NZ North Island Adventures

Kia Ora! Our sojourn Down Under continues! We've been in New Zealand for over a year now (we arrived January 29th, 2020!). NZ Immigration has been remarkably kind to those of us caught away from home in a post-pandemic world. Our travel plans have continued to morph as we get one visa extension after another! We got to Raglan, on the western coast of the North Island, in July, 2020, with expectations that we might have to leave in September. We then got an extension to the end of February, 2021. That allowed us to plan trips to the Taranaki region, Wellington, and across the Cook Strait (for the 3rd time!) to Dunedin and Queenstown. We now have a further extension to the end of April (as I write this, we're in Queenstown on the South Island), with the distinct possibility of an additional 6-month visa that would take us to October. Wow!

So, I'm working to get caught up on photos from our last few months. We've been traipsing all over these islands, just agog at the beauty and energy of New Zealand and its people. We're constantly astounded at the gems hidden all over the landscape as we wander the country. For pictures and commentary on our three glorious months in Raglan and the Waikato region of the North Island, visit here: Waikato. Here, some photos to act as an appetizer for our time in the Taranaki area, Wellington, and Dunedin. Cindy also has several albums of photos on her Facebook page (if you have Facebook). More to follow!

​Stay healthy, enjoy each moment, and have a magnificent 2021!

Mount Taranaki (Shining Mountain) dominates the view throughout the Taranaki region. Here, it towers over Lake Mangamahoe, a gorgeous man-made lake near New Plymouth on the northern edge of the Taranaki Bight.

Pukekura Park is an idyllic playground in the center of New Plymouth. Its 52 hectares (128 acres) embrace two lakes, a cricket ground, fernery, a waterfall, and this lovely fountain.

Sunset over Wellington Harbor. We stayed in a cozy Airbnb -- The Treehouse -- on the east side of the harbor and were treated to brilliant sunrises and sunsets during our stay.

While in Wellington, we visited the Putangirua Pinnacles. After treading over head-sized stones along the river bed on our way up the valley, we turned a corner to see these awe-inspiring rocks towering above us. This area was used by Peter Jackson for the Paths of the Dead in the Lord of the Rings. One gets a sense of solemnity and stillness in this haunted gorge! Truly a wondrous experience!

Dunedin, the 2nd-largest city on the South Island, was settled by Scots in the Mid-1800's and is still heavily influenced by that culture. The city's Railway Station is an icon of the area, an example of "Gingerbread" architecture. In the early days, it was New Zealand's busiest railway station.

Larnach Castle, a private manse on the eastern arm of the Otago Bay, is nowadays a tourist attraction, with lovely gardens and walkways offering splendid views to the bay below.

Who knew that the steepest street in the world existed in New Zealand? Baldwin Street, in Dunedin, is a short (1,150 feet) stretch with an average slope of 1:5, and is recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records. Think about the people who live on this street!

South of Dunedin, on the Clutha River, is the Tuapeka Mouth Ferry. This punt, one of only two in the world and the only one in the southern hemisphere, is totally powered by the flow of the river. On a glorious sunny day in February, we found our way to the tiny boathouse on the Clutha and took the free ride over the river. It's a lovely, tranquil, way to cross! Our operator was a wonderful old Kiwi with a thick accent and a friendly New Zealand charm. What a great day!