tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295261652024-03-14T23:50:53.987+13:00Aotearoa DreamingThe word Aotearoa is most often translated as "Land of the long white cloud", although this is but one of several possible translations. Literally, the terms which make up the name are Ao (cloud), tea (white), and roa (long). In Fall, 2006, Stacey and I will be moving to this place, and this site is intended to be a record of our adventures...WShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13786230040791426709noreply@blogger.comBlogger143125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29526165.post-52641811482175958992010-06-30T11:09:00.007+12:002010-07-01T11:32:19.879+12:00Leaving NZWell, we've been hinting at this in conversations both online and in-person over the past year, so this won't be a surprise to some of you...We will be leaving NZ sometime this fall, probably around September. <br /><br />Invariably, everyone wants to know "Why?" we would willingly leave 'Paradise in the South Pacific' to return to the 'Land of Mordor'. The truth is that there are a lot of reasons. Some are our fault, many are only specific to me (W) and some are New Zealand's 'fault'(not related to their earthquake tendencies, though!). In the coming months and years, perhaps I'll put it all down in writing. But right now, I need some time to digest the experience so that I can be fair both to myself and to New Zealand. <br /><br />You'll just have to trust me when I say that New Zealand isn't paradise and we aren't going back to the U.S. without fair warning. We watch the U.S. news every day. We see the problems in terms of the job market, health insurance, social issues. Yes, we are scared. But don't make the mistake of assuming everything is perfect here. Job security is nil here and being a migrant only makes things more complicated. And unlike those who are born here, or who are independently wealthy (yes, it's true that not all Americans are rich!) we have no support network to give us aid when (not if) things fall to pieces. And before anyone points to 'the dole' as a support network, please do your research. <br /><br />It's important to note this this decision is not 100% mutual. I'm the one who wants to leave. Hence this post often refers to "I" and not "we". I'm concerned about dragging S away from here before she's ready to go. But I simply can't stay any longer. <br /><br />Some of you may think this is a bad decision, and feel compelled to try and talk us out of it, but I have to ask that you respect our choice and recognize that it's not been an easy one to make. Remember that we've been living in NZ for four years, not four months. I know what I'm leaving and I'm fine with it. <br /><br />It's also important to note that I don't regret the decision to come here - it's been a valuable life experience and a worthwhile endeavor, even if it didn't turn out as we might have liked. I've learned a lot about myself, my core beliefs, my tolerances and what I'm looking for in what's left of my time in this world. I don't know exactly what life looks like once we get back to the U.S., but I can tell you that it doesn't look like it did when we lived there before - and it doesn't look like it did here in NZ. <br /><br />I will miss a lot of things about NZ. We've met a lot of very nice people, both Kiwis and those from abroad. I will miss some aspects of the culture, and certainly the interesting and beautiful landscapes, flora and fauna. S will miss Wellington's scene, particularly the many movie theaters and constant flow of events. I suspect we'll both miss the coffee. <br /><br />So, this story ends largely as it began. We are in the process of deciding what to sell and what to keep, streamlining as much as possible to make it all fit in a shipping box.<br /><br />One key difference this time is that we aren't going back to the real world immediately. We intend to travel a bit before we do. We can't afford a gap year, but we can <span style="font-style:italic;">barely</span> afford a 4+/- month tour of Southeast Asia. We're buying a one-way ticket and going to take our time to see Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and (time and money permitting) the Malay peninsula. I'll be creating a travel blog and will post a link to it so people can see that we're still alive and well. <br /><br />Beyond that, we don't have any firm plans. West coast, probably, or possibly the Southwestern U.S. Initially, we expect to be back in Atlanta for a stint to see family and friends, and perhaps live in Mom & Dad's basement for a wee bit if they can put up with us, just until we can get plans sorted. A camper van is also a possibility (though S is not so keen on that idea!). Either way, it will be both exciting and perhaps terrifying (like when we get quotes for health insurance) but it will be OK in the end. We moved 12,000 miles to NZ without jobs and no safety net and we made it work (sorta) for 4 years. I'm confident we can make it work in reverse.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29526165.post-45582488245053349042010-01-31T20:55:00.005+13:002010-07-01T11:50:50.791+12:00Blog posts (or lack thereof...)WShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13786230040791426709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29526165.post-85587359210526969322009-08-12T07:16:00.003+12:002009-08-12T07:37:52.912+12:00Drop the Rate, Mate<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisfq8Px5nqSuvKKsKXxi-08Eq72L-fZGwmhX04wXfBYJoCzJI87DuIL7OD_8a0NqLTRcCZGiWE0r0bX494s7AMvhOvn6IGscpmQql8V3YycWMHWUhlgVi-BKdii5nALpedc3Y6/s1600-h/DropIT.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 273px; height: 189px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisfq8Px5nqSuvKKsKXxi-08Eq72L-fZGwmhX04wXfBYJoCzJI87DuIL7OD_8a0NqLTRcCZGiWE0r0bX494s7AMvhOvn6IGscpmQql8V3YycWMHWUhlgVi-BKdii5nALpedc3Y6/s400/DropIT.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368791347939359410" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">"Kiwis are being ripped off when they use their mobile phones. Everyone knows it."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Finally</span>, there are signs that New Zealanders have had enough of the two big monopoly mobile phone companies that dominate our market. A new campaign <a href="http://www.droptheratemate.org.nz/index.php?shadowbox=N">"Drop the Rate, Mate"</a> has started to urge Telecom and Vodafone to drop their termination rates, which can be up to 15 cents per minute. In response to this, the mobile phone companies have actually threatened to <span style="font-style: italic;">raise </span>their rates.<br /><br />Wow. Big kahunas on these guys, eh? They must think they've got a total lock on the market. No fear at all - and no choice for the people to go anywhere else. Historically, these companies reap huge profits out of NZ, completely out of proportion with their other markets in terms of pure profit. The lame excuse for ripping people off is that classic refrain: "New Zealand is a small country." I may be wrong, but I think even Kiwis are finding that statement a bit tiresome these days, particularly when coming from phone companies using it as a convenient slogan.<blanking><br /><br />I say if they choose to give us the middle finger and raise their rates further, New Zealanders should simultaneously stop using their mobile phones. <gasp!> </gasp!></blanking>Gasp! <blanking><gasp!>What will be do if we don't have our mobile phones for a little while? Will we survive? Don't worry. It wouldn't be for too long. A month or so of no income from their cash cow, and these companies might stop regarding Kiwis as pushovers. And besides, it might just be a good opportunity to try out one of the fresh, new <a href="http://www.2degreesmobile.co.nz/">competitors</a> that the BIG TWO have been trying to keep out of the country....<br /><br /></gasp!></blanking>WShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13786230040791426709noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29526165.post-61233762361885079932009-08-02T15:22:00.011+12:002010-07-01T11:52:13.266+12:00Rough winter<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggh-dhth-7UblblsABdy4bwKpoPixPixfSarXXQQ5cTBk6japFHsUoZX7s3DFV7_2WLujHUxPFezm-wp6LezY-Ck83l_i3D29LqIPNv797hWCw8AOGGzAyWXn19XazNj2ENlM7/s1600-h/tui.jpg.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 203px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggh-dhth-7UblblsABdy4bwKpoPixPixfSarXXQQ5cTBk6japFHsUoZX7s3DFV7_2WLujHUxPFezm-wp6LezY-Ck83l_i3D29LqIPNv797hWCw8AOGGzAyWXn19XazNj2ENlM7/s400/tui.jpg.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365218738713899474" border="0" /></a><br />
I am just getting over a nasty cold, which might have been the flu...and possibly even the <gasp!> <span style="font-style: italic;">swine flu</span>. Who knows? A <a href="http://www.google.co.nz/search?source=ig&hl=en&rlz=&=&q=cold+flu+symptoms&btnG=Google+Search&meta=lr%3D&aq=0s&oq=cold+flu+sympton">visit to the Internet to learn about how cold and flu symptoms </a>led to more confusion than clarity. Whatever it was, it knocked me on my ass for about three days.<br />
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Unfortunately, it appears that S has now contracted something and she's probably in for it as well...poor thing. She tried so hard not to get it - O.J., vitamins, etc. - but living with a sick person makes it practically impossible to avoid.<br />
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It's surprising that sickness was kept at bay as long as it has been, since everyone (and I mean <span style="font-style: italic;">everyone</span>) in my office has had an ailment in the recent weeks. <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/2368393/Swine-flu-in-New-Zealand-cases-confirmed">New Zealand proudly raised it's hand</a> early (not one to be left out, you know) to declare it had cases of the pig flu, and it's been spreading pretty handily ever since. Fortunately, for most people the symptoms seem to be relatively mild.<br />
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It has been a cold and wet winter here, conducive to sickness. People say it's worse than usual. I find this comment to be laughable, having heard it every year since coming here. Frankly, I've never thought Wellington's winters looked or felt anything other than miserable. Well, we wear shorts and jandals in the winter here (either pretending it's warm or <span style="font-style: italic;">willing </span>winter to go away?) so we may as well have other delusions. Whatever gets us through it, I suppose.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqk37cnmANpuxcLpx-u4-iKj861n0zR8gJs_1fn88RtyAuV_g8Zs-9XDomZPOTxIbKviTjBW48JEYIqnfG-6m7mU7kfsQlE1xe_Tg6O7iJvyuqMdkFjiGo0cxAKUeVSorqTa8U/s1600-h/Jitterati.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 123px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqk37cnmANpuxcLpx-u4-iKj861n0zR8gJs_1fn88RtyAuV_g8Zs-9XDomZPOTxIbKviTjBW48JEYIqnfG-6m7mU7kfsQlE1xe_Tg6O7iJvyuqMdkFjiGo0cxAKUeVSorqTa8U/s400/Jitterati.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365218864005400098" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;">http://jitterati.comicgenesis.com/<br />
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It's kind of funny, actually. I grew up in St. Louis, where at least once or twice a year you could expect a decent snow and temps well below freezing. Yet this is the first place I've ever worn a scarf. I wasn't even sure how to tie it. I was admiring the many scarves around town and emulated their treatments, which are apparently '<a href="http://www.texeresilk.com/cms-european_loop.html">European knots</a>". I have to admit that my scarf really is quite nice and warm -- one of those cozy possum-blend ones.<br />
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In related news....we also broke down and bought a dehumidifier, because the curtains in our bedroom were literally sopping wet each morning when we woke up due to heating the room and our exhaled moisture. I'm sure all that dampness hasn't been helpful in our efforts to avoid disease. Dehumidifiers are a common household appliance here, but, like hot water bottles and scarves, it's not something I've ever really needed. Always learning something new, eh? Too bad it cost $300.<br />
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There is hope however.<br />
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This week, we had a couple of days above 10° C (50° F), and it seems to be staying light out just a tiny bit longer now. Of course, now a veteran of Wellington's patterns, I recognize the warmer weather as simply toying with us. The final, crushing winter blow usually doesn't come until as late as October, just when you think you cannot take it anymore. Fortunately, we plan to be in the U.S. during that month so maybe we'll miss it.<br />
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Until then, I am keeping that scarf very handy.WShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13786230040791426709noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29526165.post-53211348032782542702009-07-12T18:48:00.009+12:002009-07-12T20:39:36.444+12:00My last couple of posts have been hard on Wellington, so I thought it would be nice to show a bit of it's nicer side.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9y5N6cxBxIpFhmQS4PoZLKafzI_erbGb44S_pf0L3hJghdVYoiuzC8z65AcrFCufNIo0bQfNoNDcat-O3BAwOSZeJCNLdejl0g3CcCH7PBOCP6040x8dainWWRhVtsZ0NtyRV/s1600-h/SlowBoat1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9y5N6cxBxIpFhmQS4PoZLKafzI_erbGb44S_pf0L3hJghdVYoiuzC8z65AcrFCufNIo0bQfNoNDcat-O3BAwOSZeJCNLdejl0g3CcCH7PBOCP6040x8dainWWRhVtsZ0NtyRV/s400/SlowBoat1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357486160505491362" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Slow Boat Records</span> as seen at night, image from Wikipedia.</span></span><br /></div><br />This post is also for my Dad, who recently asked me whether there are any good record shops here in Wellington. I wasn't surpised he would ask. You see, he's a music fanatic (<span style="font-style: italic;">really</span>) and always has been. I remember his collection of vinyl records was in the thousands and thousands at one point. It's safe to say that <a href="http://twentyfourhourdejavu.blogspot.com/">his musical tastes</a> solidified in the late 60's and early 70's, with bands like the Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, the Byrds. Iron Butterfly and of course the Beatles. I can remember going to<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peaches"> Peaches </a>record stores with him as a kid...and I seem to recall I hated his music. Not sure why, cuz now I find myself going to the library and checking out these albums. Nostalgia? Maybe. <br /><br />Of course, vinyl was hit hard with the advent of compact disks, at least in terms of retail sales. It's had a small resurgence in recent years, bolstered by sound purists and DJs. Still, it's a bit rare to see stores that has heaps of vinyl on the shelves. When you do see one, they usually come in two breeds...new stores that focus on club remixes, and older "institutions" that have been around for ages and continue <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Truckin%27">truckin'</a> along, doing what they have always done without regard for the fact that pop culture has been led astray.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqzEDVTDgptYeUIWnfySDbJNMMsGVfUs74VUjtB9JZw6zNemnNXbO7TfdOLQ_C_s7Dz6fQ5Hv1Sv0z4fCBkvaJfP35C2iVjitchl7Rfx30NHSfiUY3EcoCbDfKeTgT8Ve3Ur_S/s1600-h/Slowboat10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 185px; height: 247px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqzEDVTDgptYeUIWnfySDbJNMMsGVfUs74VUjtB9JZw6zNemnNXbO7TfdOLQ_C_s7Dz6fQ5Hv1Sv0z4fCBkvaJfP35C2iVjitchl7Rfx30NHSfiUY3EcoCbDfKeTgT8Ve3Ur_S/s400/Slowboat10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357487989570260034" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span>Slow Boat's sidewalk sandwich board...with their curious junk boat logo</span></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slow_Boat_Records_%28store%29">Slow Boat Records</a> is such an place. At 17 years old, it's billed as 'New Zealand's longest running independent record store'. Certainly it's got that old school demeanor. Appropriately located amid grungy Cuba Street (#183 to be exact)the shop feels like your classic, quirky treasure trove - crammed to the gills - and not just with vinyl LPs. They stock CDs, DVDs and other formats as well. Like most good stores of this vintage, Slow Boat's staff have earned a reputation for huge "institutional" knowledge, and it has a decent inventory to satisfy discerning music buffs. It's apparently a favourite haunt of not only the fans, but the music-makers: The Beastie Boys, Radiohead, Oasis, Derrick Carter, The Smashing Pumpkins, and Chris Isaak have stopped in for a wee browse, and they offer in-store performances on occasion (though I am not sure where they'd fit the band - it's quite crowded in there!).<br /><br />So, Dad and all you vinyl fans out there, add this to your places to visit in Wellington. I expect it would be right up your alley. To hold you over til then, check out their website to see the <a href="http://www.slowboatrecords.co.nz/top50/top50.htm">Slow Boat Essential 50 albums</a>, O’Brien’s ‘Platter Chatter’ 45s rundown, and the <a href="http://www.slowboatrecords.co.nz/inquisition/inquisition.htm">Slow Boat Inquisition</a> (which asks celebrity customers an array of probing questions).<br /><br />And next week, we'll shift from vinyl to paper with a look at the Wellington's used book stores...WShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13786230040791426709noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29526165.post-12877807365900290062009-06-26T08:23:00.007+12:002009-06-26T10:25:21.114+12:00Hard choices<div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLrVSeJCcihbU4vWTnXz7nCwXdGUIiEITzA-R5DWf4mLoneQ3pVT4_M7kMYd0zSBDEQ2mg9W-kjYDa9ovVVKTWQaSXq_iyi41XmdjwJxBJkFqBO1R0-XuYHI-8nFsd3JB1iJS9/s1600-h/hellholes.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 235px; height: 199px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLrVSeJCcihbU4vWTnXz7nCwXdGUIiEITzA-R5DWf4mLoneQ3pVT4_M7kMYd0zSBDEQ2mg9W-kjYDa9ovVVKTWQaSXq_iyi41XmdjwJxBJkFqBO1R0-XuYHI-8nFsd3JB1iJS9/s400/hellholes.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351380051058877714" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >What your money buys you in Wellington.</span><br /></div><br />A not-so-surprising interview on <a href="http://tvnz.co.nz/breakfast-news/breakfast-friday-26-june-2807909">Breakfast </a>today, <a href="http://blogs.nzherald.co.nz/blog/show-me-money/2009/6/23/dear-generations-x-and-y-leave-asap/?c_id=3">linked to an article in the NZ Herald</a>, seems to confirm much of what we have observed since coming to NZ.<br /><br />Even 'rich Americans' (did you know we're all rich? Yes, it's true!) like us can't afford to buy a house here, and that's with having some capital to invest from the sale of our previous home. Certainly many Kiwis believe that <a href="http://www.nzcpr.com/weekly115.htm">we (immigrants) are the reason</a> house prices are so high, and I do think that's a contributing factor, but it's only a part of the story.<br /><br />Mr. Hickey's assertion that this is a reciprocating cycle is spot-on. The <a href="http://www.national.org.nz/Article.aspx?ArticleID=9733">lack of a Capital Gains tax in NZ</a> means that there are no penalties for owning as many properties as you like. We rent from a landlord who owns four units in this apartment complex. Four! I'd be willing to bet she owns other properties as well. And on each of these, she's getting $500/week on average rent. $500! This is in Wellington, mind you - not New York, London or Paris. I can assure you that the average wage levels are not in proportion with cost of housing, and <a href="http://www.landlords.co.nz/read-article.php?article_id=3044">we're not the only ones feeling anxiety over it</a>.<br /><br />Another contributing factor is that landlords don't have to do much to their properties in terms of upkeep. They can be a complete hellhole and still be legal. When we were shopping for a place to rent, we saw many that were not fit for human habitation. So other than being able to charge more rent, there's no incentive (or legal requirement) for any further investment. Just buy it, then start raking in the cash. Not surprisingly, landlords react with outrage when the government tries to <a href="http://www.landlords.co.nz/read-article.php?article_id=3054">impose requirements</a> on them that will meet modern housing standards, threatening "...this will just lead to rent increases." Yeah, right mate like we can afford to pay you more.<br /><br />To be clear - landlords can afford to charge these rates because housing is in such limited supply, particularly in Wellington. One could argue that the market should naturally set rental prices, and I don't begrudge property investors from getting a return on their bets. But this is a case of the rich getting richer, with no checks and balances. It's really no wonder that Kiwis of all kinds are finding it tough to buy their own home.<br /><br />This all sounds like a load of <a href="http://www.answers.com/topic/whinge">whinging</a>, doesn't it? Maybe...<br /><br />As you can tell from the flavor of my last couple posts, I've decided that it's time to stop sugar-coating things on this blog and start looking at Aotearoa with a more critical eye. Why the change? Well, of course it's because I'm feeling a bit disgruntled. But also it was the surprising realisation that this blog has received 16,000 hits. Even if I subtract 10,000 of them, assuming they are friends, family, etc., that leaves 6,000 people who have visited. Some of them probably want to know what life is really like in NZ...and I mean <span style="font-style: italic;">living</span> here, not just being on holiday. Believe me, they are very different things.<br /><br />I honestly love some things about this country, but there are some things that trouble me. Increasingly, I am having difficult seeing a long-term future in NZ. Our closest friends here know I've been feeling this way for a while, but this may be news to some of you back home. Aotearoa is a beautiful place - some would argue one of the most beautiful places on earth - but pretty views alone can't sustain a person (unfortunately). <a href="http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0904/S00041.htm">New Zealand is looking out for itself</a>, and we have to as well. My thinking on life in NZ was that we would 'stay as long as we could' and when that was no longer feasible, well, it would be time to make some hard choices.WShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13786230040791426709noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29526165.post-69594837036118597172009-06-23T13:38:00.004+12:002009-06-23T13:43:47.408+12:00The Great Eye ......turns it's gaze back on the mother country...<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN_S2c0AhbqBWlAOJd7KkV5Cqfh0edy4ZjnWNhENkuxdCL_TCBfH-OyQ1wZ7k5WEWnvIX26vXUgiSUO1eVjUqcUOjAya7dirlhk1ztdpOvGYr-C2_fb1W-fcd4MM3Cg9Sfc0Iv/s1600-h/Econ+Stress+Index.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 281px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN_S2c0AhbqBWlAOJd7KkV5Cqfh0edy4ZjnWNhENkuxdCL_TCBfH-OyQ1wZ7k5WEWnvIX26vXUgiSUO1eVjUqcUOjAya7dirlhk1ztdpOvGYr-C2_fb1W-fcd4MM3Cg9Sfc0Iv/s400/Econ+Stress+Index.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350332117245201186" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The economic stress indicator is a visual guide to the state of the U.S. economy, using major economic indicators. See how your neighborhood is doing <a href="http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/files/specials/interactives/_national/stress_index/index.html?SITE=YAHOO&SECTION=HOME">here</a>.</span><br /></div>WShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13786230040791426709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29526165.post-12387012113400880912009-06-22T13:55:00.005+12:002009-06-22T14:27:12.916+12:00Not sure if this ad is playing in the States or not:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.steinlager.com/Heritage/Television-Commercial.aspx">Steinlager Beer Ad - "David and Goliath"<br /></a></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwE6nn41NIXeT0Xh1Q4rWQRf64nw4cvVE2uJan11uTooZjW5cRmrVdFqGstU9R27L8M_EWWXQC9t_EQjLPuDPEnbYKBILquSQOEyai5cdOQApEHFjORiJMVHji8Fzwe8YoeCDs/s1600-h/wanker.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 120px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwE6nn41NIXeT0Xh1Q4rWQRf64nw4cvVE2uJan11uTooZjW5cRmrVdFqGstU9R27L8M_EWWXQC9t_EQjLPuDPEnbYKBILquSQOEyai5cdOQApEHFjORiJMVHji8Fzwe8YoeCDs/s400/wanker.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349970258759239282" border="0" /></a>Mr. Dafoe earned the title 'wanker' years ago already for making the film "Triumph of the Spirit", one of the most God-awful pieces of crap films I have ever been subjected to. Yeah, yeah...I know it was critically acclaimed and all that...and it still sucked. But, anyhow, this confirms Mr. Dafoe's official wanker (my new favorite word) status.<br /><br />Don't get me wrong. I am opposed to nuclear weapons and the use of nuclear power for military purposes. As a <span style="font-style: italic;">political </span>statement, I am in agreement completely. What bothers me is that this is to sell <span style="font-style: italic;">beer</span>, even more confusing and irksome considering that NZ has for many years been struggling with <a href="http://www.gisborneherald.co.nz/Default.aspx?s=3&s1=2&id=11131">rampant alcholism</a>. So now beer is the symbol of freedom and all that's good, and America is Goliath to NZ's David. (Literally, the FLV video file for the ad is titled "David and Goliath"). For fun, here's <a href="http://www.lion-nathan.com.au/Files/Media-Releases/NZ-Brand-Release/2008-NZ-Brand-Releases/Steinlager%20Pure%20Dafoe_FINAL.pdf">a link to the media release</a>.<br /><br />It must be nice to hide behind the shield of moral superiority (and beer!), secure in the knowledge that if NZ were invaded unfairly and unable to fend for itself, there would never be any question about Australia (which also gets criticized by NZ for military spending) and the United States of America coming to their aid.<br /><br />I know it's a tough game to follow New Zealand, but do try to keep your eyes on the ball. Beer is responsible for a lot more of NZ's problems than America is at the moment. And before anyone posts whinging about Cultural Imperialism and how McDonald's are showing up everywhere in NZ, take a good look at who's waiting in line to buy the Happy Meals.<br /><br />And, to my readers in the U.S., please do let me know if that advertisement is playing there? I'll be very surprised if Steinlager's moral convictions were strong enough to risk endangering their export sales, but will eat my words here if so.<br /><br />Sorry for the rant. This kinda crap just bugs me.WShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13786230040791426709noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29526165.post-35846791567605468702009-06-13T15:12:00.003+12:002009-06-13T15:13:46.406+12:00Valley of the Mist<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnuwdpZQTBSmrWWAdYVXXdIP6b9zI8rbgxZ_0owOzUVyF0dTVZpvbGZhxo99ZWZAlUjiONufBF2H7BRpiEKP1SZ7eUGubeyYDxTJvUyT0J8CZrN440E28W7PhRXJLW11ei9rig/s1600-h/media1.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnuwdpZQTBSmrWWAdYVXXdIP6b9zI8rbgxZ_0owOzUVyF0dTVZpvbGZhxo99ZWZAlUjiONufBF2H7BRpiEKP1SZ7eUGubeyYDxTJvUyT0J8CZrN440E28W7PhRXJLW11ei9rig/s400/media1.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346644895433027042" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">20 June, 2009 - Photo of the day</span><br />Morning fog in the Karori valley<br /></div>WShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13786230040791426709noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29526165.post-39485473735830026722009-05-26T19:52:00.003+12:002010-07-01T11:54:13.928+12:00Pumpkin Pie<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMrRM7QNGltEPqYtdUEkNsE55hoiYr9kAUCzVx7Ec3zpV0FzNEbijDrDcNijlBCyWWE9hT6Q8O-BPchxpgQf4G0Cvav0OePWm81xR7ubU8EYTUH9vLv7nEVW7cBjh118q8b53e/s1600-h/Picture+002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMrRM7QNGltEPqYtdUEkNsE55hoiYr9kAUCzVx7Ec3zpV0FzNEbijDrDcNijlBCyWWE9hT6Q8O-BPchxpgQf4G0Cvav0OePWm81xR7ubU8EYTUH9vLv7nEVW7cBjh118q8b53e/s400/Picture+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340037560191256786" border="0" /></a><br />
Knowing that I am feeling a bit homesick, S made me this very tasty pumpkin pie. Notice the crust - also made from scratch - since they don't sell pre-made pie crusts at the supermarket in NZ. It came out perfect! ~WWShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13786230040791426709noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29526165.post-87928549535679582992009-05-21T11:49:00.029+12:002010-07-01T11:56:00.023+12:00Travels in Taranaki<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlO7_1_uR7xzy5SuJv_R46SW8FWRnnUUOh85KrYk4yCv3-KXt7lkEqRgeCoanxLC_eKPYecba3sdlUBKiw7Vw46F-31BWECs7ryvj4vLg_DLz4Fs57yPEkan2Ev26s2J1X4nca/s1600-h/Taranaki+Map.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 256px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlO7_1_uR7xzy5SuJv_R46SW8FWRnnUUOh85KrYk4yCv3-KXt7lkEqRgeCoanxLC_eKPYecba3sdlUBKiw7Vw46F-31BWECs7ryvj4vLg_DLz4Fs57yPEkan2Ev26s2J1X4nca/s400/Taranaki+Map.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338090312218852322" border="0" /></a>Last week, S and I traveled to the central west coast of the North Island, a region that is called Taranaki. It's named after a great volcano that sits right in the middle.<br />
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54IiVDgaUsKy840IomlT2l9KinGgCfKyaoD1_BBRIjoyC_Pea0LV6jb3_yPZKh02FcJ5lDvIrImP_mqqILf79pFKbGNm1UZnG4eKVdxXyNfkdHR-Cxy3VYTuETMZdNU0ZpjXf/s1600-h/taranaki+clouds.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 379px; height: 284px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54IiVDgaUsKy840IomlT2l9KinGgCfKyaoD1_BBRIjoyC_Pea0LV6jb3_yPZKh02FcJ5lDvIrImP_mqqILf79pFKbGNm1UZnG4eKVdxXyNfkdHR-Cxy3VYTuETMZdNU0ZpjXf/s400/taranaki+clouds.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338090549567333042" border="0" /></a>The mountain dominates the landscape with it's perfect shape and (often) snow-crested peak. This region was where much of the film <a href="http://www.newzealand.com/travel/about-nz/features/old-features/last-samurai-feature/last-samurai-feature-home.cfm"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Last Samurai </span></a>was made, with Taranaki serving as a convincing volcanic stand-in for Japan's Mt Fuji. The mountain is notorious for staying shrouded in clouds, a symptom of being so close to the ocean, and fitting for the legends that speak of its isolation.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvFQG5XuUH8e3t45MA2onTdIeCTVmc5ShNmPpPoegWmHxVZcVAaxakJL_gQ4UZ0gpvbS726YSKv2uMGjNmHFQpgcD5gbl4Z3E_Gf4zAnRFg8DhigaW8sQS2E8HLFwIAwgo61ON/s1600-h/tar-strat-malone.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 169px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvFQG5XuUH8e3t45MA2onTdIeCTVmc5ShNmPpPoegWmHxVZcVAaxakJL_gQ4UZ0gpvbS726YSKv2uMGjNmHFQpgcD5gbl4Z3E_Gf4zAnRFg8DhigaW8sQS2E8HLFwIAwgo61ON/s400/tar-strat-malone.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338104006942705106" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">"Yew, Me and Malone" - the Malone Memorial Gate in Stratford where a geocache eluded discovery much to my consternation.</span></span><br />
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The drive from Wellington takes about 5 hours, up the Kapiti coast through many small New Zealand towns. S patiently tolerated my request to stop in the town of Stratford so that I could investigate a potential hobby: <a href="http://www.geocaching.com/">geocaching</a>. I've never done geocaching, and am curious for both professional and personal reasons. Basically, it's like a treasure hunt where you use GPS coordinates to find a hidden object ("the cache"). From reading about it online, I knew there was one near the Malone Memorial Gate in Stratford, and figured it would be easy to find. Just one problem: My GPS device didn't really work properly (loaner from work) and the key clue was that it was "just hanging around" on a yew tree. What does a yew tree look like? Not a clue. We'll move on now...but rest assured I will return to this issue in the future. ;-)<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_KmBibl9elgmV-em_f14W_GmPxSLZ9jgtNVTM_crcX7DsKsqS6CrfTDbi-FRUcqMDPCnA1UVOf7ecH9xO2isTsyH8CVjmnvDypWCsfPqDtIVS3tuuQlcTHlsJti37wwOugZrq/s1600-h/Tawhiti+diorama1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 353px; height: 235px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_KmBibl9elgmV-em_f14W_GmPxSLZ9jgtNVTM_crcX7DsKsqS6CrfTDbi-FRUcqMDPCnA1UVOf7ecH9xO2isTsyH8CVjmnvDypWCsfPqDtIVS3tuuQlcTHlsJti37wwOugZrq/s400/Tawhiti+diorama1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338090830996067890" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">One of the many finely-crafted dioramas at Tawhiti Museum</span></span><br />
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</span></span>A more successful stop was in Hawera for a visit to the <a href="http://www.tawhitimuseum.co.nz/index.php">Tawhiti Museum</a>. This little gem is, in my opinion, perhaps the best museum in New Zealand that I have seen thus far.<br />
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Tawhiti Museum focuses on the history of the Taranaki region and uses an astonishing collection of carefully crafted and historically accurate dioramas to tell the story. The dioramas themselves are rich in detail and great fun to explore, ranging in size from tiny miniature scenes to life-size reconstructions using real objects and machinery. The detail in these scenes is captivating, and really bring the stories to life. Even more amazing is that the displays were largely constructed by one guy, and that it started off as a casual hobby!<br />
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I haven't had as much fun (or learned so much, for that matter) in a museum in a long time. As a museum professional myself, it was yet another reminder that exhibits don't have to be modern, cold, technology-laden sparklefests to be engaging. There wasn't a flatscreen in the place. In terms of graphics and design the presentation techniques were simple, even archaic, and I didn't mind at all. Highly recommended.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhN-rjaSzVMsT2bhV2D4OrVK4B8CWeTNTYp-tSrFPIMgvCCyJQidhGbuy22wg5E48M5zhVJaR5fhAbVX1Y_WjiNoSdXVkTs45YwecTILoq-1X5O-Se75uiyJhzPg0loP1yHJkE/s1600-h/Wilkes+Pools.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 347px; height: 461px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhN-rjaSzVMsT2bhV2D4OrVK4B8CWeTNTYp-tSrFPIMgvCCyJQidhGbuy22wg5E48M5zhVJaR5fhAbVX1Y_WjiNoSdXVkTs45YwecTILoq-1X5O-Se75uiyJhzPg0loP1yHJkE/s400/Wilkes+Pools.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338094569251280306" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Wilkes Pools in Egmont National Park</span> </span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">Our first day of outdoor adventures was in <a href="http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/national-parks/egmont/">Egmont National Park</a>, which surrounds Mt Taranaki in an <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fb/Mt_Taranaki_Drainage_System.jpg">almost perfect circle</a>. This is New Zealand's second oldest national park, established in 1900 (Tongariro was first). It was cold and there was plenty of snow around. First we tried to reach the ski plateau, but the roads were dubious so we turned around (I think seeing the campervan coming down the road backwards with the flailing woman screaming "We're slipping!" helped change our minds). Ultimately it probably was just was well, since the mountain was completely shrouded in mist and we probably would have seen nothing but white.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr4djY1Ltgb1r4f-G13yuXAqPoD5-xZWKRoimUZJslViBc0I3lPrAA5qAFvxIPS53HSDZrvsmW2UBuvy2JCRFGJMexU2oK4VvE5ikHRTG9MAWutQ8lYRk7FvhmjtBQsiqAFruv/s1600-h/dawson+falls+vc.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 229px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr4djY1Ltgb1r4f-G13yuXAqPoD5-xZWKRoimUZJslViBc0I3lPrAA5qAFvxIPS53HSDZrvsmW2UBuvy2JCRFGJMexU2oK4VvE5ikHRTG9MAWutQ8lYRk7FvhmjtBQsiqAFruv/s400/dawson+falls+vc.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338094079682950498" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Department of Conservation Visitor Centre</span></span><br />
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Instead, we headed over to the Dawson Falls area on the south side of the mountain. It was freezing and windy, but the sun came out and once we got into the bush it wasn't so bad. It had been raining a lot, though, so the tracks (trails for you Americans) were very, very wet. Sometimes it was more like walking in a stream. There's a DOC visitor centre there, and several <a href="http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/wanganui/taranaki-area/dawson-falls-short-walks/">short walks </a>around the area.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkapLhxiY7thIuTxU-2axEAbq8rP7hyesbfhKP1iweExdhaGf4jRROAxP1OCWse7GwhGn0Jod7q_JESYaDfhhximDdLkYFSg66m7IWpQ5YhQQprPD7Z8IoAckcdQzYmJuee4p0/s1600-h/goblin+forest.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 245px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkapLhxiY7thIuTxU-2axEAbq8rP7hyesbfhKP1iweExdhaGf4jRROAxP1OCWse7GwhGn0Jod7q_JESYaDfhhximDdLkYFSg66m7IWpQ5YhQQprPD7Z8IoAckcdQzYmJuee4p0/s400/goblin+forest.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338097375814551490" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Me in the Goblin Forest</span><br />
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This region gets a huge amount of rain, especially on the mountain slopes. As a result, everything gets covered in green mosses and lichens, hence the nickname 'goblin forests'.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3zjSY89xC4KjdhyphenhyphenYK3nIpaa1vWnUrRkKLoleHAuLm492C3NQVaf8M-uLLxVDW-nCf-nf5u8XBpBG1Ncha7Im1XrX9t0fed6HRqKDkKb3bP3JSb9L3gJi_G1d2oE6gshiiO4W9/s1600-h/dawson+falls.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 264px; height: 351px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3zjSY89xC4KjdhyphenhyphenYK3nIpaa1vWnUrRkKLoleHAuLm492C3NQVaf8M-uLLxVDW-nCf-nf5u8XBpBG1Ncha7Im1XrX9t0fed6HRqKDkKb3bP3JSb9L3gJi_G1d2oE6gshiiO4W9/s400/dawson+falls.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338095629161283442" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Wet rats at Dawson Falls</span></span><br />
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S used our <a href="http://www.craigpotton.co.nz/products/published/books/booktramping/daywalksinnewzealand">Day Walks of New Zealand </a>book (a gift from friends Anke and Jeroen - thanks again, guys!) to plan a route that linked several of the walks together and ended on the Kapuni Loop Track with a viewing of Dawson Falls. We got a bit wet, but it was worth it.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl0YOljO71ZR92BXI_Iz5vxZ7cTPA8KxL6gtFzbv3cgdTuthAoTNrW9Tk-_fSespucMc3Avgu5HnUra7tSwxYoy9Bhmts64ouVF36dVnir3R3aAdVCeDRPhXoW30T6XGD61Crr/s1600-h/Trees.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 203px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl0YOljO71ZR92BXI_Iz5vxZ7cTPA8KxL6gtFzbv3cgdTuthAoTNrW9Tk-_fSespucMc3Avgu5HnUra7tSwxYoy9Bhmts64ouVF36dVnir3R3aAdVCeDRPhXoW30T6XGD61Crr/s400/Trees.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338099241927799538" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Fall colour on the trees in Pukekura Park. There are few deciduous trees in NZ, so this was a treat for us North Americans, even if it was in May.</span><br />
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On our second day in the area, we wanted to be outdoors but perhaps a bit less soggy so we decided to visit <a href="http://www.pukekura.org.nz/index.php?page=the-park">Pukekura Park</a> in the city of New Plymouth (more on it in a moment). This world-class park covers about 52 hectares, and includes a mixture of botanic gardens, concert venues, small lakes, playgrounds, greenhouses and beautiful architectural landscaping. Among the highlights are <a href="http://www.newplymouthnz.com/VisitingNewPlymouth/EventVenues/TSBBowlOfBrooklands.htm">Bowl of Brookland</a>s, which is supposed to be a terrific concert venue (attracting such talent as Elton John).<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMSYv4na-MndTdLeV3ofv0MmDe2-9aMG-X_3zx8ADnpY1p1YHnZtxZ-7JnNvgLu3eVMmOLASnU4UtMYa2XikNQJSrX3HUQhyphenhyphenWtBs0HDKAHbXDcbzOVE3m3GWNxh_W_Je6YEgN6/s1600-h/Fernery+entrance.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 262px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMSYv4na-MndTdLeV3ofv0MmDe2-9aMG-X_3zx8ADnpY1p1YHnZtxZ-7JnNvgLu3eVMmOLASnU4UtMYa2XikNQJSrX3HUQhyphenhyphenWtBs0HDKAHbXDcbzOVE3m3GWNxh_W_Je6YEgN6/s400/Fernery+entrance.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338097690059032402" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Entrance to one of the greenhouses in Pukekura Park</span></span><br />
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There are ferneries and palm groves, with native and exotic plant specimen collections. The park also has some very old (and huge) trees in the park, including a 2,000 year old Puriri tree. It was a really nice and relaxing day.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB745YhsJ3A0xqmFNH5glZ9-eubVEXRGhqZWeUArHGfe57gqQ7kE6m7QBEIXXsSTQ1ED6iP6aMIbevtgMCwoGWA6qlxB1d0YkYAHb3GEzq-iViuUNyMbOnWAXOaXL6qiM7t7gw/s1600-h/pukekura-Waterfall.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 166px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB745YhsJ3A0xqmFNH5glZ9-eubVEXRGhqZWeUArHGfe57gqQ7kE6m7QBEIXXsSTQ1ED6iP6aMIbevtgMCwoGWA6qlxB1d0YkYAHb3GEzq-iViuUNyMbOnWAXOaXL6qiM7t7gw/s400/pukekura-Waterfall.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338098780435544418" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Lunched by this waterfall at Pukekura Park</span></span><br />
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUj6D0nQf0u3SZSCpJOQnHRDlIGG29b45Oay0zQdV8jaazsW1nCwRk2DA63Fgmo0bVJDJogTVvmOYQQsEgAbomourBMPwQcH6RHZ3GYAzbgryH8GmuG5AudAd1l07MObsF9uv5/s1600-h/park1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUj6D0nQf0u3SZSCpJOQnHRDlIGG29b45Oay0zQdV8jaazsW1nCwRk2DA63Fgmo0bVJDJogTVvmOYQQsEgAbomourBMPwQcH6RHZ3GYAzbgryH8GmuG5AudAd1l07MObsF9uv5/s400/park1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338101451318198642" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Tree ferns and a small pool in Pukekura Park</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Plymouth">New Plymouth</a> is the largest city in the region and was our base of operations for the weekend. It's one of the fastest-growing and prosperous cities in New Zealand, and it shows in the investment to infrastructure. They have a very nicely done waterfront walk that spans 7 kms of beachfront.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsGtIGKBfuWLmxd26z7t_yBujrfkFPh6XI0zI6hjpOQcgkRwbWbJXTfa7SP1Hbf8cALiory30MOb-H7MJCvzbb1_YV_k5FtDf5yeM9jBKoq079pxUyBx_61qRPUWKzHF2ZdhoH/s1600-h/coastal_walk.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsGtIGKBfuWLmxd26z7t_yBujrfkFPh6XI0zI6hjpOQcgkRwbWbJXTfa7SP1Hbf8cALiory30MOb-H7MJCvzbb1_YV_k5FtDf5yeM9jBKoq079pxUyBx_61qRPUWKzHF2ZdhoH/s400/coastal_walk.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338097997277374658" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">New Plymouth Coastal Walkway</span> </span></div><br />
Not surprisingly, I found myself liking NP better than Wellington, but it's easy to do when you are on holiday and don't have any cares. The parklands and other amenities do make for a nice city, but it still has a ways to go in terms of the restaurants, cafes and theatre venue offerings before it can wrest the culture capital title away. Still, they are making a good effort of it.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_3jhsM707hvKUNxMAhw_ZD8hpp6JoPJriPDPGTBoDpobbuteKnPcK5n87g_N_MJghosBiRpXJ7VRmBzMBQ1HagUYJ35QFvrMHnWvUMjcKoRljGLZYXmoojYAQG0_H9wXYcfZ/s1600-h/puke-ariki.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 291px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_3jhsM707hvKUNxMAhw_ZD8hpp6JoPJriPDPGTBoDpobbuteKnPcK5n87g_N_MJghosBiRpXJ7VRmBzMBQ1HagUYJ35QFvrMHnWvUMjcKoRljGLZYXmoojYAQG0_H9wXYcfZ/s400/puke-ariki.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338102030388652258" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Puke Ariki museum on the New Plymouth waterfront</span> </span></div><br />
There is a top-notch regional museum in the form of <a href="http://www.pukeariki.com/en/">Puke Ariki.</a> Superficially this place feels like a variation on <a href="http://www.tepapa.govt.nz/Tepapa/English/">Te Papa</a>, but closer examination shows they focus on regional Taranaki stories and topics around geology, flora and fauna, maori culture and colonial heritage/agriculture, etc.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkvOHxdItxnNKds0ig6l4xryNKaZ5-GiHnXleX0UAebUqWi3FF0AdO9lV9nxFj4pPiB8S792B5J0XLhgL5ZbsecPj-FGbrBFSJxfbP2BNrs0ecscfyGW0uHwiAUCQweTt36nib/s1600-h/shark.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 384px; height: 307px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkvOHxdItxnNKds0ig6l4xryNKaZ5-GiHnXleX0UAebUqWi3FF0AdO9lV9nxFj4pPiB8S792B5J0XLhgL5ZbsecPj-FGbrBFSJxfbP2BNrs0ecscfyGW0uHwiAUCQweTt36nib/s400/shark.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338099980977379922" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Giant shark welcomes us to Puke Ariki</span></span><br />
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When you enter the museum, you cannot miss the giant white shark suspended from the ceiling. This is a re-creation of the extinct <span style="font-style: italic;">Carchardon (Carcharocles) megalodon</span>, a prehistoric version of our modern great white shark that grew to over 18 meteres (59 feet) in length. These guys are among my favourite prehistoric beasties. A bit of trivia for you...the teeth of Megalodon are also found in the Southeastern U.S. and in fact it's the <a href="http://www.statefossils.com/ga/ga.html">official state fossil of Georgia</a>.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL4uBrj0_nqwjZOLagNXDm-jWn2mxjvPFCKUMpT5rAdQ-gLmhZ4imM4ij1lb0VfdNqQmt-q9RFaD3AacLD85cBDhMOZRXuucrhhhFDB-QUsjhO_9IWBEBkDminfR05plsKPKlQ/s1600-h/Moa.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 232px; height: 308px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL4uBrj0_nqwjZOLagNXDm-jWn2mxjvPFCKUMpT5rAdQ-gLmhZ4imM4ij1lb0VfdNqQmt-q9RFaD3AacLD85cBDhMOZRXuucrhhhFDB-QUsjhO_9IWBEBkDminfR05plsKPKlQ/s400/Moa.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338102327004463810" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Giant moa display in Puke Ariki</span> </span></div><br />
Our last night, we enjoyed dinner at the museum restaurant - Arborio - before heading back to Wellington the next day. Our route back took us around the western side of the mountain, termed the 'Surf Coast' because of the big waves and surfing beaches found there. And on that note, I leave you to ponder <a href="http://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/38962/surfing-with-whales-taranaki-coast">whether you would continue to surf in water with killer whales</a>.WShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13786230040791426709noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29526165.post-46179525632040666782009-05-07T19:16:00.003+12:002009-05-07T19:34:22.991+12:00Taranaki on the Horizon<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYGV4h9ch5zamBCIGtUPNNC9m1fV3lj52cCphz_PSEbsmj4PkAu1UrINsuQOihxFs0eKxqbmbRUwfpqNWgl8bc_X6JpAlI30Oi8u4LF1SWWtQshLy0tYCZ2beMOoIwhydG7mtn/s1600-h/071228.Mount.Egmont.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 323px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYGV4h9ch5zamBCIGtUPNNC9m1fV3lj52cCphz_PSEbsmj4PkAu1UrINsuQOihxFs0eKxqbmbRUwfpqNWgl8bc_X6JpAlI30Oi8u4LF1SWWtQshLy0tYCZ2beMOoIwhydG7mtn/s400/071228.Mount.Egmont.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332978655566280642" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">For my birthday weekend, we're traveling to Taranaki. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Taranaki">The mountain</a> has long been on my list of things to see in New Zealand. Inspired already, I offer you this short story...</span><br /><br />...which goes that Pihanga, the beauty of the central plateau, set her heart on red-hot Tongariro, spurning the gentle, zen-like Mt Taranaki. Majestic Ruapehu and sultry Ngauruhoe looked on in wonder as the mighty Mt Taranaki fled west, his sheer bulk carving the Whanganui River and his tears filling it into a raging torrent. He found his way to the coast and finally stopped, in a region which embraces him still and has since been known as Taranaki. <br /><br />Here, the rhythmic pounding of the ocean soothes his shattered ego, the strong westerly winds clear his mind and clouds provide a thick blanket when he's feeling morose. But sometimes, when the day dawns bright and clear, Mt Taranaki tosses aside his woes and holds his head high, parading his magnificent torso and icy crown, perfectly angled to be seen by Pihanga in the East. <br /><br />But his displays are for naught, as powerful Tongariro shields Pihanga's views, wrapping her in a cloak of cloud and ice. His fiery eruptions are a warning to Taranaki never to return, though legends say that one day he will, promising a clash of devastating proportions.WShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13786230040791426709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29526165.post-4734257618418533052009-04-26T11:50:00.010+12:002009-04-26T18:08:53.902+12:00Stonehenge Aotearoa<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJBoOdl_rLtzWL1t8GTQv1zdgsFdnfHEXoCRODYnFA3iJiwlg3MgEuhKS-YLhb0SO2F8Iib2OeeW6oihyphenhyphenut-WbfhVvOXSEhhow-D7oac7v4Hw8MVebmu1i0IIUHWkUg6NHiTvz/s1600-h/Stonehengesign.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 367px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJBoOdl_rLtzWL1t8GTQv1zdgsFdnfHEXoCRODYnFA3iJiwlg3MgEuhKS-YLhb0SO2F8Iib2OeeW6oihyphenhyphenut-WbfhVvOXSEhhow-D7oac7v4Hw8MVebmu1i0IIUHWkUg6NHiTvz/s400/Stonehengesign.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328782357216325682" border="0" /></a> Last weekend, Stacey and I took a short day trip up to the Wairarapa to see a sight that you'd hardly expect way down in the South Pacific - a Stonehenge.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcgViZk-J5WRD-Cby7nzJuh_gi6S8bc-99an2Apjji4SFUDxpzvcux4UtP7sbsLTUxZuLSf3aj_loowKA_TVhLWOnmd1vRzfj-2itQB4qrqFGv34YycwAXoGccDWvFu9NFGIja/s1600-h/2-view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 146px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcgViZk-J5WRD-Cby7nzJuh_gi6S8bc-99an2Apjji4SFUDxpzvcux4UtP7sbsLTUxZuLSf3aj_loowKA_TVhLWOnmd1vRzfj-2itQB4qrqFGv34YycwAXoGccDWvFu9NFGIja/s400/2-view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328872396844547250" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Stonehenge Aotearoa consists of 24 upright pillars, connected by lintels to form a circular structure 30 metres in diameter and approximately 4 metres high. </span><span style="font-style: italic;">Approximately 150 members of the <a href="http://www.astronomynz.org.nz/introduction/the-phoenix-astronomical-society.html">Phoenix Astronomical society</a> were involved at one time or another in the building of Stonehenge Aotearoa</span></span>.<br /><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span>A stone henge seems like a strange thing to see in New Zealand at first glance, but it's hardly surprising when you consider the origins of the country's European immigrants. Many of them hail from the U.K., and there's of course many cultural links through the Commonwealth. However, <a href="http://www.astronomynz.org.nz/stonehenge/">Stonehenge Aotearoa</a> is more than just a replica of the original. This stone henge is built to the same scale as the one in Salisbury, and is similar in design, but also incorporates features that tie to Babylonian, Egyptian, Polynesian and Maori starlore. The henge is based on real astronomy and mathematics, and can be used to keep track of dates, seasons, celestial bodies, etc.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvuJ3iHvIIMkl47Gl4PpVwLRVUhT8Vlj2U7gRw5x_ZtrICgMM7PUTX9yJRR4dD29-PQ7QL-89oe8glL0HCl50sear1ykZuHW1TKk8IIq09lXtcaABRLMOunO9t4kmSixyqg6wB/s1600-h/1-entry.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 325px; height: 147px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvuJ3iHvIIMkl47Gl4PpVwLRVUhT8Vlj2U7gRw5x_ZtrICgMM7PUTX9yJRR4dD29-PQ7QL-89oe8glL0HCl50sear1ykZuHW1TKk8IIq09lXtcaABRLMOunO9t4kmSixyqg6wB/s400/1-entry.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328867112956018786" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Entrance to the stone circle is via a <span>causeway</span> which has a line of standing stones to either side. Two large carved pillars, one to either side of the entrance to the causeway, form the <span>Sun Gate</span>. Seen from the centre of the Henge the Sun rises in this gateway on the morning of the spring equinox.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzov-2M8jdQTkGJFucgwwEqr_RH0K98l6oxFZbSRik4szy51CxczKYdNdEpL1jeujczGH9pu8XfFZGaGIJ2AT-3ipYpo9xJMhfknMoSnBMvFABlVy0Au8mVt7ENVaYUF5WMWlk/s1600-h/6-obelisk.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 156px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzov-2M8jdQTkGJFucgwwEqr_RH0K98l6oxFZbSRik4szy51CxczKYdNdEpL1jeujczGH9pu8XfFZGaGIJ2AT-3ipYpo9xJMhfknMoSnBMvFABlVy0Au8mVt7ENVaYUF5WMWlk/s400/6-obelisk.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328875316271860530" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Near the centre of the Henge is a 5-metre-high </span><span style="font-style: italic;">obelisk</span><span style="font-style: italic;">. Half an hour to either side of local noon the obelisk casts a shadow on the </span><span style="font-style: italic;">analemma</span><span style="font-style: italic;">, a 10-metre-long stone tiled area that runs along the meridian south of the obelisk, telling you the date a </span></span><br /></div><br />Why the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wairarapa">Wairarapa</a>, one might ask? Well, for one thing, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_pollution">light pollution</a> is much less of a problem there. When you get too close to larger cities, the light actually makes it harder to see the stars. This is why so many of the older observatories in major cities are less effective these days for seeing all but the largest (and brightest) celestial objects. They're still good for education because they are close to the population, but if you really want to see the stars, you have to get far away from towns. I will never forget on our camping trip to the Whanganui River, looking up at the stars and seeing the milky way for the first time. Really seeing it. "Wow, so that's what it looks like!" New Zealand is a great place for stargazing.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8YUfFuUJkYOdFJrJhOtCMWbUhHzRIgEU9L2gV_U5O9dyt6-hw6p5n6R_Nb6gczbtE_w_Tv9lPYlWAIYwDiLpV7si9iQ4nqSxXtHKlj9i763TuPnfHeCffToH3uaBzRtFYRi8F/s1600-h/5.observatory.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 176px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8YUfFuUJkYOdFJrJhOtCMWbUhHzRIgEU9L2gV_U5O9dyt6-hw6p5n6R_Nb6gczbtE_w_Tv9lPYlWAIYwDiLpV7si9iQ4nqSxXtHKlj9i763TuPnfHeCffToH3uaBzRtFYRi8F/s400/5.observatory.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328872779022158466" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >The beginnings of a modern astronomical observatory, which would make a fine educational addition. The operators of the henge also have plans to add a roman orrery and other standing stones, as well as landscaping features, to the site. </span><br /><br />The <a href="http://www.astronomynz.org.nz/history/history.html">Phoenix Astronomical Society</a>, builders of the stone henge, use it as an educational tool to inspire visitors to explore and experience for themselves how technologies of ancient times were used to give practical and detailed information on the seasons, time and navigation. The site owners are also looking at increasing the offerings to include a large-scale, modern observatory. Near the stone henge sits a metal frame and what looks like the beginnings of a building foundation. With any luck (and no doubt some funding from generous sponsors), one day both the ancient and modern versions will stand side-by-side. Until then, the club has plenty of smaller but very powerful telescopes which they bring out for their members and visitors to enjoy. If you are in the area during one of their evening events, you might want to "pop on over for a nosy." (one of New Zealand's least endearing phrases...but it fits.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvGp2vUlcaBwOOSW-piJtRwo8Me0p985k_qO_CiI37tGAhzB9RQk4WGLocZ4mKX_9NoJwE8MortLHynPqBYAvGrMjhJcYPiBIGMOlMaJ6iShmInLzKkHXb7hOSLvh82dfU1RA8/s1600-h/4-spookhouse.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvGp2vUlcaBwOOSW-piJtRwo8Me0p985k_qO_CiI37tGAhzB9RQk4WGLocZ4mKX_9NoJwE8MortLHynPqBYAvGrMjhJcYPiBIGMOlMaJ6iShmInLzKkHXb7hOSLvh82dfU1RA8/s400/4-spookhouse.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328874281002922882" border="0" /></a><br />I close with this photo of a very spooky abandoned house, just visible from the stone henge site. It reminded me of Illinois and Halloween. But not quite enough to want to jump over the fence and go explore it inside...creepy!WShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13786230040791426709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29526165.post-27502529746398132072009-03-27T10:06:00.006+13:002010-07-01T11:57:17.648+12:00Non-eventsHi everyone. I've not posted in so long - sorry! A lot has been happening, but really nothing hugely significant. Perhaps most important, we moved house in February. We now live in the neighborhood of Mount Victoria, which is on the edge of the city. As the name implies, it's on a hill (not a mountain, really). We live about midway up the hill, at the top line of where houses stop. It's a bit of a hike to get up the hill each night but supposedly we will have buns of steel once it's done. Whatever. It's only temporary, so I can deal with it. <br />
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Speaking of this, we signed a 6-month lease. We didn't want to make too long of a commitment, just because there was still some discussion about possibly buying a house. Assuming the landlord is cool with it, I expect we'll be here at least a year though. <br />
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic3eGEXuP6hTKxp3zji8h7QyfDovwJX96cVjL8EIIKwKDIlVpCga82ypCky0lMD4J_JZT2OA_HuVRUctE79cLo23Pg8tGRzEpyB1Pe3RgoVr2-yBw-FCflVRT14J8uToI8XHCF/s1600-h/majoribank2-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic3eGEXuP6hTKxp3zji8h7QyfDovwJX96cVjL8EIIKwKDIlVpCga82ypCky0lMD4J_JZT2OA_HuVRUctE79cLo23Pg8tGRzEpyB1Pe3RgoVr2-yBw-FCflVRT14J8uToI8XHCF/s400/majoribank2-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317610950751919218" /></a><br />
<span style="font-style:italic;">View of our street</span><br />
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The upside to this new place is that it's walking distance to work. Takes about 15 minutes. Morning walk isn't bad (downhill!). We're close to theaters, etc. which is good for S. The place also backs up to parkland, so there's lots of trees and it actually doesn't feel like you're in the city.<br />
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Other news...<br />
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S has been very active with the Wellington Film Society as of late, and quite enjoying it. They have started their new season, and the committee has been working hard to engage new members. Generally, attendance at their screenings is already pretty strong but this is looking to build the audience with a bit of outreach. Anyone into film in Wellington should check out their <a href="http://www.filmsociety.wellington.net.nz/index_2.html">online schedule</a>.<br />
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I am volunteering at <a href="http://www.sanctuary.org.nz/">Zealandia: the Karori Sanctuary Experience</a> (formerly the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary) In particular, I am hoping to become a frontline tour guide. Not only is it of personal interest, but it's also good professional development for me working in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heritage_interpretation">heritage interpretation</a>. The training is actually pretty intense, at least time-wise, requiring us to be there every Sat and Sun for a month! It's good, though as this sort immersion really helps you get into the subject matter. Although they've never said it, I would guess that this also helps weed out anyone not serious about following through with the commitment. Beyond the training, we agree to volunteer at least 8 hours a month at the sanctuary. Initially, I expect to be just a helper, perhaps in the visitor centre, at the park entrance or perhaps as a roving guide. Once everyone is feeling more confident in our abilities, we 'graduate' to leading an actual tour.<br />
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There's heaps of other stuff - work, etc. that's all adding up to keeping us really busy. One thing I'm working on is the organising of a national conference on interpretation: <a href="http://www.innz.net.nz/Conference09/Conference09.html">Some Like it Hot - 15-18 Sept 2009</a>. It's been fun and a good excuse to meet so many people from around Wellington and other parts of the country. The conference is the first of it's kind in NZ, and a collaborative effort between the <a href="http://www.innz.net.nz/index.html">Interpretation Network New Zealand</a> and the <a href="http://www.interpretationaustralia.asn.au/">Interpretation Australia Association</a>. Anyone, sorry to "talk shop" so much. I know this stuff will bore many of my readers to tears, but a few of you from my Museum years will find it interesting. <br />
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit7lBtErjK-Vzks2XSdz8w6XckXS5PXPzcV-5U50uxxKsfNs7KUHrFqqkddKL4a8p4qv6iaU7uHAZBd5ewe3shXCntUuLJ7IA_mut7k4WN7GOxUSRIGLtCn4K0PkfwS1lFT-9p/s1600-h/image_8521783.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 285px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit7lBtErjK-Vzks2XSdz8w6XckXS5PXPzcV-5U50uxxKsfNs7KUHrFqqkddKL4a8p4qv6iaU7uHAZBd5ewe3shXCntUuLJ7IA_mut7k4WN7GOxUSRIGLtCn4K0PkfwS1lFT-9p/s400/image_8521783.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317625951383272930" /></a><br />
<span style="font-style:italic;">Fernbank is reconstructing the past again - go check it out Atlantans!</span><br />
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Speaking of museums, hats-off and congrats go out to Fernbank Museum of Natural History for bringing to fruition the <a href="http://www.accessatlanta.com/arts/content/arts/stories/2009/03/15/fernbank_atlanta_dino_rebuild.html">dinosaur exhibit</a> in front of the building! Believe it or not, guys, I do keep up with your activities and was very excited to see this become a reality (it was only an idea when I was there...) The dinosaurs look GREAT from the photos, and I love the fact they are going to be bronzed. They will look spectacular in front of the buildin -- Can't wait to see them in person. BUT <minor gripe> I was disappointed to see no <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deinosuchus"><span style="font-style:italic;">Deinosuchus</span></a> in the scene! I do miss dinosaurs being a prominent part of my life, I must say. I think next time I'll post a bit about dinosaurs in NZ. Yes, we do have them but they are much more obscure...but still some great stories there, especially about the people involved in their discoveries. <br />
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On Monday, I intend to book my flights for a trip back to the U.S. which is slated for October. This has been my plan all along, but I needed to confirm it was workable at my job and also figure out how to pay for it. Looks like the ticket is going to be with frequent flyer miles (left over from the last trip, and also some donated by my Mom - thanks Mom!) I am SOOOOO ready to go home. Seriously homesick and very excited that it will be in October (Proper fall weather! A real Halloween!). The plan is to do a week in Atlanta so I can catch up with my Southern peeps then head north to St. Louis to see the Yanks.<br />
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It will be really great to see everyone. For one thing, neither S nor I have spent time with our nieces, and my nephew is practically a teenager! How did this happen?? It will also be interesting to see how they regard me -- have I changed? (My cousin says my voice has changed but what else?) How will I see the U.S. now that I will have been away 3 years? And, perhaps more importantly, how will NZ look by comparison? Going to be an interesting trip. <br />
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OK kids, gotta run. Just wanted to say hi and hope everyone is doing well. <br />
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I'll close with a link to a funny blog -- <a href="http://fushnchups.co.nz/">http://fushnchups.co.nz/</a> -- that comes to us from some Australians living in NZ. There's a term here called 'taking the piss' out of something, which is loosely akin to making fun of it, and this forms the core of their blog. It's generated quite a stir lately, especially among Kiwis without any sense of humour, and highlighted the old NZ-Oz rivalries. I suppose it's not very nice of an American to fuel the fire by distributing it, but the spectacle is too fun to keep to myself. Besides, with American bashing being so popular here, I have to admit it's nice to see NZ get a dose of this bitter medicine from someone else once in a while. Don't worry about them, though - they are staunch and can take it. <br />
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<a href="http://www.rovedaily.com.au/the-show.htm"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizQA4IIM0Zi_t0r_Zr7mMLSDE8d_OEEG4mDFP5pikhGUspGEcavAi5vFY9Oi2PcdikmO6S6F1TgD8LAClB2HvAab69sc0n0b4BCwDxIPE5rGEqDL7fl0K0bl3i3trqydmK0BOr/s1600-h/RD_header_new.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 102px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizQA4IIM0Zi_t0r_Zr7mMLSDE8d_OEEG4mDFP5pikhGUspGEcavAi5vFY9Oi2PcdikmO6S6F1TgD8LAClB2HvAab69sc0n0b4BCwDxIPE5rGEqDL7fl0K0bl3i3trqydmK0BOr/s400/RD_header_new.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317625492514005666" /></a></a><br />
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Oh, one LAST thing, speaking of Australians...our new fav show from Oz which you Yanks can check out on the internet is <a href="http://www.rovedaily.com.au/home.htm">ROVE</a>. Highly recommended, very funny. Check it out. My favourites are <a href="http://video.google.com/videosearch?source=ig&hl=en&rlz=&q=hamish+and+andy&lr=&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=Yf_LSYWZEIH0sAO07pWcCg&sa=X&oi=video_result_group&resnum=4&ct=title#">Hamish and Andy</a>.WShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13786230040791426709noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29526165.post-58152087354193878202009-02-20T16:36:00.001+13:002009-02-20T16:37:30.857+13:00When you come to Wellington......don't forget your stretchy pants!!!<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/dhRRB0WUrds&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/dhRRB0WUrds&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>WShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13786230040791426709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29526165.post-7306945901095235562009-01-24T11:14:00.035+13:002010-07-01T11:57:41.416+12:00Cutting BaitToday's post title refers partially <a href="http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/137650.html">a phrase that originated in the U.S.</a>, which we often referred to when talking about our situation here in New Zealand. It seemed to apply...sort of...<br />
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We're now at the 2 1/2 year mark on the NZ adventure. I have promised for a while to do a post on our 'state of affairs' here, but kept procrastinating. I actually had written a <span style="font-style: italic;">very </span>long entry on this subject...but have subsequently deleted it, deciding it was too much information. Instead, thought I'd try a more summarised approach...which is still too long. /sigh<br />
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Not much new has happened. Jobs are the same. We're moving again soon (anyone know a good 2-bed, 2-bath rental in Wellington CBD?). We move every year. In related news, we have officially decided not to buy a house here. Houses are too expensive and not worth what you have to pay for them in Wellington. Instead, we are going to rent again - this time most likely back in the CBD (not the suburbs). The downside to this is that we'll be in the concrete jungle again, but the upside is that we'll be in walking distance to work (and just about everything else, including cafes, restaurants, theatres, bookstores and the waterfront). Urban living does have some benefits. In addition to value-for-money being a factor in our decision not to buy a house, the economic downturn is also a factor. Put simply, we don't feel comfortable tying up all our savings in a house at this time.<br />
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This decision is a paradigm shift for sure. Up to fairly recently, my strategy and thinking had been to work towards permanent settlement in New Zealand. That is no longer the plan. That's not to say it won't happen, it's just saying that I'm not working towards it (or pining after it) any more. I guess we'll just stay as long as we can -- as long as there's work to pay the bills. Although homesickness is deeply entrenched at this point (for me), the phrase 'you can never go home' also comes to mind. Things are a mess everywhere (economy) so for now it's best to just stay put and enjoy the scenery.<br />
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The realisation that things were going nowhere here was more than a little unsettling, but it was also liberating. It feels good to stop wondering if you are supposed to be doing something, to be going somewhere, working towards <span style="font-style: italic;">something</span>. I personally have struggled a lot finding my sense of identity here (S less so) and have spent far too much time and effort in search of some intangible establishing of roots and finding my sense of place.<br />
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More of a go-with-the-flow approach will do me some good. I need to take advantage of the benefits of not being tied down to a house with all of the responsibilities that entails. I also need to see more of NZ while I have the opportunity, and not waste too much time sitting in Wellington. We plan to travel more, see more of the country -- and also perhaps Asia and more of Australia. Lastly, I have a trip back to the U.S. planned for October, 2009. I am looking forward to seeing friends and family again.<br />
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In two weeks is the <a href="http://www.cubastcarnival.co.nz/page/home.aspx">Cuba Carnival</a>, which <a href="http://aotearoadreaming.blogspot.com/2007/02/cuba-street-carnival.html">we attended way back in 2007</a> not long after our arrival. S and I have booked a hotel room on Cuba street for the weekend so we'll be right in the middle of the craziness. Music and mojitos are on the menu and it should be a good kick-off to our 2009.<br />
<blockquote></blockquote>WShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13786230040791426709noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29526165.post-91857452556581812382009-01-10T09:05:00.006+13:002009-01-11T14:22:49.804+13:00What's on his playlist?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhr4Jt67AEZQ4_2ka5u0woGZkGZNKB9UH-KNZg5qglxHpJxcRjclBHQlVCP6drEEHc4JqsoZEXBh2ZnlTQs6xGD8fJrY0IZsVkHdmSQD0Y6SO7wvkyZf84gAb3yvPOied9tuME/s1600-h/Picture+002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 253px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhr4Jt67AEZQ4_2ka5u0woGZkGZNKB9UH-KNZg5qglxHpJxcRjclBHQlVCP6drEEHc4JqsoZEXBh2ZnlTQs6xGD8fJrY0IZsVkHdmSQD0Y6SO7wvkyZf84gAb3yvPOied9tuME/s400/Picture+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289391169010300850" border="0" /></a><br />We were horrified when <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_and_balanced#Slogan">Fox News</a> started airing in New Zealand last year. We endure enough punishment from Kiwis about our nationality without Bill O'Reilly and that moron Sean Hannity making things worse. But, one unexpected side benefit is that we occasionally get to see Stacey's friend from college <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,1232,00.html">Jonathan Serrie</a> (aka Karim) doing one of his hard-hitting exposés. Jonathan keeps an <a href="http://onthescene.blogs.foxnews.com/author/jonathanserrie/">online blog of his journalistic adventures</a> which some of you might enjoy and find informative.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Uthtf_JMLYy-za6-u9TokY25nZPTj_tGc1pFm0xd_5Ss7MGxZKn_WTkdOdvLJnE_RCqaXNDZzfbPBsQQpFZlQTzKFQqRqCDaqj1izjJOH9huZYSJB8sxfjaRtwcLMVs3dGeO/s1600-h/jonathanserrie.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 522px; height: 40px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Uthtf_JMLYy-za6-u9TokY25nZPTj_tGc1pFm0xd_5Ss7MGxZKn_WTkdOdvLJnE_RCqaXNDZzfbPBsQQpFZlQTzKFQqRqCDaqj1izjJOH9huZYSJB8sxfjaRtwcLMVs3dGeO/s400/jonathanserrie.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289391154712045922" border="0" /></a><br />Jonathan's a very talented and dedicated reporter, despite our feelings about his employer. But he hasn't quite made it big time yet and we know this because he doesn't have his <a href="http://stereogum.com/archives/anderson-cooper-americas-indie-rock-cable-news-anc_002626.html">playlist available online</a>. Get with it, Jonathan! Everyone knows the real measure of a journalist these days is what they have on their iPod.<br /><br />Seriously though - keep up the good work. Next time we're back in Atlanta we look forward to having some margaritas and cheese dip with the old gang. In the meantime, stay clear of those right-wing nutjobs you work with! =)WShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13786230040791426709noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29526165.post-9756705144404964992009-01-07T07:35:00.002+13:002009-01-07T07:43:14.606+13:00Bright Ideas from Nelson, New ZealandRoss Inness-McLeish, Jack Tippler and Ollie Neas of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alma_mater">Nelson Boys College </a>produced this short film "Bright Ideas" to showcase the school's campaign to reduce energy use. Not only inspirational but fun, so thought I'd share with you. I also wondered if Ian (Stacey's Dad) would enjoy seeing what his <span style="font-style: italic;">alma mater</span> is up to these days (NBC is where he went to school as a kid!).<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/rjvmQfI6k8Y&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/rjvmQfI6k8Y&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>WShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13786230040791426709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29526165.post-68764411502256804102009-01-05T20:41:00.005+13:002010-07-01T11:58:04.704+12:00Welly-Bolly-Wood<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8C7_mQAmbdd4euZizgyP-U6KPTcW5d9SIoDUTog10zfrfmitDDnKkzmotnItJHORVFq5KoClSSi4x1DVW5ha7sn-MZC_hl61PuiAjnG-xsCVBpjoAI4eVOmwBmGCGGv19FR1C/s1600-h/Bollywood+Party+012.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 208px; height: 279px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8C7_mQAmbdd4euZizgyP-U6KPTcW5d9SIoDUTog10zfrfmitDDnKkzmotnItJHORVFq5KoClSSi4x1DVW5ha7sn-MZC_hl61PuiAjnG-xsCVBpjoAI4eVOmwBmGCGGv19FR1C/s400/Bollywood+Party+012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287714874233887218" border="0" /></a>This year, S's Christmas work function was a Bollywood theme, and I thought I'd share with you a photo of her looking beautiful in her fab outfit! She opted for this Salwar Kameez rather than a Saree, thinking it would be easier to put on and more comfortable. And, she's not a dress / skirt kinda girl as some of you know. Certainly it was easy to put on, and she described it as 'like wearing pajamas' which sounds pretty comfortable to me! She got very lucky with some borrowed jewelry accessories from a friend that matched the colours perfectly. Incidentally, we can recommend a good store for traditional Indian dress over in <a href="http://www.newtownfestival.org.nz/">Newtown</a>.<br />
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Now for some further elaboration on the significance of costumes in Wellington...<br />
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Costume parties are hugely popular in this city, so much so that it supports no less than four large costume shops for a population under 500,000. Kiwis call them 'dress up' parties. My understanding is that Wellington is somewhat unique among New Zealand towns in it's enthusiasm for dressing up.<br />
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A major dress-up event is <a href="http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0802/S00012.htm">Wellington's Rugby Sevens</a>. On the day of this event, the streets are teeming with masquerading fans parading around. The costumes range from very clever, to weird, to borderline obscene. It's even gotten the attention of the comparatively liberal police force who now threaten to <a href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10489343">punish</a> anyone who goes too far with their costume and dares show it off on the streets of Courteney Place<br />
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No time of year or holiday is immune. Christmas parties are very often themed and costume-oriented. S's Xmas party last year was a Love Boat theme. I was skeptical up until the moment we walked in the door. Put simply, the concept of a costume Christmas party was completely alien to me. And, interestingly, Halloween is a <a href="http://www.movingtonz.com/Halloween.htm">muted affair</a> here. This may be because it's an American import, regarded with suspicion as an attempt at commercialisation. To be fair, that is probably justified. It's just surprising considering the Welly infatuation with masquerade.<br />
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Stranger still is the assumption that parties will most likely be themed, even when it's not mentioned on the invitation. For instance, we were once invited to 'Party Like a Rock Star' but it was not until speaking with another invitee in advance of the party that I realised it was dress-up. He asked me what I was going as...my reaction was 'huh?". Then he proudly told me he was going as Elton John.WShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13786230040791426709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29526165.post-834732415403064222009-01-03T14:04:00.013+13:002010-07-01T11:59:00.644+12:00SummerIt's hard to believe that it's 2009 already! Happy New Year!<br />
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Those of you in the northern hemisphere are enduring winter now, but for us it's summer holiday here and we've been trying to get outdoors a bit! There have been lots of little trips and happenings over the past few months which I thought would be fun to share with you guys...<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">WAIRARAPA COAST</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">Last weekend, we did a day trip to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wairarapa">Wairarapa's</a> eastern coastline. The trip was supposed to be an overnighter, but I forgot the tent so that was called off! Oh well. Truth be told, the campground was so incredibly crowded that I wasn't keen on it anyway. My goal with camping is to get away from people--not closer to them. But for most Kiwis, camping is a social thing involving large groups of family and friends all getting together for BBQ'ing <span style="font-style: italic;">en masse</span>. The campground was covered in huge tents and RVs of every kind. So, it wasn't a huge disappointment to skip it.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmzZu-ky64kI7p3a4qpNPevKseogxNg1FC-CP5z0oK09fX9_LCSSHL5vvoXiHgAVdbrOai_xohbstVDdMVGjcHvoqtJBbyabh1KF6RU8_sZ4GVqSpeJikj0a3iMYcE_e36iETN/s1600-h/lighthouse+steps.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 138px; height: 247px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmzZu-ky64kI7p3a4qpNPevKseogxNg1FC-CP5z0oK09fX9_LCSSHL5vvoXiHgAVdbrOai_xohbstVDdMVGjcHvoqtJBbyabh1KF6RU8_sZ4GVqSpeJikj0a3iMYcE_e36iETN/s400/lighthouse+steps.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286920588862051378" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Only 250 steps to go...</span></span><br />
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We didn't waste the trip, however, and did some sightseeing in the area. First we visited <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Palliser">Cape Palliser</a> where we climbed some 250 rickety steps to Cape Palliser Lighthouse. Built in 1897, the lighthouse originally ran on oil and required an attendant, until conversion to electricity and automation in 1987. It continues to provide guiding flashes of light every 20 seconds which can be seen up to 48 kilometres away.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMA4Upwj1wUTYvkBNGRQiPNFdZ9Eru2DNbQ1rG1S95_NgDaO9MlwqAqrQfbdH7UGN_EErG8CiD3oJNq68S14twvAKB3I3q4EeGB8WtdCra9cCIVQvo-judtkExADscbQMBoKIQ/s1600-h/lighthouse.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 146px; height: 259px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMA4Upwj1wUTYvkBNGRQiPNFdZ9Eru2DNbQ1rG1S95_NgDaO9MlwqAqrQfbdH7UGN_EErG8CiD3oJNq68S14twvAKB3I3q4EeGB8WtdCra9cCIVQvo-judtkExADscbQMBoKIQ/s400/lighthouse.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286920594765936082" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Cape Palliser lighthouse</span> </span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF3uEt83__lhS0g4ablmE9WCpkU_hbYkPoP-xNtJTgx1bwKfcAVBY2RjWAbihAYJRqTt9pQBC0KMgkD1DKxdSYbaxJdsYA-DXKGlyqI2v-WulT9nSh-VSucYSogHOKCUaTNPFq/s1600-h/palliser+bay.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 335px; height: 188px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF3uEt83__lhS0g4ablmE9WCpkU_hbYkPoP-xNtJTgx1bwKfcAVBY2RjWAbihAYJRqTt9pQBC0KMgkD1DKxdSYbaxJdsYA-DXKGlyqI2v-WulT9nSh-VSucYSogHOKCUaTNPFq/s400/palliser+bay.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286920598694898178" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">View from the lighthouse platform</span></span><br />
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQzUfRkcRbf0v1Tnn5TALywnbbPhaS7EX6VdItGUFrz8_Zd-Wb-WRSvADypWJV7HB7XHMkyhZYalTxhbUo4zWA9UMTCJmc__irfdD-0OqWY4RLix49OaxJ-XZ2AfAX5uhWR0n/s1600-h/stacey+lighthouse.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 192px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQzUfRkcRbf0v1Tnn5TALywnbbPhaS7EX6VdItGUFrz8_Zd-Wb-WRSvADypWJV7HB7XHMkyhZYalTxhbUo4zWA9UMTCJmc__irfdD-0OqWY4RLix49OaxJ-XZ2AfAX5uhWR0n/s400/stacey+lighthouse.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286923507853413554" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">S enjoying the view</span></span><br />
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There are great views of Palliser Bay and the coastline from the platform. This area is also the site of a permanent colony of <a href="http://www.teara.govt.nz/EarthSeaAndSky/SeaLife/Seals/5/en">New Zealand fur seals</a>, which are easily seen (and smelled) from the shoreline.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc0t4kANGOMA-41Cxqo5TFN8F93gd0s4jK_xKfl8l6lEC-Z1KiXJm2QOjiEAh2AR16pSfBS8p44tYdR9ynGkbRRKa4_ZYYk03cBthBiRboh9INNyhx_Fkc1_JuX6ie1ZTKTS9h/s1600-h/pinnacles2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc0t4kANGOMA-41Cxqo5TFN8F93gd0s4jK_xKfl8l6lEC-Z1KiXJm2QOjiEAh2AR16pSfBS8p44tYdR9ynGkbRRKa4_ZYYk03cBthBiRboh9INNyhx_Fkc1_JuX6ie1ZTKTS9h/s400/pinnacles2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286920605304801154" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Putangirua Pinnacles</span></span><br />
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We also took a walk to see the <a href="http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-visit/wellington/wairarapa/aorangi-forest-park/features/putangirua-pinnacles/">Putangirua Pinnacles</a> located in <a href="http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-visit/wellington/wairarapa/aorangi-forest-park/">Aorangi Forest Park</a>. These strange rock formations are caused by water erosion, creating a 'badlands' appearance that looks like something out of the western United States. This area was one of the filming locations for the '<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paths_of_the_Dead">Paths of the Dead</a>' sequence in Lord of the Rings: Return of the King. The eerie, other-worldly feeling that the pinnacles convey was a perfect fit for simulating a haunted passage under Tolkien's ficticious White Mountains.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-CkT9TvLuV07_TqtMl81yEH8Zt5I9foke9GWh93RucRTa2HtIqWU8eo7-OSY4ioATzBJWKDB7aaP5eOdQaMjFzGXzubVe0802dhga5c4tISyJ4kNYB91U5OmtTgomHftRFCSc/s1600-h/pinnacles.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-CkT9TvLuV07_TqtMl81yEH8Zt5I9foke9GWh93RucRTa2HtIqWU8eo7-OSY4ioATzBJWKDB7aaP5eOdQaMjFzGXzubVe0802dhga5c4tISyJ4kNYB91U5OmtTgomHftRFCSc/s400/pinnacles.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286920611514181362" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Hot and sweaty, but we made it to the top</span></span><br />
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This place reminded me very much of <a href="http://gastateparks.org/info/providence/">Providence Canyon</a> in Georgia, although the colouration wasn't nearly as striking. Even so, the pinnacles are quite impressive and certainly unexpected, revealing again how diverse New Zealand's landscapes can be.<br />
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It's well worth a visit if you are in the area, only taking about an hour to do walk to the pinnancles from the car park. Be warned that it's a fairly steep climb from the riverbed to the viewing platform, but it's a loop track so you have the option to go in the opposite direction for a more gradual climb. Also, Wellingtonians should take note that the wind they are so accustomed to and rely on for cooling does not exist in the Wairarapa interior. I never thought that I'd miss Wellington's wind, but it was definitely needed. There wasn't the slightest breeze!<br />
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<a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.gw.govt.nz/section399.cfm"><span>BELMONT REGIONAL PARK</span></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2l_7uhMpLAudzBsyXkEXVzGf01yxVaqKhTWFpZjpyfXdwGaEH3NTBr2VX9Tw4ydTPAkHtQFCZ0EEjUsmEvOdh6aSFe2tlhisfcJzT3XYoXoXeBm55Dr-5R3ESFOloXvP5x7yj/s1600-h/entrance.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2l_7uhMpLAudzBsyXkEXVzGf01yxVaqKhTWFpZjpyfXdwGaEH3NTBr2VX9Tw4ydTPAkHtQFCZ0EEjUsmEvOdh6aSFe2tlhisfcJzT3XYoXoXeBm55Dr-5R3ESFOloXvP5x7yj/s400/entrance.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286899437807345330" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">S at the entrance to <span style="font-weight: bold;">Belmont Regional Park</span> outside of Wellington</span></span><br />
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX77HncbV5OFHGOoM_CI_ynttOoRXJXyos-njeVeCRUhVsDdZckW5zJ-9Wnni5k6zIS6SI2ZOdTi2AWX1Btr3rcmvqdqZ6_xVZWq2koYZfZf2pcgunPyqIa35BzY6DfF8qAY2C/s1600-h/P1030878.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 149px; height: 149px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX77HncbV5OFHGOoM_CI_ynttOoRXJXyos-njeVeCRUhVsDdZckW5zJ-9Wnni5k6zIS6SI2ZOdTi2AWX1Btr3rcmvqdqZ6_xVZWq2koYZfZf2pcgunPyqIa35BzY6DfF8qAY2C/s400/P1030878.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286882653430838786" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Puke Ariki Track Marker</span><br />
(which looks identical to the regular track markers from a distance!)</span></span><br />
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We've done several minor excursions to Belmont Regional Park recently exploring the <a href="http://www.wonderwalkers.co.nz/default,1343,puke-arikihaywards-korokoro-traverse-belmont-regional-park.sm">Puke Ariki/Haywards Korokoro Traverse</a>. This is part of a conglomeration of different walking tracks in the area that can take you from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petone">Petone</a> to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lower_Hutt">Lower Hutt</a>, or over the hills to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porirua">Porirua</a>. Belmont is the closest major park area to Wellington, and (in my opinion) features some of the nicest walks in the area. The landscape is interesting and includes both historic and natural features, and is easily accessible (even to those utilising public transportation).<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeDeHXlNWN9A_LjryMJjf_hLYFuGCt7zvPqvcoUAipQJOlH-km8mnUOgem5w0yrAZTqNkW2GMsdtZjUY-3cfBBSVNeQ6itqC5J27BYryn65OPeDv8MKvIDPmzQTy9Slp2ZlZLa/s1600-h/P1030881.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 142px; height: 253px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeDeHXlNWN9A_LjryMJjf_hLYFuGCt7zvPqvcoUAipQJOlH-km8mnUOgem5w0yrAZTqNkW2GMsdtZjUY-3cfBBSVNeQ6itqC5J27BYryn65OPeDv8MKvIDPmzQTy9Slp2ZlZLa/s400/P1030881.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286896161671603122" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Windy hills</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> of Belmont Regional Park</span></span><br />
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I did the full 22 km Puke Ariki walk a few weekends ago with my friend James. It took us about 6.5 hours, though the information brochures state it takes 7-8. We started the trip at the Dry Creek ‘Haywards’ entrance where the track climbs quickly to Boulder Hill.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEebjTRjy-cKcZ7IoKLNCVBHcJvHED4MtVUXXxToMZcotfo9Uyud2-v14qob3__ADqURJKPyhOVSnPJ8p_unvVV566vzxb10KRf13ct-ETqG2s-RaFlqq-CQxrG-1AGkRXu4rj/s1600-h/700px-Boulderhill-summit.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 204px; height: 153px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEebjTRjy-cKcZ7IoKLNCVBHcJvHED4MtVUXXxToMZcotfo9Uyud2-v14qob3__ADqURJKPyhOVSnPJ8p_unvVV566vzxb10KRf13ct-ETqG2s-RaFlqq-CQxrG-1AGkRXu4rj/s400/700px-Boulderhill-summit.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286882641195211618" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Boulder Hill</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">S and I had recently done the <a href="http://www.tracks.org.nz/track/show/101">Boulder Hill track </a>that led to this same point, an exposed area on the top of the hill where you can see the entire Wellington region. Just hang on to your hat - it's extremely windy up there! The terrain is mostly farmland for much of the track, climbing up and down exposed hills with names like Round Knob and Cannons Head. To break up the monotony, there are some old historic military buildings (ammunition storehouses), an airstrip, as well as the occasional herd of sheep / cows.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSdxH7rX50xSO47UR0YbNXlNF7Xy_wEKZ7nuhvLcLulLE2nmMD4E6kBCNBDhrB35K062IlONT9Sp9ig017jTYCVRND7AseuHie0zi_eP_F912j7MUm-J0pOIRfxMNBFrQ_ccuH/s1600-h/P1030887.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 253px; height: 142px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSdxH7rX50xSO47UR0YbNXlNF7Xy_wEKZ7nuhvLcLulLE2nmMD4E6kBCNBDhrB35K062IlONT9Sp9ig017jTYCVRND7AseuHie0zi_eP_F912j7MUm-J0pOIRfxMNBFrQ_ccuH/s400/P1030887.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286896167987646050" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The ammunition buildings as seen from a distance</span></span>.<br />
<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">For some reason, this reminds me of Hobbits.</span></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2hHXwc7tfWAih8-un6NSNJpC4ODzX3VvYNXHnd54HFOriiSNLqIhXaBMIYp5S-umLb4BcYUuNbOSLIuVgRSsOF3K6D0L0lOAJok4hZq7Ibv4CkAySBZ3GxSIWd9dj8HlvPIvn/s1600-h/P1030885.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 247px; height: 176px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2hHXwc7tfWAih8-un6NSNJpC4ODzX3VvYNXHnd54HFOriiSNLqIhXaBMIYp5S-umLb4BcYUuNbOSLIuVgRSsOF3K6D0L0lOAJok4hZq7Ibv4CkAySBZ3GxSIWd9dj8HlvPIvn/s400/P1030885.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286896160827013810" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Old plaque on one of the buildings. </span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />
Until we had seen this, we weren't really sure<br />
what the buildings had been used for.</span></span><br />
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTctjct6yhz2Vv4EMvlE5RZBeMG_tg3SK1FF8D20d6Ou-P52nYJOCzqpThlBsAA3dFP9uZg7ENl8eNjvGNXMBh1ggV_v3NGVQUhPC5jpK4i0yNnxUqH9a61M7rjKgB5GJZlAZN/s1600-h/P1030882.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 242px; height: 136px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTctjct6yhz2Vv4EMvlE5RZBeMG_tg3SK1FF8D20d6Ou-P52nYJOCzqpThlBsAA3dFP9uZg7ENl8eNjvGNXMBh1ggV_v3NGVQUhPC5jpK4i0yNnxUqH9a61M7rjKgB5GJZlAZN/s400/P1030882.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286896156411118002" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">James completes an inspection of one of the buildings.<br />
He found lots of <span style="font-weight: bold;">very dead</span> things in there.<br />
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The high point (literally) of the track is Belmont Trig, which is at about 457 metres. Again, there are some great views of the entire area. The track section then descends towards Petone, taking you through a dense area of native regenerating and original bush habitat. This is a really nice stretch. I made a mental note to return and do this walk with S (since I knew she would like it) which we did last week.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOp5Qz9Z9LD5Ikt9HG2-bVZKRQCzI0hfAMipmaL2llld6rGU3DwfHPaRMNMqZfoVpiVDrLjAI3x85i-tMTuxU7m1Cljb9vmhXF-oJp1GghvZm_UPqR0XZxXLkkd2kGWpiUUhk-/s1600-h/cliffside.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 189px; height: 262px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOp5Qz9Z9LD5Ikt9HG2-bVZKRQCzI0hfAMipmaL2llld6rGU3DwfHPaRMNMqZfoVpiVDrLjAI3x85i-tMTuxU7m1Cljb9vmhXF-oJp1GghvZm_UPqR0XZxXLkkd2kGWpiUUhk-/s400/cliffside.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286899451041167202" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Korokoro stream near the Petone end of the track.</span></span><br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFbBKx4eweHB4K4RnDlTgZsjAoDxcFBHBhk0JqLzpxLtSvNWGMAqnVrgyHCIP0B9899URp2QfGvfqv89Gtjtyr0qgs0lQDD-PJKhK3Aa0KuuIsZwm3eUX27BnMdL_9LNVQYn3U/s1600-h/Crocosmia.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 184px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFbBKx4eweHB4K4RnDlTgZsjAoDxcFBHBhk0JqLzpxLtSvNWGMAqnVrgyHCIP0B9899URp2QfGvfqv89Gtjtyr0qgs0lQDD-PJKhK3Aa0KuuIsZwm3eUX27BnMdL_9LNVQYn3U/s400/Crocosmia.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286899449934180210" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Crocosmia </span>in bloom. Like so many of the most beautiful<br />
flowers in New Zealand, this one is an invasive weed. </span> </div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVDg0eyIUrnTXnQj-qByCcnHUind48HHViI_nx8_PWQmhTqhRdPXXnJOW0sZqJqeg_6VyuYJoid15AYYiLLkd5HV07qP27QrtnN8TH4UbpVHpao_3cPUIq4rND_EEPPUBB6aG9/s1600-h/Dam+composite.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 323px; height: 246px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVDg0eyIUrnTXnQj-qByCcnHUind48HHViI_nx8_PWQmhTqhRdPXXnJOW0sZqJqeg_6VyuYJoid15AYYiLLkd5HV07qP27QrtnN8TH4UbpVHpao_3cPUIq4rND_EEPPUBB6aG9/s400/Dam+composite.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286899428399638818" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Korokoro dam had what is known as a “stepped”<br />
spillway where the energy</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> of the water is partially<br />
dissipated by successive drops at the steps</span></span>,<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />
creating</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> a waterfall effect</span></span><br />
</div><br />
The landscape here is surprisingly dramatic, winding through narrow valleys that follow geologic fault lines. Birds and plant life are abundant, and there are some interesting historic features here as well. Korokoro Dam (built in 1902) is one such feature. Though no longer in use, many of the structures are still evident. In addition to the dam structures, old broken pipeline can be seen all along the way.WShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13786230040791426709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29526165.post-38928853961153809932008-12-04T16:15:00.001+13:002008-12-04T16:42:25.391+13:00Pop on over...<img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/WILLIA%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot.jpg" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/WILLIA%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-1.jpg" alt="" /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/AWVoaf3OuN8&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/AWVoaf3OuN8&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></span>WShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13786230040791426709noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29526165.post-52030034015639386132008-11-13T15:00:00.006+13:002008-11-13T15:28:36.866+13:00I've posted on this general topic before, but still had to share this funny commercial...<br /><br />"<a href="http://www.pnbfoods.co.nz/tv_commercial1.html">Hangi to Go</a>"<br /><br />I think fast food has truly conquered the last frontiers of cuisine when you can get a Hangi "to Go"!<br /><br />Hāngi means "earth oven" and is a traditional method of cooking practised by Māori (as well as other Pacific, Polynesian and Asian cultures) where food is buried alongside hot rocks in an underground chamber. In areas with lots of geothermal activity, such as Rotorua in the central North Island, they didn't even have to heat the rocks. They simply placed the food in the steaming thermal crevices, or buried it underground closer to the heat sources. To prevent burning, food was usually wrapped and bundled in leaves.<br /><br />Geothermal cooking can also be done using the boiling water in steaming mineral pools. This technique is used to cook corn for tourists at Te Puia in Rotorua. As I recall, my Mom was suspicious of this cooking method when she was here earlier this year. To be fair, the strong smell of sulphur in the air is not exactly appetising!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYrBNVJxzg7iipJ3pu9_ZYfvjY5ZOJQxk3cB5blNshExq94S-nc3n3DsxEAH_gy_JQf2NHNMG7moy4bmXEOd1yzs2aCwTP60rQAUlJrmi4WQe2DQs8SFcngjAuX2ZeLgEebo5z/s1600-h/cornsteam.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYrBNVJxzg7iipJ3pu9_ZYfvjY5ZOJQxk3cB5blNshExq94S-nc3n3DsxEAH_gy_JQf2NHNMG7moy4bmXEOd1yzs2aCwTP60rQAUlJrmi4WQe2DQs8SFcngjAuX2ZeLgEebo5z/s400/cornsteam.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267962007640815154" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">This photo comes from <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/noenz/">NoEnz</a>, and shows the kete (woven baskets) used to hold the corn submerged in the boiling pools<br /></span></div><br />Traditional hāngi food is pork, <span class="mw-redirect">mutton</span> or lamb, and chicken, with generous portions of root vegetables such as kumara (sweet potato), pumpkin, carrot, potato, onions and cabbage. The cooking process can take a few hours, depending on how it's done and how much food is in there. Hāngi are still common today, with opportunities to partake in such feasts at many tourist spots around the country.<br /><br />However, if you can't come visit and would still like to do your own hāngi , check out this web page for<a href="http://www.maorifood.com/hangi.htm"> a complete how-to guide</a>WShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13786230040791426709noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29526165.post-71549020663589713612008-11-08T10:32:00.004+13:002008-11-08T19:06:58.407+13:00Editorial noteThere seems to be some concern that on my last post, I made up those billboards featuring President Bush. While I am talented at Photoshop, and my leftist tendencies would certainly make me appear guilty, I'm not clever enough to have come up with them. I promise they were real. <br /><br />Here are some articles/web pages about the billboards:<br /><a href="http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=45683">Media Matters - Bush Hell Pizza Billboard (9 Aug 2005)</a><br /><br /><a href="http://theinspirationroom.com/daily/2008/american-psycho-george-w-bush/">American Psycho billboard</a><a href="http://theinspirationroom.com/daily/2008/american-psycho-george-w-bush/"> </a>- Inspiration Room<br /><a href="http://theinspirationroom.com/daily/2008/american-psycho-flag-on-2/">American Psycho print ad </a>- Inspiration Room<br />Both done by <a href="http://www.saatchi.co.nz/" onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview ('/outbound/www.saatchi.co.nz');">Saatchi & Saatchi New Zealand</a><br /><br />It would be going too far to say they were truly controversial here in NZ, but they did cause a stir. Generally I think people regarded them as a joke and did not read too much into it. Bush is easy subject matter for them to skewer - everyone here loves to hate him. <br /><br />Unfortunately, the taint of his actions in office is all over every American living abroad (including us). If I had a dollar for every time I've been asked about "How could you people let him become the President?" and "What was America thinking?"... by people who really don't understand the U.S. electoral system, or how big and diverse the country is. They assume all Americans are the same - conservative, religious and supporters of Bush. Believe me, it's trying after a while.WShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13786230040791426709noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29526165.post-71961796186999106912008-11-02T09:31:00.008+13:002008-11-03T20:36:13.534+13:00Casting two ballotsIt's a weird thing, but this year we get to vote in two national elections! What a privilege. Seriously. Just look at the horrors people are put through in places like Africa and China and it makes you appreciate the freedoms we have.<br /><br />I was thinking that some of you might be interested in the differences between the New Zealand government and the U.S. government. Then, I started trying to write a bit about it and promptly decided that you probably did not care. And, I did not feel like writing about it.<br /><div><br />So, instead we'll just give you some nice photos of candidates from both countries. As a public servant working for the NZ government, I am bound by certain rules when it comes to online political rants. So, below are the two candidates for NZ Prime Minister, shown in in alphabetical order by last name - so as not to imply any preference:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263792844203315922" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 99px; cursor: pointer; height: 121px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg977D1VQticCND2CbbkfgW8VZAinZ8CoQIc9xTiruIFQfB56rr4HkfGdRkNaiLnae4EDchcQ5i75MlWk7oZV0cyTOyq72rkJuIVeF8Mq4u8KePWVmi2VV3GgB0k1kLSoUyq7By/s400/496px-Helen_Clark_2.jpg" border="0" /><span style="font-size:85%;">The Right Honourable <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helen_Clark" title="Helen Clark">Helen Clark</a>, MP, Prime Minister of New Zealand and leader of the Labour Party.<br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263792916098277570" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 98px; cursor: pointer; height: 130px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi180sXr3TQiFmnOOjusmsdUGgk8uLyTN91Cyvu-mVXtxMsA9QEbas1hMsbYY4kTBla9ldT_JfvmlZ7kXQBWEMRwfQtWd5SEzzqKA9MlOZQjLRaF2pN05OOwq1svy4cpFlRQ7BF/s400/7810JohnKey.jpg" border="0" /><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Key">John Phillip Key</a>, 12th Leader of the National Party (the Opposition) and member of Parliament</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi180sXr3TQiFmnOOjusmsdUGgk8uLyTN91Cyvu-mVXtxMsA9QEbas1hMsbYY4kTBla9ldT_JfvmlZ7kXQBWEMRwfQtWd5SEzzqKA9MlOZQjLRaF2pN05OOwq1svy4cpFlRQ7BF/s1600-h/7810JohnKey.jpg"> </a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg977D1VQticCND2CbbkfgW8VZAinZ8CoQIc9xTiruIFQfB56rr4HkfGdRkNaiLnae4EDchcQ5i75MlWk7oZV0cyTOyq72rkJuIVeF8Mq4u8KePWVmi2VV3GgB0k1kLSoUyq7By/s1600-h/496px-Helen_Clark_2.jpg"></a><br />If you would like to read more about the NZ election, <a href="http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1854937,00.html">check out the article </a>in this month's South Pacific issue of TIME. <br /><br />Before moving on to the U.S. candidates, perhaps it's worth stopping for a moment to reflect on just what New Zealanders think of our last Commander in Chief, as evidenced by some of their advertising billboards in recent years...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMEMxzDNnsZtZE_sJ9jGBE0fx7uJVdjnlzFMDVXYKsMWYG0ZsT_-1Lu6LDnCLJWg5pHs7CFP5O3FTYrrfjaA_pwKDQ5iEgeJiVpIuRAC1voVbUGSF2ExgpF7MoxSnVNbTiyRKf/s1600-h/hell-george-bush-billboard.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMEMxzDNnsZtZE_sJ9jGBE0fx7uJVdjnlzFMDVXYKsMWYG0ZsT_-1Lu6LDnCLJWg5pHs7CFP5O3FTYrrfjaA_pwKDQ5iEgeJiVpIuRAC1voVbUGSF2ExgpF7MoxSnVNbTiyRKf/s400/hell-george-bush-billboard.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264325147474787986" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprQi7Tz3d0D6mGR6IOu8QP1x1j21BtA6s4wwzhpuiTyCf-Rcv7OHf1ssMQM1a6cUvw5XqTrXiZizzjyYhiHDA3TCgphGijwrUnNk3_mBUdWhFnlwO5_YK__Qe49Lo-_tf7I-v/s1600-h/AmericanPsycho.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprQi7Tz3d0D6mGR6IOu8QP1x1j21BtA6s4wwzhpuiTyCf-Rcv7OHf1ssMQM1a6cUvw5XqTrXiZizzjyYhiHDA3TCgphGijwrUnNk3_mBUdWhFnlwO5_YK__Qe49Lo-_tf7I-v/s400/AmericanPsycho.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264325405341969154" border="0" /></a><br />Yes, that Bush - he's a popular guy! New Zealanders just love him. Imagine what the billboards in Venezuela must be like. I bet Chavez has painted him red and put demon horns on him. Nothing like one devil poking fun at another one, eh?<br /><br />Unlike with New Zealand, no rules prevent me from speaking my mind about the U.S. election.<br /><br />I won't bore you with a rant, though. I'll just beg you: PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE don't put another Republican in office!!! <br /><br />The United States is probably on its swan song at this point anyway. I give it another 50 years, maybe not even that long if oil runs dry before then, before the U.S. fades into obscurity, and that's under the best of circumstances. Put John McCain and the idiot Palin into office, and I don't give it another 10 years before it collapses under the weight of trillions in new war debt (they don't call him the "<a href="http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2008/01/john_mccain_the_old_warhorse.html">Old War Horse</a>" for nothing, you know), a devastated economy, a world that hates and covets what you have, and enemies who no longer fear you.<br /><br />Instead of two photos, here's one - and a name - of the person to vote for. Please do me proud.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM5DfsYqDH6CCoNLiWOXULSmKQwfu49eeABmoxNrXe386E7Vvd4om3ujUjMeOFQ-zmw6YYKVll-JrbgtRLJvQfFOpcbpm2-jLelhKxFUsYV5W3FSNdf02mWQJmkLt1JLroCsIZ/s1600-h/small_obama_image.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 375px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM5DfsYqDH6CCoNLiWOXULSmKQwfu49eeABmoxNrXe386E7Vvd4om3ujUjMeOFQ-zmw6YYKVll-JrbgtRLJvQfFOpcbpm2-jLelhKxFUsYV5W3FSNdf02mWQJmkLt1JLroCsIZ/s400/small_obama_image.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264328096260024594" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama">Senator Barack Obama</a>, Junior Senator from my home State of Illinois<br />and (hopefully) the next President of the United States of America<br /><br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7k_bEiI9Hn7l5__UYSH2Xw1tYOMsKSr0mCMH5_u4PrwMPQPS6RT2MGgVsjJRgJf0mlS70u-WqsBIsgOBUc0MpXjgG7wJhLH6SI7PcvWkIfMBvibUrWMJEJswL3igi4yUv13M5/s400/Obama08_ThumbLogo200.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264328763951173570" border="0" /><a href="http://www.barackobama.com/"><span style="font-size:85%;">www.barackobama.com<br /></span></a></div><br /></div>WShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13786230040791426709noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29526165.post-11815669280619148712008-10-27T14:11:00.032+13:002008-10-27T22:06:26.898+13:00Brisbane, Australia<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ihFy9BbncijYxWmosWaFmrAfmQcsXgCLNz9P8dfQLoP_DzyFM51hZbyUN_i5Db9saBS2jL1zNF3nWy-UeDpbS2LrFMVD80PZRmR8ZfcMvjo82EFTJ-Obp2CvQaDDvNoI59Zi/s1600-h/1-Brisbane+Story+Bridge+%28composite%29.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 492px; height: 161px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ihFy9BbncijYxWmosWaFmrAfmQcsXgCLNz9P8dfQLoP_DzyFM51hZbyUN_i5Db9saBS2jL1zNF3nWy-UeDpbS2LrFMVD80PZRmR8ZfcMvjo82EFTJ-Obp2CvQaDDvNoI59Zi/s400/1-Brisbane+Story+Bridge+%28composite%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261697502178608370" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Brisbane's skyline and the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Story_Bridge">Story Bridge</a></span><br /></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />We just returned from a week in "Oz" exploring Brisbane and areas around the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunshine_Coast,_Queensland">Sunshine Coast</a> just north of the city.</span> It was a much-needed holiday, and although it was too short for our tastes was still very welcome. The trip marks the first time that Stacey has been out of New Zealand since our arrival two years ago (and my second, having traveled to Sydney last year).<br /><br />This post is a simplified version of events, since it would take too long to recount everything, but it does give a general sense of the places we visited.<br /><br />Brisbane (sometimes just called 'Brissie', pronounced <span style="font-style: italic;">brizzy</span>) is located in the northeast corner of Australia in the state of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queensland">Queensland</a>. It's also the capital of the state, and Australia's third largest city behind Sydney and Melbourne (at around 1.8 million people). Queensland boasts some of Australia's most spectactular natural landscapes, including stunning coasts, vast deserts, lush tropical forests and the world-famous <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Barrier_Reef">Great Barrier Reef</a>. Queensland's economy is dominated by the tourist, natural resource and agricultural sectors. In fact, the people of Queensland are colloquially known as "Banana Benders" in reference to the large banana plantations located there.<br /><br />Our itinerary had us arriving in Brisbane last Monday, and we spent the first two days in the city. One thing we noticed immediately was the temperature difference - it was <span style="font-style: italic;">warm </span>there - and it felt like being in Atlanta again. The average temperature during our stay was 28 Celsius (84 F). To understand why this was so noticeable, remember that even at the height of summer Wellington rarely exceeds 18 C (65 F). Without delay, we were in shorts and t-shirts and looking for iced coffees!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB1_X7ttIh18SRjJsMMI6AJXGsij8RDDQ5HOUwcNT4i922rZRkBlw6hv7CSfeE38iffPevdiebLgg5Xr9FYixuy2-tDcYHT47c6FSt7i-oWfhMUA74wBF-hvmVoCPHcEWyEX1M/s1600-h/P1030812+%5BDesktop+Resolution%5D.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB1_X7ttIh18SRjJsMMI6AJXGsij8RDDQ5HOUwcNT4i922rZRkBlw6hv7CSfeE38iffPevdiebLgg5Xr9FYixuy2-tDcYHT47c6FSt7i-oWfhMUA74wBF-hvmVoCPHcEWyEX1M/s400/P1030812+%5BDesktop+Resolution%5D.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261695335743774290" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Between the warmth and the hot donuts,<br />it was almost like being back in Atlanta</span></span><br /></div><br />We strolled down the city waterfront, then over to the central business district and the touristy areas around downtown's Queen Street. There was an OMG ("Oh My God") moment when we spotted the <a href="http://www.krispykreme.com/history.html">Krispy Kreme</a> donut shop, with the 'hot donuts now' neon sign blazing in the window. KK is an Atlanta icon, so it's very strange to see it in Australia. Of course, I had to have one of those hot glazed donuts! To our surprise, they were giving the hot donuts away for free. We even tried to pay them and they wouldn't take the money. I compared it to drug dealers giving away the first dose of cocaine in order to start an addiction.<br /><br />We planned to visit many parks and reserves later in the trip where we might see Australian wildlife, but didn't want to take any chances. So, the next day we traveled to <a href="http://www.koala.net/index.htm">Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary</a> in search of the little fuzzy guys. We were not disappointed. LPKS has over 130 koalas in the sanctuary, and they are every bit as cute and cuddly as you might imagine.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuEzhyphenhyphenZ5s6Xo1e7OEq11F6CMvioc6GWEsuMy1ra02jMaBbMfo8hQZq42hZzv74ZGDcneNRnA0JlqEDo2_gvcfdsSDGm82z09OiA6uq6uRcncv3TOxyBeLuRK2AAy-pWrHmIyqm/s1600-h/00-Koala+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuEzhyphenhyphenZ5s6Xo1e7OEq11F6CMvioc6GWEsuMy1ra02jMaBbMfo8hQZq42hZzv74ZGDcneNRnA0JlqEDo2_gvcfdsSDGm82z09OiA6uq6uRcncv3TOxyBeLuRK2AAy-pWrHmIyqm/s400/00-Koala+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261697356040536402" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Koalas are adorable even when sleeping,<br />which is good since they sleep a lot!</span><br /></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0527SK-ygnhlW1M8_l3lcqcyR9UAuhdHFdgQf5CPIZqZ3lZIEBuhDP9loVBF5jsquDkZFNQ5L-Jh60GIiav0h4k6qAf6EC4mjUsK-9bEbxCBtpRd5lup5ba-eMHzfzHbMpq_F/s1600-h/Picture+008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0527SK-ygnhlW1M8_l3lcqcyR9UAuhdHFdgQf5CPIZqZ3lZIEBuhDP9loVBF5jsquDkZFNQ5L-Jh60GIiav0h4k6qAf6EC4mjUsK-9bEbxCBtpRd5lup5ba-eMHzfzHbMpq_F/s400/Picture+008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261697293823688258" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">This one was wide awake and hungry!</span></span><br /></div><br />Although they may look like a teddy bear, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koala">Koalas</a> aren't bears at all. They're a marsupial, a subclass of mammals that are characterised by the distinctive pouch that the mothers use to carry their young. Australia is known for its marsupial critters which include kangaroos, wallabies, platypus, wombats, possum and Tasmanian devil.<br /><br />Koala are fussy eaters, dining only on leaves and bark from <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">certain species of <span style="font-style: italic;">Eucalyptus</span> trees, which is one of the reasons they are having such a hard time. More and more of their habitat has been lost as urban areas expand into their natural range. </span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9YBF1ENQdsFV7lIcHCJscAQGR50v6Mhkt8L3mgs4Z4JLIHBDDgb_gSxBPb9HJC9gcaXXx1DmVKXPyRD0YCfTVs5qolWIcYYiPB4sz-SIAbXZjlUrdVOYAmRSv1AOLJDWAOOZV/s1600-h/3-+Picture+015.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 276px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9YBF1ENQdsFV7lIcHCJscAQGR50v6Mhkt8L3mgs4Z4JLIHBDDgb_gSxBPb9HJC9gcaXXx1DmVKXPyRD0YCfTVs5qolWIcYYiPB4sz-SIAbXZjlUrdVOYAmRSv1AOLJDWAOOZV/s400/3-+Picture+015.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261697215643352002" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Feeding a red-legged pademelon (pronounced "Paddy Melon") - a type of wallaby</span></span><br /></div><br />The park also has a large enclosure where you can feed the kangaroos and wallabies. Not something we'd normally do but it was great fun, I have to admit. The roos reminded us of the Romans, as they lounged about waiting to be fed. The brochures billed them as "friendly" kangaroos, which was a relief considering you were occasionally surrounded by a horde of them. Very funny.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjauFiJfominS-vdGdNA6TCj8LQ-z19cGdtSUUWESYz-krUZOIfJyg-mTropDRQS5aaPaOcmfhuTiHh1scXNGOC0Mo2eBsIc9KvnPIc606ZiARofhmSbPfJFNJNhkyLxBtibFj2/s1600-h/4-+Picture+042.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjauFiJfominS-vdGdNA6TCj8LQ-z19cGdtSUUWESYz-krUZOIfJyg-mTropDRQS5aaPaOcmfhuTiHh1scXNGOC0Mo2eBsIc9KvnPIc606ZiARofhmSbPfJFNJNhkyLxBtibFj2/s400/4-+Picture+042.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261696773527370658" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">This big guy was off to the side all by himself,<br />so we stopped by with a bag of food. He was huge!</span><br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinN8h8Nnok-LCMQM-qOZYnK9fqpR7vBdDYLmhBJ-l66GIBbhDS8a774dlOs9koik-Q6VUJy-valWkbmzA8wG4fh0Bkgqt39YVihRPPvEBbmzNirbHcTIdzTNEoaJ4xbIjGIMJu/s1600-h/5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 321px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinN8h8Nnok-LCMQM-qOZYnK9fqpR7vBdDYLmhBJ-l66GIBbhDS8a774dlOs9koik-Q6VUJy-valWkbmzA8wG4fh0Bkgqt39YVihRPPvEBbmzNirbHcTIdzTNEoaJ4xbIjGIMJu/s400/5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261696847597707218" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Kangaroos can hurt you if they want to.<br />That clawed hand was almost as big as mine!</span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZFtwJgoLy0QFv3r_IH7d3-tWn7nmGPfXdry6wsiwIscOTb5l2MPYP3VZDPIXni90AYSJ6TrE2dGHL3gLpjSs-NIwpMKH-RAUQysZm-URRxUG5d9fcrakaE_dKAerD19ABj_Ox/s1600-h/2++-+P1030656+%5BDesktop+Resolution%5D.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZFtwJgoLy0QFv3r_IH7d3-tWn7nmGPfXdry6wsiwIscOTb5l2MPYP3VZDPIXni90AYSJ6TrE2dGHL3gLpjSs-NIwpMKH-RAUQysZm-URRxUG5d9fcrakaE_dKAerD19ABj_Ox/s400/2++-+P1030656+%5BDesktop+Resolution%5D.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261696663968407474" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Stacey feeding the roos. She had one who was greedy and growled at the others whenever they came too close. </span></span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWZMqkqE2E7R8mCJM9tPbm4tmdg39S9rzHnPB4zeyf22e6KkLocEENa4RaV0CsGkODgDKChY8e3xMM4AqzxpJIlVR9oM81HEa9BEGQ7Upela4EFQE7zuI4HBkwI8wlQWXzaHxK/s1600-h/2A-Picture+066+%5BDesktop+Resolution%5D.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWZMqkqE2E7R8mCJM9tPbm4tmdg39S9rzHnPB4zeyf22e6KkLocEENa4RaV0CsGkODgDKChY8e3xMM4AqzxpJIlVR9oM81HEa9BEGQ7Upela4EFQE7zuI4HBkwI8wlQWXzaHxK/s400/2A-Picture+066+%5BDesktop+Resolution%5D.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261696601621432770" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtWfBxdK7BC2XUiJBl7AcZOz1Bcn-F6kkH8bRQTk0im53hXe4lo6tcU5Xu7-OjkWZcXTOkk4hDTatlZhQhASjDbHJ0X0mYlxoIcHwsNBiHerXphkBPSnlrlYLbZsiVftv8rSG9/s1600-h/Picture+060.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtWfBxdK7BC2XUiJBl7AcZOz1Bcn-F6kkH8bRQTk0im53hXe4lo6tcU5Xu7-OjkWZcXTOkk4hDTatlZhQhASjDbHJ0X0mYlxoIcHwsNBiHerXphkBPSnlrlYLbZsiVftv8rSG9/s400/Picture+060.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261696481227668306" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Surrounded!</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4LnXSQ9qorpGBILeQMTWQ6vwA8hWiUy_0QOUnmP6lDIlbh702kkpRh3YBUtJT7cHK2CqWyo86vwhSyaDJItKDEMUKe9GC23GaspDwGtu_TL9W0F8HRoEdv4faxxeQSAxRchRw/s1600-h/00-Wombat+P1030634+%5BDesktop+Resolution%5D.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 361px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4LnXSQ9qorpGBILeQMTWQ6vwA8hWiUy_0QOUnmP6lDIlbh702kkpRh3YBUtJT7cHK2CqWyo86vwhSyaDJItKDEMUKe9GC23GaspDwGtu_TL9W0F8HRoEdv4faxxeQSAxRchRw/s400/00-Wombat+P1030634+%5BDesktop+Resolution%5D.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261696971043755202" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">We also saw some Wombat at Lone Pine Reserve. </span><span style="font-style: italic;">Feisty critters - the keeper showed us a huge scar on her leg where this guy had taken a bite out of her during a cleaning. Ouch.</span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgujgHKbaZvbnh8DbtoxQWNJFW8lMS0sB2msw6z7gZk3v_z0Hg_mf8ZqrANdIzY0ayvw_UHqaPvf9YdUZrPskZw-SjYZKaNPzj7uCN7347w1gn0pwdO1-KFaQ_is8NvvYP6rxU5/s1600-h/2976598411_d74458fa63.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 336px; height: 311px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgujgHKbaZvbnh8DbtoxQWNJFW8lMS0sB2msw6z7gZk3v_z0Hg_mf8ZqrANdIzY0ayvw_UHqaPvf9YdUZrPskZw-SjYZKaNPzj7uCN7347w1gn0pwdO1-KFaQ_is8NvvYP6rxU5/s400/2976598411_d74458fa63.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261696342784245122" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">William, Stacey and Aunt Rosemarie</span></span><br /><br /></div>Next, we headed north for a few days on the Sunshine Coast, stopping along the way to go to the <a href="http://www.eumundimarkets.com.au/">Eumundi Markets</a>. It was a massive event, rivaling any flea market I have seen in the U.S. We did some souvenir shopping there, had a nice lunch, and also <span style="font-style: italic;">attempted</span> to learn how to play the didjeridu.<br /><br />Stacey's cousin David kindly offered to let us stay at his place in Mooloolaba while he was out of town (Thanks David!!!). While there, I finally had the chance to meet Stacey's aunt Rosemarie. We enjoyed a nice dinner out at a riverside restaurant, where we had fish & chips and enjoyed the view.<br /><br />Our visit to the Sunshine Coast included a trip to <a href="http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/projects/park/index.cgi?parkid=53">Noosa National Park</a> where we did several day-hikes. The walks are easy and well worth a visit. The coastal views are spectactular, as you can see from the photos. White sandy beaches and aquamarine blue waters were around every corner. Wildlife was elusive, but we did manage to spot <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goanna">goanna</a>, frilled lizards, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kookaburra">kookaburra</a> (as well as many other birds I didn't know the names of) and even koala. In the late afternoon, we enjoyed a swim at Tea Tree Bay and managed to get some time for relaxation in the sun.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmHzZAoFrLjdaYJkLD8sUOr-0QrfKodQaD9arW-FWbqBy5hnMd17qkFLVmoG9r0aym-Ul1f28TdKgebiIggOKqUxK05bbwr-Iv03bpgXzrqsSno-d7yza8b148cptmsstEr2_0/s1600-h/Picture+086.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmHzZAoFrLjdaYJkLD8sUOr-0QrfKodQaD9arW-FWbqBy5hnMd17qkFLVmoG9r0aym-Ul1f28TdKgebiIggOKqUxK05bbwr-Iv03bpgXzrqsSno-d7yza8b148cptmsstEr2_0/s400/Picture+086.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261696127216435010" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Stacey overlooking Alexandria Bay in Noosa National Park. We came to 'discover' upon arriving at the beach that it's an informal nudist spot.</span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkIC8E228gRM6haPv85PHQ1Lz-1SNv6aDITZOZH4Fjp3Cm3cc8oZ5TISdNVbyH30nUYIylB__jE0aYYOj6hpZNlYswxMjR8DXIg1xGcoGQK5kBwg_Pk_3YtYnyrpKNG2tKklNn/s1600-h/P1030702+%5BDesktop+Resolution%5D.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkIC8E228gRM6haPv85PHQ1Lz-1SNv6aDITZOZH4Fjp3Cm3cc8oZ5TISdNVbyH30nUYIylB__jE0aYYOj6hpZNlYswxMjR8DXIg1xGcoGQK5kBwg_Pk_3YtYnyrpKNG2tKklNn/s400/P1030702+%5BDesktop+Resolution%5D.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261695905736699538" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The view from my rock on the beach.<br />It was so nice, I didn't want to leave.</span></span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBZYdRyq1JbUYFrvn5QwImcAIrMaGeUjWOd3PJuQmxBsmtX5djT3OzRh5reF3ZKFhBtys93VCTuiIVyC5VCwa1Qq-0uzu5cx25vWGuhbaRi0dUZ1wieByaYxWmupyJU5KYNbj9/s1600-h/P1030698+%5BDesktop+Resolution%5D.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBZYdRyq1JbUYFrvn5QwImcAIrMaGeUjWOd3PJuQmxBsmtX5djT3OzRh5reF3ZKFhBtys93VCTuiIVyC5VCwa1Qq-0uzu5cx25vWGuhbaRi0dUZ1wieByaYxWmupyJU5KYNbj9/s400/P1030698+%5BDesktop+Resolution%5D.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261696016607740674" border="0" /></a>We spent a very short amount of time in <a href="http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/projects/park/index.cgi?parkid=66">Great Sandy National Park</a> where we enjoyed (I am being sarcastic) a canoe ride on Lake Cootharaba. It was so windy, we had the hardest time steering. There were also flashbacks to our kayaking fiasco at Abel Tasman NP in N.Z. We didn't have time to see the real wonders of Great Sandy, such as the sand blows and painted sands, nor did we have time to go to Fraser Island, but hopefully there will be an opportunity in the future. One highlight of the GSNP visit, however, was that we saw kangaroos in the wild. This was gratifying only because we didn't want the only kangaroos that we saw to be those in captivity.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR9aHVYRmeM8tmF-DoKaH2rSenGjXH5b6hOBbFv1R5j6l_9r5J1Oj-erm4mnWZKkzEuKj_4qmNWKdhGhsJ1CG6dVINwxDFIHOgoQ7jJwYYrYjaHguKOUFgMg5gmz6r_cemCjsI/s1600-h/Glassshouse+Mtns+%28composite%29.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 524px; height: 190px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR9aHVYRmeM8tmF-DoKaH2rSenGjXH5b6hOBbFv1R5j6l_9r5J1Oj-erm4mnWZKkzEuKj_4qmNWKdhGhsJ1CG6dVINwxDFIHOgoQ7jJwYYrYjaHguKOUFgMg5gmz6r_cemCjsI/s400/Glassshouse+Mtns+%28composite%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261695642930036082" border="0" /></a>Our visit to the Sunshine Coast was much too short, as the time came to head back to Brisbane. But first we to took a short detour to visit<a href="http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/projects/park/index.cgi?parkid=112"> Glass House Mountains National Park</a>. These craggy mountains are remnants of ancient volcanoes, eroded to just a pale shadow of their former selves but still impressive nonetheless. The peaks dominate the landscape of the interior sunshine coast. Not surprisingly, these mountains also had special significance to Aboriginal peoples, and were used a special places for ceremony, meeting and trade. We climbed to the top of Mount Ngungun, a challenging ascent that requires a bit of scrambling and exertion but is worth it for the view.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWGmq5Qhx8RrM13dp7vusK13F9grolDsNS23tB3Pkuy8PukGHdhXFV5MH2wxTWBnkv1zPxNDW3ZLWbKMkBIVTg20n5_Anf0ActbjhYi26TrXeDhKNUmr2xyhSIWRIEfYATvUok/s1600-h/P1030732+%5BDesktop+Resolution%5D.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWGmq5Qhx8RrM13dp7vusK13F9grolDsNS23tB3Pkuy8PukGHdhXFV5MH2wxTWBnkv1zPxNDW3ZLWbKMkBIVTg20n5_Anf0ActbjhYi26TrXeDhKNUmr2xyhSIWRIEfYATvUok/s400/P1030732+%5BDesktop+Resolution%5D.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261695559925945986" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The view from Ngungun.<br />In the distance can be seen Mt. Coonowrin<br />(the thin spired peak) and Mt. Beerwah beyond. </span></span><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1__IIch5qIarw6qQrLoud1txbahlTrEA3cuP4Iz1N8MFt9Qfd7igyRSv3odk_c-wtp0XTeRnywM9XnpYdNtYRIZWBkFZMlISPidtxF37ez76cLML2d85Odx62YNpYx1wacaZj/s1600-h/P1030739.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1__IIch5qIarw6qQrLoud1txbahlTrEA3cuP4Iz1N8MFt9Qfd7igyRSv3odk_c-wtp0XTeRnywM9XnpYdNtYRIZWBkFZMlISPidtxF37ez76cLML2d85Odx62YNpYx1wacaZj/s400/P1030739.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261695455111530050" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Hot and sweaty but we made it!</span><br /></div><br />OK, it's getting late so super-condensing this last bit...back to Brisbane we then went. Toured Chinatown and the <a href="http://www.ourbrisbane.com/whats-on/markets/918270.the-valley-markets">Valley Markets</a> weekend festival. Live music was on offer, as well as tons of food and assorted junk. Stacey even got a chair massage.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgphBk2CFqcMcy0146o1JIkQHagfD-mIe-HGr4nUwIYQyAMnAQLJjZWyzf34IdDP2C0hozuuVePrNKq4BedQz0iTK5SGovT960ADbj_lNvESAtrlUbNM__nowR0TMuPKeTSzeC1/s1600-h/P1030742+%5BDesktop+Resolution%5D.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgphBk2CFqcMcy0146o1JIkQHagfD-mIe-HGr4nUwIYQyAMnAQLJjZWyzf34IdDP2C0hozuuVePrNKq4BedQz0iTK5SGovT960ADbj_lNvESAtrlUbNM__nowR0TMuPKeTSzeC1/s400/P1030742+%5BDesktop+Resolution%5D.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261694933788829554" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Brisbane's Chinatown entrance</span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQoXjPg_bbnSS2cIVRGoL0crd7KEiNVNjuMJ4xOLv1Mi1IESwd78URnSNAzOeyiAgO_GzS1WoKT1pl3hRTih5S9HXtH6btqShGznpp5B9_6Iqj4gE3tdSDXeboyz5RiKAiLEzV/s1600-h/P1030748+%5BDesktop+Resolution%5D.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 308px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQoXjPg_bbnSS2cIVRGoL0crd7KEiNVNjuMJ4xOLv1Mi1IESwd78URnSNAzOeyiAgO_GzS1WoKT1pl3hRTih5S9HXtH6btqShGznpp5B9_6Iqj4gE3tdSDXeboyz5RiKAiLEzV/s400/P1030748+%5BDesktop+Resolution%5D.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261694693042140370" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Andrew Kennedy and his bandmates put on a good show. </span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Check them out at <a href="http://www.myspace.com/andrewkennedymusic">his MySpace page</a>.</span></span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifHjD6oLCP3qnbXeODQIAA2ZhhlstNOfwJvLMUNfcl1S4_yhIFCNqcKiakATW0-WTOx1GTq1oGA2k5qbgo49SxL4NuBaFzhIpSobmaeXi9L6o0KRUiCEbxGTOQfoyPqCYOfywl/s1600-h/P1030749+%5BDesktop+Resolution%5D.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 251px; height: 384px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifHjD6oLCP3qnbXeODQIAA2ZhhlstNOfwJvLMUNfcl1S4_yhIFCNqcKiakATW0-WTOx1GTq1oGA2k5qbgo49SxL4NuBaFzhIpSobmaeXi9L6o0KRUiCEbxGTOQfoyPqCYOfywl/s400/P1030749+%5BDesktop+Resolution%5D.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261694441344190066" border="0" /></a>We did heaps of other stuff in Brisbane, too much to put down here. But one thing I wanted to mention for any others who may be thinking of going there...be sure to take a ride on one of the <a href="http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/BCC:BASE::pc=PC_1231">CityCat ferries</a>. It's an inexpensive way to see the sights from the water and is also a very useful tool for exploring the city.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifHjD6oLCP3qnbXeODQIAA2ZhhlstNOfwJvLMUNfcl1S4_yhIFCNqcKiakATW0-WTOx1GTq1oGA2k5qbgo49SxL4NuBaFzhIpSobmaeXi9L6o0KRUiCEbxGTOQfoyPqCYOfywl/s1600-h/P1030749+%5BDesktop+Resolution%5D.JPG"> </a><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO2ky_wvBl9MnIyKNwaEdV7BtZxl0EMuFFZzf8O7NGqSm9lu53dvXsBG__U6zVny_sli8GOExBtrs33qQIGiI6x5jAinp7yrFjxWWbgvpnTBRAIIzxpXotIOARwdnuR6difSKQ/s1600-h/P1030798.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 252px; height: 448px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO2ky_wvBl9MnIyKNwaEdV7BtZxl0EMuFFZzf8O7NGqSm9lu53dvXsBG__U6zVny_sli8GOExBtrs33qQIGiI6x5jAinp7yrFjxWWbgvpnTBRAIIzxpXotIOARwdnuR6difSKQ/s400/P1030798.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261694295398003538" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >A gorgeous sunset in Brisbane. </span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifHjD6oLCP3qnbXeODQIAA2ZhhlstNOfwJvLMUNfcl1S4_yhIFCNqcKiakATW0-WTOx1GTq1oGA2k5qbgo49SxL4NuBaFzhIpSobmaeXi9L6o0KRUiCEbxGTOQfoyPqCYOfywl/s1600-h/P1030749+%5BDesktop+Resolution%5D.JPG"> </a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifHjD6oLCP3qnbXeODQIAA2ZhhlstNOfwJvLMUNfcl1S4_yhIFCNqcKiakATW0-WTOx1GTq1oGA2k5qbgo49SxL4NuBaFzhIpSobmaeXi9L6o0KRUiCEbxGTOQfoyPqCYOfywl/s1600-h/P1030749+%5BDesktop+Resolution%5D.JPG"> </a>WShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13786230040791426709noreply@blogger.com2