not taking many pictures. So sorry! We got some takeaway sushi (pretty good) and got back to the AirBnB to pack and sleep before we left.

They had teryaki chicken, crunchy fish and a few odd ones, but they were tasty!
They had teryaki chicken, crunchy fish and a few odd ones, but they were tasty!
Auckland (picture taken the day before, when it was sunny)
Auckland (picture taken the day before, when it was sunny)

Trip Conclusion:

In reminiscing about our trip, we wouldn’t have changed a thing. We had a great time, everyone was super nice and it was definitely an experience of a lifetime.

Our plan is to create a series of posts within the next couple of weeks with information about cost, how we planned it, tips on traveling in and around, etc. to help out anyone who might be thinking of spending some time in NZ. I found that most of the information I was coming across was more geared toward the hitchhiker or camping type person.

If there are any questions or topics you’d like us to post on, please comment! I want to be as helpful as I can to you all!

**We are not endorsed by any of the companies we’ve linked in our posts- we just want you to be able to find their information should you come along to NZ**

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Email
  • Twitter
  • Tumblr
  • Reddit

Like this:

Like Loading...

New Zealand: Day 17 & 18

21 Monday Mar 2016

Posted by guhnome in Misc, New Zealand, Travel

≈ Leave a comment

Are you prepared for copious amounts of marine mammals?!

Day 17: Kaikoura

One of the “Must Do” activities on most New Zealand websites is to swim with the dolphins in Kaikoura, on the east coast of the South Island. Now, I’m not a fan of the open ocean- let alone when the area you’re swimming in is an UNDERWATER CANYON. I’m also not a fan of dolphins, as I think they’re probably too smart for their own good and are bigger than I am. So I wasn’t truly looking forward to this particular activity.

Ian, on the other hand, was super stoked about the idea of getting to swim with a bunch of dolphins BECAUSE they’re smart and BECAUSE we’re on the open ocean and BECAUSE they’re as big as he is. So we had differing opinions on the subject.

I am, however, so glad that we did it. It was an amazing experience and there’s no way you can be prepared for this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZ9HBrbwZZM

(Here’s what it looks like under the water *note- not my video, but this is what we saw while swimming!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOXoE9280Ck

So many dusky dolphins!
So many dusky dolphins!
Ian looks like a weird sea lion here.
Ian looks like a weird sea lion here.
You can tell much better in the video, but over one hundred dolphins belong to this pod
You can tell much better in the video, but over one hundred dolphins belong to this pod
They got super close to the boat
They got super close to the boat
They love to jump/summersault in the air
They love to jump/summersault in the air
SONY DSC
SONY DSC
SONY DSC
SONY DSC
Here's a good summersault pic
Here’s a good summersault pic
SONY DSC
SONY DSC
SONY DSC
SONY DSC
SONY DSC
I'm so grossly pale!
I’m so grossly pale!
I had a baby dolphin nearly slap me in the face with its tale. Very rude.
I had a baby dolphin nearly slap me in the face with its tale. Very rude.
Babies jumping!
Babies jumping!
SONY DSC
SONY DSC
SONY DSC
This is the bay the dolphins hang out in. It's some underwater canyon that holds a ton of food for them to eat- they say there are whales way deep down there.
This is the bay the dolphins hang out in. It’s some underwater canyon that holds a ton of food for them to eat- they say there are whales way deep down there.

After the dolphin swim, we were pretty exhausted, but had a couple more stops we wanted to make to local art galleries and shops. We had also heard there was a seal colony somewhere close so we went there, too. It’s called the Ohau Waterfall Walk.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qs0i9HMluBE

Babies!
Babies!
They come within a couple of feet close to you
They come within a couple of feet close to you
SONY DSC
Ian sure got some good photos!
Ian sure got some good photos!
SONY DSC
SONY DSC
SONY DSC
Sleepin' baby
Sleepin’ baby
SONY DSC
SONY DSC
Sleepin' pup
Sleepin’ pup
This is the Ohau Waterfall, where the pups come to play. We got there late in the season, but there were still plenty to hang out with
This is the Ohau Waterfall, where the pups come to play. We got there late in the season, but there were still plenty to hang out with
SONY DSC
Views from the road
Views from the road
At the shoreline, the rest of the colony was sunbathing
At the shoreline, the rest of the colony was sunbathing
SONY DSC
SONY DSC
SONY DSC
SONY DSC
SONY DSC
SONY DSC
SONY DSC
Ian was very good at getting pictures of the waves crashing.
Ian was very good at getting pictures of the waves crashing.

We headed to Blenheim after that but had dinner in Picton at a place called Thai Panda– which was really good!

Day 18: Havelock

Havelock was on our list because of the Mussels and Seafood Festival. I love mussels, Ian loves mussels, we love food. It was great! It was also a much better bargain for your buck since they had meal portioned foods rather than just samples. We really loved this festival a lot.

Havelock- the Mussel Capital of NZ!
Havelock- the Mussel Capital of NZ!
We ate some yummy cheesecakes
We ate some yummy cheesecakes
Some fantastic seafood platters
Some fantastic seafood platters
Watched some serious shuckers shucking their way into the Guinness Book of World Records
Watched some serious shuckers shucking their way into the Guinness Book of World Records
Witnessed lots of people supporting so-so cover bands
Witnessed lots of people supporting so-so cover bands
Ate lots of seafood
Ate lots of seafood
Lobtster Chowder
Lobtster Chowder
And got crumbs all over our faces.
And got crumbs all over our faces.

We finished there around 1:30pm and were sufficiently full. But we were in the heart of NZ wine country! We elected to take the Marlborough Wine Trail and try some wines- we had a great time! Ian chauffeured me around since he doesn’t drink and I bought some really interesting wines from the Fromm Winery and the Huia Vineyards.

Wineries all over the place.
Wineries all over the place.
SONY DSC
Vines.
Vines.

That night we took it easy and wanted a taste of home so we got some Burger King (the closest tasting to our fast food chains of all the ones we’ve tried) and I slept when we got home because wine.

Next up: Even more driving.

**We are not endorsed by any of the companies we’ve linked in our posts- we just want you to be able to find their information should you come along to NZ**

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Email
  • Twitter
  • Tumblr
  • Reddit

Like this:

Like Loading...

New Zealand: Day 15 & 16

19 Saturday Mar 2016

Posted by guhnome in Misc, New Zealand, Travel

≈ Leave a comment

Day 15: Getting to Dunedin

Not a ton happened on the way from Queenstown to Dunedin other than we saw way more sheep than we anticipated and ended up driving on a dangerous gravel road for over a half an hour (GPS glitch, go figure).

IMG_3560

There were lots of sheep.

When we got to Dunedin, we had just enough time to catch a tour through the Cadbury Chocolate Factory. It costs a mere $20, and they give you a LOT of chocolate. Pictures weren’t allowed during the tour but we can tell you that they give you a lot of chocolate- and not the chocolates you’ll necessarily like. All the weird marshmallow chocolates you can think of, and they’re not that tasty to American Tastebuds.

SONY DSC

So much chocolate was had- they literally had a spicket of it!

After our tour we checked in with our AirBnB then headed to the Otago Museum. It was fantastic. We definitely encourage anyone to go there if you’re in Dunedin… especially since it’s free!

20160316_154454
20160316_154944
20160316_155542
20160316_154212
Somehow we managed to only take photos of the animals in this museum. There was a LOT more to it, but I guess we were having too good a time to take pics.
Somehow we managed to only take photos of the animals in this museum. There was a LOT more to it, but I guess we were having too good a time to take pics.
20160316_161213(0)
20160316_155821
Evil thing.
Evil thing.
The taxidermy for most of these were REALLY old
The taxidermy for most of these were REALLY old
I wonder if that's how it looks in the wild?
I wonder if that’s how it looks in the wild?
20160316_161710
20160316_161729
20160316_161742
20160316_163845
20160316_163538
20160316_163335
20160316_162119
20160316_161903

An item that had been on Ian’s list of things to check out was The Beverly Clock invented in 1864. This clock is basically a perpetual motion machine that only requires a 6 degree change in temperature to create the energy to run. It’s run steadily, with no problems, since it was built 152 years ago.

20160316_145014

Wow!

We ate dinner at Etrusco who had some really great dishes. Ian got the Seafood Marinara and I got the Pumpkin Ravioli. Everything was delicious and they had a great Cab/Syrah blend to go with it that was soooooo velvety. So good.

20160316_175400

MMMMM

We finished our day out with the steepest residential street in the world! Balwin Street is no joke. Ian managed to drive our rental car up it, but I didn’t think it would make it the full way up. The street itself is 35o meters long and is a really tough hike just to get up half way.

Quite steep
Quite steep
IMG_3596
You can't really tell but it takes a while to walk this.
You can’t really tell but it takes a while to walk this.
20160316_185503

Back at our room for the night, I worked on an 18th century quilted petticoat for Felicity and Ian played his DS. We’re pretty cool people.

Day 16: Dunedin to Kaikoura

Plans weren’t to stay in Dunedin that long, but the aesthetic of the city is a lot like what we’re used to- old buildings, lots of history, lots of things happening, art galleries, museums, etc. I’d say it’s my favorite city to have visited so far.

The 3rd most photographed building in the southern hemisphere, the Train Station
The 3rd most photographed building in the southern hemisphere, the Train Station
Pretty gingerbread everywhere!
Pretty gingerbread everywhere!
SONY DSC
20160316_172806

We had booked a tour of the Olveston House, a historic home that belonged to a very prominent family in Dunedin. Again, pictures weren’t allowed inside, but it was definitely worth going on if you like that sort of thing. There was a little greenhouse out the back of the place we stopped to snap some pretty pictures.

The side view of the home
The side view of the home
This is the side the greenhouse was on
This is the side the greenhouse was on
SONY DSC
SONY DSC
SONY DSC
SONY DSC
SONY DSC
SONY DSC
SONY DSC

There were a few art galleries to check out before we left, but lunch time rolled around and we thought we should get a “taste of home” by checking out what KFC’s taste like here… wrong move. Not that NZ KFC is terrible, but it surely didn’t taste like what we were used to. They offer the $5 meal which I wrongly assumed was the same as the 5-buck-lunch and Ian got a Hawaiian Chicken Sandwich. He didn’t think the sandwich was all that great and let me show you how much popcorn chicken I got for my value meal:

SONY DSC

I’d say there were about 9 wee pieces of chicken.

They also have potato fries that are coated in a chicken boullion/salt mixture and offer a weird ketchup that has a nuance of barbecue flavoring as well as some ginger mixed in….Not our favorite thing in the world.

At some point we stumbled upon the Moeraki Boulders. This things are SO cool.

They look like a video game type of scenery
They look like a video game type of scenery
So round.
So round.
There are more under the sand
There are more under the sand
SONY DSC
Apparently, when they open they look like this.
Apparently, when they open they look like this.
They're a weird concrete/composition of things that have been weathered down by the coast
They’re a weird concrete/composition of things that have been weathered down by the coast
Innards.
Innards.
SONY DSC
Ian got stuck
Ian got stuck
Victorious.
Victorious.
Don't fall in!
Don’t fall in!
SONY DSC
There were lots of people to see them but we managed some no-people pictures
There were lots of people to see them but we managed some no-people pictures
The water color never shows up as true in photos. The water is an lovely blue irl
The water color never shows up as true in photos. The water is an lovely blue irl
Ian kept saying they had to be dinosaur eggs- that's the only possible explanation
Ian kept saying they had to be dinosaur eggs- that’s the only possible explanation
Watch out for the graboids!
Watch out for the graboids!
SONY DSC

I managed to sprain my ankle and crash to the ground when we stopped off at a shop along the way- thankfully no one was looking. Shortly after, there was another town worth stopping at called Oamaru, otherwise known as the Steampunk Capital of NZ. We naturally went to almost every shop they had as well as the Steampunk Museum– VERY worthwhile.

The shops were so cool!
The shops were so cool!
Everything you can imagine!
Everything you can imagine!
Oamaru
Oamaru
Ian found a stole he liked.
Ian found a stole he liked.
Steampunk Headquarters!
Steampunk Headquarters!
Outside was like MadMax
Outside was like MadMax
Ian driving the death train
Ian driving the death train
Death train.
Death train.
SONY DSC
You could actually pick up that thing at the bottom with the manual crane
You could actually pick up that thing at the bottom with the manual crane
SONY DSC
SONY DSC
SONY DSC
SONY DSC
Most of the towns in NZ don't look like this- they all look more modern
Most of the towns in NZ don’t look like this- they all look more modern
SONY DSC
SONY DSC
SONY DSC
"The Portal"
“The Portal”
Some fun sculptures
Some fun sculptures
The whole place was interactive
The whole place was interactive
20160317_150104
20160317_145851
20160317_145749
20160317_150120

We drove another 4 hours until we stopped- not much to see on this drive that we hadn’t already- and ended up at a cafe/bar place where I misunderstood something and ended up with a huge amount of Speight’s beer to go along with my mussel chowder. Ian just laughed as he ate his fish ‘n chips. No harm done in the end.

20160317_195109
I somehow drank this in an hour
I somehow drank this in an hour

Aren’t we done yet?! Nope. Next up: Lots of marine animals.

**We are not endorsed by any of the companies we’ve linked in our posts- we just want you to be able to find their information should you come along to NZ**

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Email
  • Twitter
  • Tumblr
  • Reddit

Like this:

Like Loading...

New Zealand: Day 11 & 12

15 Tuesday Mar 2016

Posted by guhnome in History, Misc, New Zealand, Travel

≈ Leave a comment

Day 11: Greymouth & Hokitika

We stayed in Greymouth for the night before heading out to the Wildfoods Festival. The waves there are crazy!

The Greymouth waves were crazy!
The Greymouth waves were crazy!
The wind was also blowing the waves back which made for a cool effect
The wind was also blowing the waves back which made for a cool effect
Greymouth was an interesting town, the layout wasn't really like most of the NZ towns we've been in
Greymouth was an interesting town, the layout wasn’t really like most of the NZ towns we’ve been in
The giant street of Greymouth
The giant street of Greymouth

We took a quick detour on the way to check out a little ol’ place called Shantytown:

Definitely worth going on Art Day! ($5 entry tickets)
Definitely worth going on Art Day! ($5 entry tickets)
Train ride
Train ride
Train engine
Train engine
SONY DSC
Big tree
Big tree
SONY DSC
Art day held a bunch of artists from the Hokitika/Greymouth area
Art day held a bunch of artists from the Hokitika/Greymouth area
Old people goldpanning
Old people goldpanning
Sawmill exhibit
Sawmill exhibit
SONY DSC
SONY DSC
SONY DSC
It was very cute
It was very cute
Art shows!
Art shows!
What an outfit!
What an outfit!
SONY DSC
Post office!
Post office!
SONY DSC
SONY DSC
The "ChinaTown" part of Shantytown was really interesting
The “ChinaTown” part of Shantytown was really interesting
We wanted to learn more but everything was in Chinese!
We wanted to learn more but everything was in Chinese!

Then we arrived at The Wildfoods Festival! Since 1990, thousands have flocked to Hokitika to taste the crazy things that humans can eat; like Crocodile, Seagull, Testicles, Kangaroo, etc. We ate a lot.

Fried huhu grubs
Fried huhu grubs
Live huhu grubs!
Live huhu grubs!
down the hatch
down the hatch
--Tastes like wood.
–Tastes like wood.
Fried mealworm
Fried mealworm
Tastes like fried wood
Tastes like fried wood
Fried duck bits, which we did not eat
Fried duck bits, which we did not eat
Crowds.
Crowds.
Bull testical sandwich!
Bull testical sandwich!
Mountain Oysters AKA Bull Testicals!
Mountain Oysters AKA Bull Testicals!
Delicious.
Delicious.
Kangaroo bites (Almost the best thing there!)
Kangaroo bites (Almost the best thing there!)
Snails and crackers
Snails and crackers
Slimey
Slimey
SONY DSC
Hardboiled Seagull egg
Hardboiled Seagull egg
So big!
So big!
Ian said the egg was really rubbery
Ian said the egg was really rubbery
All the meats! Wallaby and Goat tasted THE BEST- so good.
All the meats! Wallaby and Goat tasted THE BEST- so good.
LAMB BRAINS
LAMB BRAINS
Crowds
Crowds

Hokitika has a ton of really cool shops and a few museums to pop into. We went into the Hokitika Museum for a little bit and had a great time learning about Whitefish: New Zealand’s Favorite Fish!

Museum time!
Museum time!
What an outfit!
What an outfit!
Some fun artifacts
Some fun artifacts
Whitebait information!!!!!!
Whitebait information!!!!!!
SONY DSC

From Hokitika we headed south toward Franz Josef Glacier to where we were staying. Seeing the glaciers weren’t really part of our plan, but we got to our AirBnB sooner than we planned so we took the hike. Are we ever glad we did!

It was really foggy that day
It was really foggy that day
Ian walking
Ian walking
The river was a really weird grey color
The river was a really weird grey color
Glacier Ice Balls caught on the rocks
Glacier Ice Balls caught on the rocks
The rocks are so cool here!
The rocks are so cool here!
20160312_183005
Don't go in there.
Don’t go in there.
SONY DSC
This was not photoshopped in any way
This was not photoshopped in any way
So tall!
So tall!
SONY DSC
SONY DSC
Our glacier pictures were hard to photograph, because the sun was actually shining on the glacier thus blowing out our pictures
Our glacier pictures were hard to photograph, because the sun was actually shining on the glacier thus blowing out our pictures
20160312_180129
Cool moss growing everywhere
Cool moss growing everywhere
Majestic.
Majestic.
SONY DSC
SONY DSC
This isn't the Franz Josef Glacier but can you imagine living here!?
This isn’t the Franz Josef Glacier but can you imagine living here!?
Just photos from around the area
Just photos from around the area
SONY DSC
Awesomely huge rocks
Awesomely huge rocks
Cool rocks!
Cool rocks!
High fives!
High fives!

Dinner was had at the SnakeBite Brewery where we split a great sandwich called the “KFC: Krispy Fried Chicken Sandwich” which was an Asian Fusion delight with a bourbon-coke bbq sauce, red cabbage slaw and bacon. It was goooooood. We’ve also noticed anytime we get french fries (pretty common around here) the ketchup tastes vastly different than ours. I swear there’s ginger or another spice in there. It’s actually pretty good!

20160312_192330

MMMMM So good! The KFC Burger from SnakeBite!

Day 12: Wanaka

As you can tell, most of this trip is just driving along this beautiful island- and there’s bound to be more in coming posts. At Wanaka, we’re nearing the southernmost part of our trip to turn tail and head back to the northernmost point. So, we’re just taking in what the South Island has to offer.

The journey from Hokitika to Wanaka was kind of uneventful- we weren’t able to look at all the pretty mountains because it was really foggy and rainy out. We could tell there were mountains there, but couldn’t tell just how high they were. Here’s a few photos from the internets on the real place:

the-sky-clear-and-the-traffic-sparse-state-highway-6-heading-to-whataroa-and-hokitika

ALERT: Not my photo.

So much fog.
So much fog.
So many clouds.
So many clouds.
This is what we really saw
This is what we really saw

We did manage to hit the Blue Pools on our way, which were on our list of things to see to begin with. The overcast sky made them not as blue as photos make them seem, but they sure are pretty. Also, I want to let you all know that Kiwi “easy” hikes are NOT what we’re used to. They’re more on the medium/hard hike level because EVERYTHING IS UPHILL!

So blue!
So blue!
SONY DSC
The forest is an "old growth" which we haven't seen much until now due to excessive logging in the areas we'd been in
The forest is an “old growth” which we haven’t seen much until now due to excessive logging in the areas we’d been in
Big tree!
Big tree!
There was a large group of people jumping from the bridge, ruining my photos!
There was a large group of people jumping from the bridge, ruining my photos!
SONY DSC
This was another one of those "easy" New Zealand walks. Let me inform you, Kiwi easy is REALLY hard.
This was another one of those “easy” New Zealand walks. Let me inform you, Kiwi easy is REALLY hard.
Stump
Stump
The pathways were REALLY narrow and often only had one railing with the other side being a dropoff.
The pathways were REALLY narrow and often only had one railing with the other side being a dropoff.
So steep!
So steep!

When we arrived in Wanaka, we went to Puzzling World to check out what they have- crazy illusions and a giant maze. Ian was quite pleased…. my brain, however, was a bit broken.

SONY DSC
Going down or up!?
Going down or up!?
Insane Skilz
Insane Skilz
This was an awesome affect using inverted forms and light to create 3-D faces!
This was an awesome affect using inverted forms and light to create 3-D faces!
Illusion glass
Illusion glass
SONY DSC
This room was cool but we couldn't get the perspective right
This room was cool but we couldn’t get the perspective right
SONY DSC
The bathrooms were fun
The bathrooms were fun
Ian figured out a puzzle!
Ian figured out a puzzle!
Here's the maze. It took a long time to complete
Here’s the maze. It took a long time to complete
SONY DSC
Look at that super human strength!
Look at that super human strength!
20160313_152708
20160313_143124

Dinner was had at Sailz in Lake Hawea where Ian had a steak and I had a salmon fillet. It was pretty good and the closest to home cooking we’ve had since we got here.

Here are a couple more photos of our drive:

SONY DSC
SONY DSC
SONY DSC
SONY DSC

What could possibly be next?! A hike we probably shouldn’t have taken

**We are not endorsed by any of the companies we’ve linked in our posts- we just want you to be able to find their information should you come along to NZ**

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Email
  • Twitter
  • Tumblr
  • Reddit

Like this:

Like Loading...

New Zealand: Day 9 & 10

13 Sunday Mar 2016

Posted by guhnome in Misc, New Zealand, Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

The next few days are going to be full of full on driving and a few stops along the way- but luckily this place is so gosh-darn beautiful it doesn’t matter!

Day 9: Picton Ferry to Christchurch

Our day consisted of a 3.5 hour ride on the Interislander in the Cook Straight between the north and south islands then a 4.5 hour drive to Christchurch.

The Interislander Ferry docked at Wellington
The Interislander Ferry docked at Wellington
It's a big boat.
It’s a big boat.
Into the belly!
Into the belly!
This is Picton on the South Island as we were approaching
This is Picton on the South Island as we were approaching

Our already long trip was lengthened a bit when we came across a backed up traffic due to a car fire turned brush fire. We waited for well over an hour to get by. To our knowledge, no one was hurt and the area (which was at extreme danger level for forest fires) was put out quickly.

Just one of the MANY, MANY campers we were behind.
Just one of the MANY, MANY campers we were behind.
Semi all burned up
Semi all burned up
Over on this hill is where the fire blew up to, there were 2 helicopters and tons of fire brigades to help put it out
Over on this hill is where the fire blew up to, there were 2 helicopters and tons of fire brigades to help put it out

For dinner, we ate McDonald’s (not as good as back home) and some left over Pizza Hut from lunch (also not as good) but hey, not everything is perfect!

Day 10: Christchurch

While in Christchurch, we were sure to stop at the amazing Canterbury Museum they have in the middle of town. As a natural history museum of New Zealand, it had some absolutely awesome stuff- like Moa fossils and a ton of Maori artifacts. And it was FREE!

Moa.
Moa.
Moa can be big,
Moa can be big,
Moa can be small!
Moa can be small!
A collection of fish hooks and other impliments used by the Maori people
A collection of fish hooks and other impliments used by the Maori people
And a collection of needles made from bone
And a collection of needles made from bone
These are pictures from the last of the Moriori people- the first peoples to live in New Zealand
These are pictures from the last of the Moriori people- the first peoples to live in New Zealand
This looks like a more modern quilt to your eyes but you'd be wrong. It's a feather cape from the Maori
This looks like a more modern quilt to your eyes but you’d be wrong. It’s a feather cape from the Maori
Amazing.
Amazing.
Awesome sculptures
Awesome sculptures
Some scrimshaw art
Some scrimshaw art
Then there's the Paua House which has so many shells it's ridiculous
Then there’s the Paua House which has so many shells it’s ridiculous
An ivory Napoleon for all of your conquering needs
An ivory Napoleon for all of your conquering needs
a small display of whales and their sizes
a small display of whales and their sizes
The geology section they have here is fantastic
The geology section they have here is fantastic
A sea cucumber that's been fossilized into some other mineral
A sea cucumber that’s been fossilized into some other mineral
They even have an area to view the rocks under different wavelengths of light
They even have an area to view the rocks under different wavelengths of light
Ooooo
Ooooo
This is an albatross.
This is an albatross.
Kiwis
Kiwis
Whoever did the taxidermy for the birds here is fantastic
Whoever did the taxidermy for the birds here is fantastic
Ian on a big cycle.
Ian on a big cycle.

THEN we went fabric shopping to a couple of places and I got some really lovely fabric for 18th century millinery. Ian also bought some fabric that was much pricier- moral of the story is: Look at the price per meter (or yard) before cutting your fabric.

Some of the odd sites along the way- A car AND train bridge (scary)
Some of the odd sites along the way- A car AND train bridge (scary)
These areas were along the side of a mountain- and if you've not noticed from previous photos, there's a HUGE dropoff (more than 100ft at least) below.
These areas were along the side of a mountain- and if you’ve not noticed from previous photos, there’s a HUGE dropoff (more than 100ft at least) below.
Beautiful sites.
Beautiful sites.
Conquering Arthur's Pass
Conquering Arthur’s Pass
Lakes and mountains
Lakes and mountains
Mountains and mountains
Mountains and mountains
More mountains
More mountains

We took off and headed toward Greymouth and happened to stop at Castle Hill along the way. This place is magical and we were there for over 2 hours just hiking and taking in the spectacle it is.

This place is gorgeous.
This place is gorgeous.
20160311_143713
20160311_141523
SONY DSC
Ian's up there bein' tiny
Ian’s up there bein’ tiny
Most of the trek was nearly straight up hill
Most of the trek was nearly straight up hill
SONY DSC
SONY DSC
D'awwww
D’awwww
SONY DSC
Rockbridge
Rockbridge
The terrain once you're up there is really interesting
The terrain once you’re up there is really interesting
SONY DSC
SONY DSC
SONY DSC
We walked to the top of Castle Hill to see the other sites from a higher vantage point, I thought I was going to die. Here's Ian bein' tiny and determined
We walked to the top of Castle Hill to see the other sites from a higher vantage point, I thought I was going to die. Here’s Ian bein’ tiny and determined
SONY DSC
This is looking nearly straight up from a lower spot on Castle Hill
This is looking nearly straight up from a lower spot on Castle Hill
The boulders are huge!
The boulders are huge!
The other rocks you see in the first pictures from behind while we were on Castle Hill
The other rocks you see in the first pictures from behind while we were on Castle Hill
Ian being silly
Ian being silly

Another 2+ hours to go and we arrived at Greymouth! We ate at a place called Ali’s Eating and Drinking which had a fantastic Butter Chicken Curry Pie (they have “Pie Fridays” which are savory pies but chef’s choice- we highly recommend it) We also decided to purchase one of the pieces of art in their gallery for our living room and happened to be sitting right next to the artist! How cool is that?

What’s to come? Some wild foods and a big ol’ glacier.

**We are not endorsed by any of the companies we’ve linked in our posts- we just want you to be able to find their information should you come along to NZ**

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Email
  • Twitter
  • Tumblr
  • Reddit

Like this:

Like Loading...
← Older posts

Check out my Etsy Shop!

Virgil's Hats & Fine Goods etsy.com/shop/VirgilsFineGoods

Recent Posts

  • Troubleshooting Fit in 1780s Stays
  • Regarding 1780s Stays
  • What to expect with the Augusta Stays Pattern
  • Hellooooooooo Youtube!
  • A 1770’s Silk Mantelet

Instagram

No Instagram images were found.

Like the Facebook Page!

Like the Facebook Page!

Join 1,264 other followers

HFM 2015

Recent Comments

Ticia Adventures in… on Regarding 1780s Stays
calnyc on A Letter to Costuming/Living H…
Becky on A Letter to Costuming/Living H…
Lynn Holbrook on 1780’s Ruffled Silk…
Miss Dashwood on Purple Wool 1908 Gown: Project…

Archives

Categories

Meta

  • Register
  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.com

Recent Posts

  • Troubleshooting Fit in 1780s Stays
  • Regarding 1780s Stays
  • What to expect with the Augusta Stays Pattern
  • Hellooooooooo Youtube!
  • A 1770’s Silk Mantelet

Recent Comments

Ticia Adventures in… on Regarding 1780s Stays
calnyc on A Letter to Costuming/Living H…
Becky on A Letter to Costuming/Living H…
Lynn Holbrook on 1780’s Ruffled Silk…
Miss Dashwood on Purple Wool 1908 Gown: Project…

Archives

  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • September 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • June 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • August 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • November 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • March 2014
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • January 2013
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • August 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • November 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • December 2010
  • November 2010
  • October 2010
  • September 2010
  • August 2010
  • July 2010
  • June 2010
  • May 2010
  • March 2010
  • February 2010
  • January 2010
  • December 2009
  • November 2009
  • October 2009
  • August 2009
  • July 2009
  • June 2009
  • April 2009
  • February 2009
  • December 2008
  • November 2008
  • October 2008
  • August 2008

Blogroll

  • Discuss
  • Get Inspired
  • Get Polling
  • Get Support
  • Learn WordPress.com
  • Theme Showcase
  • WordPress Planet
  • WordPress.com News

Categories

  • 1888 Project
  • 18th Century
  • 19th century
  • 19th Century Child
  • 20th Century
  • About Me
  • Amigurumi
  • Art
  • Auction Bounty
  • Augusta Stays
  • Autumn
  • Baby Gear
  • Books You Should Buy
  • Civil War
  • College Life
  • Colonial Williamsburg
  • Corsets
  • Costuming
  • Crochet
  • Dress Form
  • Dresses
  • Edwardian
  • Fashion
  • Felicity
  • Free Patterns
  • Frugal and Thrifty
  • Goats
  • Hair
  • Hats
  • HIstorical Sew Fortnightly
  • Historical Sew Monthly 2017
  • Historical Sew Monthly 2018
  • Historical Sew Monthly 2019
  • History
  • Housewifey Stuff
  • Lectures
  • Misc
  • Misc. Things I've Made
  • Music
  • New Zealand
  • Patterns
  • Photo Friday
  • Pinterest
  • Playing House
  • Q and A
  • rant
  • Reenacting on a Budget
  • Regency
  • Renaisssance
  • Sewing Adventures
  • Star Wars
  • survey
  • Tea
  • To Do Lists
  • Travel
  • Uncategorized
  • Undergarments
  • Virgil
  • Virgil's Hat's & Fine Goods
  • Winter

Meta

  • Register
  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.com

Blog at WordPress.com.

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Follow Following
    • Lady of the Wilderness
    • Join 1,264 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • Lady of the Wilderness
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...
 

    %d bloggers like this: