Category Archives: New Zealand

New Zealand

Posted on January 31, 2024 by steve

After cancelling several trips to New Zealand over the past few years, Linda finally got her chance to visit on a cruise aboard the Regent Seven Seas Explorer. I had been to New Zealand on a Tauck tour about ten … Continue reading →

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Coogee

Posted on September 13, 2011 by steve

Although it was an early morning, our plane flight from Aukland to Sydney was otherwise painless, and, taking advantage of the two hour time shift, we were in Coogee by 11am. this is the town where Pamela grew up, so … Continue reading →

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Rainy Days in Auckland

Posted on September 11, 2011 by steve

The rain caught up to us today, but that was okay, as it gave us an excuse to relax. At noon we walked down Queen Street and found a ma and pa Korean restaurant for a tasty lunch. After lunch … Continue reading →

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Back to Auckland

Posted on September 10, 2011 by steve

On the final day of our Tauck Tour we headed back to Auckland. We’ve had almost perfect weather on the trip, particularly considering that winter is just ending in New Zealand. It seemed that we’ve been ahead of rain almost … Continue reading →

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TSS Earnslaw & Walter Peak Sheep Station

Posted on September 9, 2011 by steve

Today we got to sleep in, because our excursion to the sheep farm didn’t start until almost noon, when we walked across the street to the dock and boarded the TSS (Twin Screw Steamship) Earnslaw, for the 45 minute trip … Continue reading →

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Queenstown

Posted on September 8, 2011 by steve

We arrived at the Queenstown airport (actually in Frankton) about 6pm, and as predicted no one was there except security and the janitor. Since our luggage had magically preceded us, we were in Queenstown within minutes. The Crowne Plaza Queenstown … Continue reading →

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Milford Sound

Posted on September 7, 2011 by steve

In the morning we caught our same private jet for the flight from Wellington at the tip of the North Island to Manapouri Airport, about two thirds of the way down the South Island. Flight time was less than 90 … Continue reading →

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Martin Bosley’s

Posted on September 6, 2011 by steve

While Dani had dinner with her friend Laura, I went across the street from our hotel and had a solo dinner at Martin Bosley’s, which has been voted New Zealand’s best restaurant. The emphasis here is on fish, which is … Continue reading →

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Wellington

Posted on September 6, 2011 by steve

Wellington certainly deserves its nickname as the windy capital. As the world’s southernmost capital city, it was surprisingly warm today–mid fifties–but a constant breeze made a good jacket a requirement. The day dawned with scattered drizzles, a contrast to last … Continue reading →

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Marlborough Sound

Posted on September 5, 2011 by steve

At the Rotorua airport we caught our private charter jet for the 45 minute flight to the South Island. This is the way to travel! The 100-seat British Aerospace BAe 146-200 was pretty spacious with only 17 of us! The … Continue reading →

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Rotorua

Posted on September 4, 2011 by steve

We departed from Auckland this morning for our drive across half of the northern island that comprises New Zealand. After a rest stop for some honeycomb and vanilla ice cream (who says 9:30 is too early for ice cream?) we … Continue reading →

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Waiheke Island

Posted on September 3, 2011 by steve

For our first day on the Tauck tour we met our group at the bus at 8:15 and headed to the ferry dock for the 40 minute trip to Waiheke Island. The island is a beautifully unspoiled place, with 8500 … Continue reading →

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Auckland

Posted on September 2, 2011 by steve

Today I had breakfast while Dani slept in, enjoying her last completely unscheduled day before we join our tour. We walked a mile or so down Queen street to the Quay, stopping on the way to buy ten used CDs … Continue reading →

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Sydney to Auckland

Posted on September 1, 2011 by steve

After breakfast at the Four Seasons, where Dani got one last Crumpet, a new favorite, we headed to the airport and out flight to Auckland, New Zealand. New Zealand is really into rugby, and the rugby World Cup is going … Continue reading →

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