tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18465386289721272842024-02-08T14:00:28.022+11:00Pushpin PilgrimCarolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03995527122439836127noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846538628972127284.post-61230872064370619612011-02-12T20:35:00.010+11:002011-02-12T20:46:19.602+11:00Australian Animals are the Coolest<table width="600" border="0" cellspacing ="0" cellpadding="0">
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<a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Healesville+Sanctuary,+Badger+Creek+Road,+Healesville,+Victoria,+Australia&aq=4&sll=-45.031162,168.662644&sspn=0.047314,0.110378&ie=UTF8&hq=Healesville+Sanctuary&hnear=Healesville+Sanctuary,+Badger+Creek+Rd,+Healesville+Victoria+3777,+Australia&ll=-37.685586,145.524387&spn=0.026491,0.055189&t=h&z=14" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjseTxTMczdECJskZSKVg8CHDywKABOk9l5DqSGkFJVoMJ7tXxYoXXl-Z7m6SxmH-cubnNXeGlBYxgwQWgOHb2JJga053KTMTPVRtNBMcAZkrdacFkZv8RC1O8nz8QcDZWCRBNNFxJnnety/s400/Fullscreen%20capture%202102011%20124030%20PM.jpg" width="291" height="178" title="Click here to explore satellite images with Google Maps" class="top left5"></a>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWB-xiCvU5v_2Tuag_KyWFcwntjGeUR-ZY6AdZzM5WVBGbbibjVIrXrOREjFMEc5jD0noj6oybKqzr0aB2Q-agXqwhYGH4nYSP_omA5EEazjJLRxeZRNvzuAWaE5-q25OGtZ7KFWe-wqO4/s800/P1050864.JPG" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWB-xiCvU5v_2Tuag_KyWFcwntjGeUR-ZY6AdZzM5WVBGbbibjVIrXrOREjFMEc5jD0noj6oybKqzr0aB2Q-agXqwhYGH4nYSP_omA5EEazjJLRxeZRNvzuAWaE5-q25OGtZ7KFWe-wqO4/s400/P1050864.JPG" width="291" height="178" title="this way to fun" class="top right5"></a>
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<td valign="top" colspan="2">When we landed I asked Caz, “What’s the first thing you want to do in Australia?” and before I finished the question she karate kicked me in the face and screamed, “SEE KANGAROOOOOOOOS!!!”
<br /><br />
So on Boxing Day, Uncle Tony took us to see some crazy Aussie animals.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjl9s72FCN_XFsWhWFNltfgPx7AcRnITVYNY_MznsdLReOiTNGHLnF7M9HvkCNfxmKZY0-Ef2plgZS5DMgbhr19WdQAtIYCb_uQE4jr01Sbe1cAXiUZQRliV6EWIgZd_ah6Y055CIsdzxz/s800/P1050859.JPG" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjl9s72FCN_XFsWhWFNltfgPx7AcRnITVYNY_MznsdLReOiTNGHLnF7M9HvkCNfxmKZY0-Ef2plgZS5DMgbhr19WdQAtIYCb_uQE4jr01Sbe1cAXiUZQRliV6EWIgZd_ah6Y055CIsdzxz/s400/P1050859.JPG" width="291" height="390" title="must be those magic chiropractor fingers" class="top left5"></a>
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<div class="right5"><a href="http://www.zoo.org.au/HealesvilleSanctuary" target="blank">The Healesville Sanctuary</a>, which focuses on breeding and release programs for endangered species, is located 65 kms from Melbourne. In an effort to create a natural environment for Australian bush animals, it boasts large enclosures filled with native flora. The <a href="http://www.zoo.org.au/Healesville/Our_Animals/Tasmanian_Devil" target="blank">Tasmanian Devil</a> viewing area only has one Devil because, unless they’re mating or ferociously dining on a communal carcass, they like to be alone. The authentic setting makes the animals comfortable and the experience for people more genuine and personal, allowing guys like Uncle Tony to reach over a fence and stroke the neck of an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emu" target="blank">emu</a>.
<br /><br />
If you haven’t seen an emu, they’re five-foot tall birds with oily feathers, massive beaks, and crazy looking talons. Tony didn’t care, and the bird loved it. She got so into her massage that she sat down, almost fell over, and pooped everywhere.
<br /><br />
We also saw <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goanna" target="blank">goannas</a> (huge lizards), <a href="http://www.zoo.org.au/Healesville/Our_Animals/Dingo" target="blank">dingoes</a> (“A dingo ate my baby!”), three of the most venomous snakes on earth (freakin Australia), <a href="http://www.zoo.org.au/Healesville/Our_Animals/Platypus" target="blank">platypussesesesses</a> (no one can agree on a plural form of this super cute misfit), <a href="http://www.zoo.org.au/Healesville/Our_Animals/Koala" target="blank">koalas</a> (also wicked cute), <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echidna" target="blank">echidnas</a> (spiky, egg-laying mammal thing), <a href="http://www.zoo.org.au/Healesville/Our_Animals/Wombat" target="blank">wombats</a> (super sleepy), and a <a href="http://www.zoo.org.au/Healesville/Spirits-of-the-Sky" target="blank">“Birds of Prey” show</a> featuring hawks, owls, and cockatoos that was surprisingly good. We even saw a boomerang show, where I purchased a left-handed boomerang. It comes back to me every now and then.
<br /><br />
The one let down was the kangaroo area. <a href="http://www.zoo.org.au/Healesville/Our_Animals/Red_Kangaroo" target="blank">Kangaroos</a> are most active during dawn and dusk because of the cooler temperatures. We arrived at 2:00 pm on a hot day, so the kangas were all taking a nap. A few of the bigger ones bounced around for a bit, but mostly they just sat there. We later realized the best time to see some action is during the scheduled <a href="http://www.zoo.org.au/Healesville/Plan/Meet_the_Keeper" target="blank">“Keeper Talks”</a>, when the keeper gives a short spiel about each animal and throws them some scooby snacks to wake em up.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimOPuZ9WQnYyqC2rb_dWhrH4LPq2TmjDQ9dFQzvAW14LkwVbH3tTPvUOTc5JMjkxpgw4BdeKtq3o-sXVohdCwCNFFlHGFXvmBLKkGylVjaAnYyIwsKX8zLJHFxnN8jW79nhN3eNhtyvY-s/s800/P1050886.JPG" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimOPuZ9WQnYyqC2rb_dWhrH4LPq2TmjDQ9dFQzvAW14LkwVbH3tTPvUOTc5JMjkxpgw4BdeKtq3o-sXVohdCwCNFFlHGFXvmBLKkGylVjaAnYyIwsKX8zLJHFxnN8jW79nhN3eNhtyvY-s/s400/P1050886.JPG" width="291" height="390" title="sleepy kangaroo" class="left5"></a>
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All in all, it was a great way to see Australian wildlife and learn about some of the quirkiest animals in the world. Like did you know that platypuses have poisonous spurs on their feet that they can jab predators with? No, you didn’t.
<br /><br />
Thanks to the <a href="http://www.zoo.org.au/HealesvilleSanctuary" target="blank">Healesville Sanctuary</a>, you’ll never die trying to hug a platypus. You’re welcome.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuspH00s577OaTi62_8gUFEw651lom24g2iL9YByMAniTvLIosKnCWHFxCkVocTHGNum-3ArSK-EiAd64Q0FI2t1w5-ui5lTBbeyz4gElbrd9KpsQzC9Z8KVujZv7zOZjNsMsQj2JK8Ssr/s800/P1050883.JPG" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuspH00s577OaTi62_8gUFEw651lom24g2iL9YByMAniTvLIosKnCWHFxCkVocTHGNum-3ArSK-EiAd64Q0FI2t1w5-ui5lTBbeyz4gElbrd9KpsQzC9Z8KVujZv7zOZjNsMsQj2JK8Ssr/s400/P1050883.JPG" width="291" height="218" title="Koala!" class="bottom left5"></a>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgThu557xWVMPgLlL4y2yjhOxwc4kaPZ07Cd95-Vg33AZOdISMTjpxHMLMB22fEv84vYGO7bnWaNP7Q0iq4m8ytTD7FX8q-9mkNPkeKSicntmHb8Up8et3XC4T0CaFueYm490-aR1aMEyql/s800/P1050929.JPG" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgThu557xWVMPgLlL4y2yjhOxwc4kaPZ07Cd95-Vg33AZOdISMTjpxHMLMB22fEv84vYGO7bnWaNP7Q0iq4m8ytTD7FX8q-9mkNPkeKSicntmHb8Up8et3XC4T0CaFueYm490-aR1aMEyql/s400/P1050929.JPG" width="291" height="218" title="Tasmanian Devil" class="bottom right5"></a>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9iooekYw3VtX3RIHcj6lTdBhrUeop6SpN7EnYWUVTs5EL8qCmvUk_Tf_8q-N2OZDs_oKNVWPe5tjdWJV4f4E80Sp2-P7nAvL2DJvdg5xcfH7F1U688c_2atKeD8yEi1NTzasxatJdRin9/s800/P1050898.JPG" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9iooekYw3VtX3RIHcj6lTdBhrUeop6SpN7EnYWUVTs5EL8qCmvUk_Tf_8q-N2OZDs_oKNVWPe5tjdWJV4f4E80Sp2-P7nAvL2DJvdg5xcfH7F1U688c_2atKeD8yEi1NTzasxatJdRin9/s640/P1050898.JPG" width="596" height="373" title="Goanna" class="bottom"></a>
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<iframe src="http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Fpushpinpilgrim.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F02%2Faustralian-birds-are-coolest.html&layout=standard&show_faces=true&width=450&action=like&font=trebuchet+ms&colorscheme=light&height=30" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="border:none; overflow:hidden; width:450px; height:30px;" allowTransparency="true"></iframe>Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10686840547537438655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846538628972127284.post-6393391474670766782011-01-08T22:55:00.005+11:002011-01-08T23:04:04.969+11:00Go to the Rooftop Cinema because we said so<table width="600" border="0" cellspacing ="0" cellpadding="0">
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<a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=rooftop+cinema+melbourne&sll=-
45.031162,168.662644&sspn=0.047314,0.110378&ie=UTF8&hq=rooftop+cinema&hnear=Melbourne+Victoria,+Australia&ll=-
37.81175,144.965308&spn=0.006611,0.013797&t=h&z=16" target="blank"><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTL1Uhyphenhyphen6jXwt5TTO0P2q6k0HIzm9iuNt_KzUVCkTunuycHGISUSDKROZ9zCs0KsMEwBqc3iKw5qGk9qfcZhNKcnJWDup_rnnSkU265E5QGersSGEH-qOSr9eSzsyjiXmI1beCDsjeBQpOv/s400/Fullscreen%20capture
%20182011%2072416%20PM.bmp.jpg" width="291" height="178" title="Click here to explore satellite images with Google Maps"
class="top left5"></a>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH5t7R8JbXLfC-mzd2ZSucyvACam9rGlbIeDHoUmtl7ZdnCp7YHIKZfzXYFTF5x9-GX-DVDGdQkyPQJeWvTP2zPXQp8_CNYNN2duhtlMsh_8muXcePfxYEDx8NYtZaYAGDK1LlWshDn7gu/s800/P1050782.JPG" target="blank"><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH5t7R8JbXLfC-mzd2ZSucyvACam9rGlbIeDHoUmtl7ZdnCp7YHIKZfzXYFTF5x9-GX-DVDGdQkyPQJeWvTP2zPXQp8_CNYNN2duhtlMsh_8muXcePfxYEDx8NYtZaYAGDK1LlWshDn7gu/s400/P1050782.JPG" width="291" height="178"
title="movie with a view" class="top right5"></a>
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<td valign="top" colspan="2">Caz and I got heaps of tips and recommendations for our trip to Melbourne. It's great that
everyone has something you "have to see," but when twenty people give you tips about where to eat or the best bar in
a city, it quickly becomes white noise. That’s why it was so refreshing when everyone we talked to about Melbourne gave us
the same tip for a great night out - the <a href="http://www.rooftopcinema.com.au/" target="blank">Rooftop Cinema.</a>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ePRCX2_83OHBzyxeV44c1b8XjGxO7N4430HVUp-3zvnMYsda9DX_-BdPZNAvH7_c5aldic2CQLvtB89e0DJK8L1K4abIgn9OVpYHn44Fnc20E2dl4-ylARv_bV0ESZA3BB-Hn6e3x20s/s800/P1050762.JPG" target="blank"><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ePRCX2_83OHBzyxeV44c1b8XjGxO7N4430HVUp-3zvnMYsda9DX_-BdPZNAvH7_c5aldic2CQLvtB89e0DJK8L1K4abIgn9OVpYHn44Fnc20E2dl4-ylARv_bV0ESZA3BB-Hn6e3x20s/s400/P1050762.JPG" width="291" height="218"
title="happy hour above the rest" class="bottom left5"></a>
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<div class="right5">
Situated on Swanston Street, this kitschy gem resides on the 6th floor rooftop of one of the many buildings that create the
CBD skyline. Home to a lively happy hour crowd of both professionals and hipsters, we found ourselves transported to Brooklyn
for the afternoon as we reclined on astroturf lawns with a cold beer amidst the skyscrapers of Melbourne.
<br /><br />
For anyone not interested in seeing a movie, either because you don’t like the selection (they only screen one film each
night) or it’s sold out (tickets go fast), the bar is open and happenin' most of the afternoon. It closes for an hour at 7 pm
to allow the staff to transform the hip beer garden into a romantic outdoor movie theater with incredibly chic and
comfortable lawn chairs.
<br /><br />
Doors reopen at 8pm for the 9 o'clock screenings so arrive early for the best seats. The bar re-opens for pre-movie cocktails
but the prices are dear ($9 beers and $10 cocktails), so maybe just enjoy the hot chocolate and coffees like we did (they're
only $3). Once the sun goes down it gets wicked cold, so bring a blanket. If you forget, don't worry - they rent em for $5.
<br /><br />
Caz and I lucked into seeing <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1375666/" target="blank">Inception</a> which is friggin
awesome regardless, but when viewed on a rooftop set against the skyline as the sun sets on a clear summer night –
fuhgeddaboudit.
<br /><br />
One of the pitfalls of traveling the way we do (staying in one place long enough to get jobs and really plug into the area)
is that sometimes we get lax about venturing out and doing touristy things.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqU1iC5IGeRRphxkEgf40EUCmUFfc1lx9Oc-IGqfhcffoQIviICLf2MCljCA5MOUrz8TfsfKzojWOzxkQNzJuEoabSlkC5BebrIf4B3ivdFWFbYNL-UgBdRltSe5pXt8eUrPlMjsjm5Drl/s800/P1050770.JPG" target="blank"><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqU1iC5IGeRRphxkEgf40EUCmUFfc1lx9Oc-IGqfhcffoQIviICLf2MCljCA5MOUrz8TfsfKzojWOzxkQNzJuEoabSlkC5BebrIf4B3ivdFWFbYNL-UgBdRltSe5pXt8eUrPlMjsjm5Drl/s400/P1050770.JPG" width="291" height="218"
title="Rooftop Cinema" class="bottom left5"></a>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwHlWC_VHvOf2G4ufWw6rZXD2XTWRgfwVWDlKyRUCWq3ITYwnUKqOnTG7aJarT-qJsuEZwsrtcV4W7OY7fTw5ygHGpOk_5TnBMOd28aja7Rfs4elGLEdFW_cOpsGmS7TOA2-v1Ec6zyxwM/s800/P1050768.JPG" target="blank"><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwHlWC_VHvOf2G4ufWw6rZXD2XTWRgfwVWDlKyRUCWq3ITYwnUKqOnTG7aJarT-qJsuEZwsrtcV4W7OY7fTw5ygHGpOk_5TnBMOd28aja7Rfs4elGLEdFW_cOpsGmS7TOA2-v1Ec6zyxwM/s400/P1050768.JPG" width="291" height="218"
title="Melbourne is swellbourne" class="top bottom left5"></a>
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That’s why I’m stoked that we’ve already checked the rooftop cinema off our list. It was an amazing first experience in
Melbourne, and will stick out in our minds as one of the best things we’ve done on our trip.
<br /><br />
P.S. It’s also an awesome place to take a date. Tickets cost $20, but chicks dig it.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXMwSjAFBB7oMqbtnt9zlZWJazrveo8p6s9JQJlfvJ5tq828H9nl78kl6qx4zfCt0yR9bsgR0X1lGOiqX8xRLhsjNH-mz6dHpzAkKqT6UP64pGXaG2eryWV8lU57BCqEqwiMJh1SSU7tDB/s800/P1050779.JPG" target="blank"><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXMwSjAFBB7oMqbtnt9zlZWJazrveo8p6s9JQJlfvJ5tq828H9nl78kl6qx4zfCt0yR9bsgR0X1lGOiqX8xRLhsjNH-mz6dHpzAkKqT6UP64pGXaG2eryWV8lU57BCqEqwiMJh1SSU7tDB/s640/P1050779.JPG" width="596" height="336"
title="romantic eh?" class="bottom"></a>
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<br />
<iframe src="http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Fpushpinpilgrim.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F01%2Fgo-to-rooftop-cinema-because-we-said-so.html&layout=standard&show_faces=true&width=450&action=like&font=trebuchet+ms&colorscheme=light&height=80" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="border:none; overflow:hidden; width:450px; height:30px;" allowTransparency="true"></iframe>Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10686840547537438655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846538628972127284.post-44984450825697958732011-01-06T16:16:00.006+11:002011-01-08T22:58:21.760+11:00Christmas Down Under<table width="600" border="0" cellspacing ="0" cellpadding="0">
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<a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Melbourne,+Australia&sll=-
45.031162,168.662644&sspn=0.047314,0.110378&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Melbourne+Victoria,+Australia&ll=-
38.000491,144.827271&spn=1.688147,3.532104&t=h&z=8" target="blank"><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_lBpW4NN3ncxwjvfYtzUzh5QDB4a23K4d3eOTc5HsSH3BaNmPmpNWPCpQEr2sgoWPUoMXOjfXqXKPZoGqnQUXygoT2SOZsI3nkHaoOMvlgDKbBnZ029m-e9FRLvHVg0o50UJfTNJXokIm/s400/Fullscreen%20capture
%20162011%20120654%20AM.bmp.jpg" width="291" height="178" title="Click for satellite views with Google Maps" class="top
left5"></a>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtcpyjJm4BJClez03V0koGI07_19dblC__1iB422b3zrjnnGKKcvdIX6LMfmOkqyB0FdFs7Ckuj8uCY3XBzwNh3BlsrZYDXCV_ne5GxqoaSp4gVyqWpJLouBPOtQ4oiwCWMjIRvHFkcZ-0/s800/P1050812.JPG" target="blank"><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtcpyjJm4BJClez03V0koGI07_19dblC__1iB422b3zrjnnGKKcvdIX6LMfmOkqyB0FdFs7Ckuj8uCY3XBzwNh3BlsrZYDXCV_ne5GxqoaSp4gVyqWpJLouBPOtQ4oiwCWMjIRvHFkcZ-0/s400/P1050812.JPG" width="291" height="178"
title="Christmas crowns" class="top right5"></a>
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<td valign="top" colspan="2">Spending Christmas alone is something that every long-term traveler has to accept. All the
special days – birthdays, graduations, and the biggies like Christmas – aren’t spent eating your grandmother’s pie with your
cousin Brad as your Dad sleeps in front of the TV.
<br /><br />Nope. We travelers spend these holidays in a hostel common room drinking a bottle of €2 wine with SvÜrgen,
the Viking dude in the bunk above you.
<br /><br />And I’m here to say there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s awesome actually - everyone should spend at least
one holiday with a Viking.
<br /><br />So as a weathered traveler, it was strange yet awesome for me to head to Melbourne this Christmas to spend
the holidays with my Uncle Tony, Aunt Angela, and cousins Mick and Pat. I was finally spending time with the fam. And
traveling. Living the dream…
<br /><br />Let’s just say it was sweet. We’ve never spent Christmas in such a different place. Instead of two-feet of
snow (what up NY) we had 41 C heat (that’s 106 F America). Instead of deep-fried turkey (what up Tennessee) we had jumbo
shrimp, salmon, and a lobster like shellfish called a <a href="http://www.google.co.nz/search?sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-
8&q=moreton+bay+bug" target="blank">Moreton Bay Bug</a>.
<br /><br />Needless to say, the food was amazing, but the craziest part was that CAZ ATE SEAFOOD. It was an Aussie
Christmas miracle.
<br /><br />The weather is different, the food is fresh, and the summer is just getting started. Honestly, I couldn’t
think of a cooler way to end the holiday season than with the start of summer.
<br /><br />And I’m pretty sure that all the reindeers down here have red-noses. You know…sunburn.
<br /><br />Hey O.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJKTDomhZXjwRL8G8ug4NEQcjqwyRqB1gXpYVPPBZSCpoqPpZl_BopGPOPMdodpaKGq1BJIk4SxvH8dOxHEMHS_XjymPxwwfpmClKv7MFjB1Bc-vTJxonHaCfSEoDpo0nxjgY4lmkR0cou/s640/P1050621.JPG" target="blank"><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJKTDomhZXjwRL8G8ug4NEQcjqwyRqB1gXpYVPPBZSCpoqPpZl_BopGPOPMdodpaKGq1BJIk4SxvH8dOxHEMHS_XjymPxwwfpmClKv7MFjB1Bc-vTJxonHaCfSEoDpo0nxjgY4lmkR0cou/s640/P1050621.JPG" width="596" height="336"
title="Melbourne skyline from Albert Park" class="bottom"></a>
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<a href="http://pushpinpilgrim.blogspot.com/p/comics.html" target="blank"><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGjUrK4J2joTCgb98nBxSql-fieBb_566mGt1MS3U9dZ8uvBwpngNN_FeED1MUlrgY_H1wChrzwYVjHclXN5cvRzn6-kEOBayMATsmBjV8wtWDgeIdLQIW9v2rKPxywVQ7mO70MDlm9In/s400/P1050787.JPG" width="291" height="218"
title="dinner down under" class="top bottom left5"></a>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAK1AmC6QAE__r4Ey-47p4d9ne0LK02gMtLkyrP_hxheBEm9A6yRw3zo5tf6G4bUsG-L6iI3pVcF8Eo-nwnoLmiJ4EPq_ksii5S5mgu3x9Ar5rOztZn0WQr2xPWDoQUasIl3C-mqWKBFrm/s800/P1050803.JPG" target="blank"><img
src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAK1AmC6QAE__r4Ey-47p4d9ne0LK02gMtLkyrP_hxheBEm9A6yRw3zo5tf6G4bUsG-L6iI3pVcF8Eo-nwnoLmiJ4EPq_ksii5S5mgu3x9Ar5rOztZn0WQr2xPWDoQUasIl3C-mqWKBFrm/s400/P1050803.JPG" width="291" height="218"
title="eating the bay bug!" class="top bottom right5"></a>
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<a href="http://pushpinpilgrim.blogspot.com/p/comics.html"
target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2agSgR31HFx5x-WnnQl-dCue4iS-XQlsWhyphenhyphen7sC4VtGTzOAnRp8gSMcsQeKtL1ulhk_xaXTLQHfvz4cjKgTJ2skQQExEWh37FKQZyaSoTa53a4ezE9cVRCEXdUsU_h2L4OdnFmEALBowy9/s640/Jewish%20Viking2.jpg"
width="596" height="358" title="Shawn got a drawing tablet for Christmas"></a>
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<br />
<iframe src="http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Fpushpinpilgrim.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F01%2Fchristmas-down-under.html&layout=standard&show_faces=true&width=450&action=like&font=trebuchet+ms&colorscheme=light&height=80" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="border:none; overflow:hidden; width:450px; height:30px;" allowTransparency="true"></iframe>Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10686840547537438655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846538628972127284.post-20682253559505808462011-01-02T20:30:00.002+11:002011-01-05T23:12:46.152+11:00We're back!When we stopped updating the blog seven months ago, I never thought restarting it would take a freaking New Year’s resolution. I can’t believe we put off posting for that long.
<br /><br />
But I’m writing to let everyone know that the blog is back. And it’s gonna be sweet.
<br /><br />
We’ve just arrived in <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?oe=UTF-8&q=melbourne,+australia&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Melbourne+Victoria,+Australia&ll=-28.767659,143.789063&spn=48.531802,101.25&t=h&z=3" target="blank">Melbourne, Australia</a> for the second leg of what is hopefully turning into a world tour, and we’re picking up the posts from here to keep everyone updated on where we are in the present. But we’ve still got heaps of stories to tell from New Zealand so don’t be thrown off when we pepper in backdated posts from time to time.
<br /><br />
Also, the blog is evolving to include more topics than just our quirky little trip, so we’ll be featuring guest bloggers, travel book and website reviews, video blogs of destinations and events, and a growing interactive role for you – the reader. We want you to send us recommendations of where to go, what to see, what to do – anything that you’ve done or hope to do on your travels. Guess what? We’ll probably do it. We’re here for a while and are looking for the best trip possible. That means taking advice, tips, and even ridiculous suggestions from anyone and everyone.
<br /><br />
Pushpin Pilgrim is going to grow as our trip unfolds. We started 2010 in Fiji and we’re starting 2011 in Australia, so who knows where it’ll end? The answer could be up to you.
<br /><br />
Thanks for reading, guys.
<br/ ><br />
Sincerely super duper sorry about the lull in posts,
<br />
Shawn and Caz (that’s Carolyn’s new nickname...don’t worry it’ll grow on you.)
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpDvMiu-qvJiDw8PWGIyFF-rqhfAOyniQn7QYje3H2mM1UhdpXPwHxZuPQGE9r1uwUogSRZztm8SxhDj2D376FMVAwVhKmAuv40xAllRZGaxDmbx7dGRAc9jwRue2bm7OJNv-zpTJm8jQH/s800/P1040207.JPG" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpDvMiu-qvJiDw8PWGIyFF-rqhfAOyniQn7QYje3H2mM1UhdpXPwHxZuPQGE9r1uwUogSRZztm8SxhDj2D376FMVAwVhKmAuv40xAllRZGaxDmbx7dGRAc9jwRue2bm7OJNv-zpTJm8jQH/s800/P1040207.JPG" width="596" height="446" title="Welcome back! 'Stache attack!" class="bottom"></a>
<br /><br />
<iframe src="http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Fpushpinpilgrim.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F01%2Fwere-back.html&layout=standard&show_faces=true&width=450&action=like&font=trebuchet+ms&colorscheme=light&height=80" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="border:none; overflow:hidden; width:450px; height:30px;" allowTransparency="true"></iframe>Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10686840547537438655noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846538628972127284.post-23165475424101327072010-05-30T17:37:00.000+10:002010-05-30T17:37:03.811+10:00Hurunui Campsite<table width="600" border="0" cellspacing ="0" cellpadding="0">
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<a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Hurunui+Mouth,+New+Zealand&sll=-42.882505,173.40065&sspn=0.198237,0.441513&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Hurunui+Mouth,+New+Zealand&t=h&z=14" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimEr8LmcJvYGl942Kr9FRMT8RRPgygqjs5vQmOX10ASWy_mdWxS_AvZVd_X0Qv8wXhE4RqvKC2us1cJ9WR7ESHt2QIeq0cbvzKf4F5jevHtDbH35o6dUVEtfs13Nz77UL3oZSafcM4DFOI/s400/map_hurunui.jpg" width="291" height="178" title="Click for satellite views with Google Maps" class="top left5"></a>
</td>
<td valign="top">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjse1RRaK3CLcYDUY4BLSty7aIlsIOS4Eu5ZfHkNT0IhPtr_msNmlprnR1Ni68oJRJHWH0AuzgB_exp8oG7pe52GnRDlCm9mrx4PEShNyqZKfsAFnKVMLxXGZk-jwtw3nNZg8Saxt99AC2S/s800/bathroom.jpg" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjse1RRaK3CLcYDUY4BLSty7aIlsIOS4Eu5ZfHkNT0IhPtr_msNmlprnR1Ni68oJRJHWH0AuzgB_exp8oG7pe52GnRDlCm9mrx4PEShNyqZKfsAFnKVMLxXGZk-jwtw3nNZg8Saxt99AC2S/s400/bathroom.jpg" width="291" height="178" title="No shooting in the bathroom...that's very important." class="top right5"></a>
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<td valign="top" colspan="2">There isn’t much between Kaikoura and Christchurch except for a few stretches of seal covered beach. It’s nice, but we had a tough time finding a campsite. Luckily, our handy dandy atlas had a tent icon at Hurunui River Mouth, just south of Cheviot, so we headed to where the river meets the sea.
<br /><br />The lovely bomb shelter-esque bathrooms and deserted camp sites were intimidating at first, but the sign that said “This camp is run on the honesty of campers” and the sunny weather decided it for us. We stayed and it was the best idea ever.
<br /><br />Turns out the camping fee was only $4 per site – not per person, like most campsites in NZ – and the creepy bathroom had a mirror, two nice sinks, and full-on flush toilets…simple pleasures these days. There were even a few apple trees with apples still on em, <a href="http://pushpinpilgrim.blogspot.com/2010/05/apple-picking.html" target="blank">not that we ever want to eat apples again</a>.
<br /><br />After night two, we went on a sweet barefoot hike along the river. The mud squishing through our toes was disgusting at first, but then we noticed thousands of bubbles coming from under the water and curiosity had us excitedly digging in the mud to find the source. We never could figure out what was creating the bubbles - maybe oysters or geothermal activity - but in hindsight we’re glad our digging didn’t lead to a geyser exploding in our face.
<br /><br />Even though a few other campers came the second night and the mud ended up smelling pretty bad, we’ll remember Hurunui River as our own private getaway. We enjoyed a full moon, cooked some good dinner, and got some much needed quiet time on New Zealand’s beautiful East Coast. Two thumbs up.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjST2ZhOy7aNTNuBOjLstg1NkTXXBB_iT09mivcpDN53_1aeI5v5V_CMmQmkQPZ4_ekpgrKum0xfAs39_EEe8TILuUVYAhIda6xcmpAW4s0oLOfKleRG090R7qSQJri5v7FnV_mfKSWqFSZ/s800/flash_hurunui.jpg" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjST2ZhOy7aNTNuBOjLstg1NkTXXBB_iT09mivcpDN53_1aeI5v5V_CMmQmkQPZ4_ekpgrKum0xfAs39_EEe8TILuUVYAhIda6xcmpAW4s0oLOfKleRG090R7qSQJri5v7FnV_mfKSWqFSZ/s400/flash_hurunui.jpg" width="291" height="218" title="home sweet home" class="top bottom left5"></a>
</td>
<td valign="top">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG-VxPw_6xc7gwwGvDOxHX9lQoJxTeqbJanzMBjNArX0aiv0NGSJJ8DZL2Ijyi6P-dKQXvSmpkIPp0wwRJrgkfkfXBMYq47poH4Gc0R7_tUWbc2Q4bbCzwiPp8Jw-G9_5uS1BvxhrNQAZr/s800/tiretracks.jpg" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG-VxPw_6xc7gwwGvDOxHX9lQoJxTeqbJanzMBjNArX0aiv0NGSJJ8DZL2Ijyi6P-dKQXvSmpkIPp0wwRJrgkfkfXBMYq47poH4Gc0R7_tUWbc2Q4bbCzwiPp8Jw-G9_5uS1BvxhrNQAZr/s400/tiretracks.jpg" width="291" height="218" title="tire tracks in the river mouth at low tide" class="top bottom right5"></a>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJtIYRG-lGhyGDVHlOTpkHghU-WOVesNqChfjTlQynzousXBKdHs0h1Rp96QxgEedPYBGaDLX5C0ywjxWojSLSbdg1Z3MWsuAzra1uJLB3RIJ_NLzVHHUPQshAq7y5PwsBIybND4Xi6a56/s800/moonlight.jpg" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJtIYRG-lGhyGDVHlOTpkHghU-WOVesNqChfjTlQynzousXBKdHs0h1Rp96QxgEedPYBGaDLX5C0ywjxWojSLSbdg1Z3MWsuAzra1uJLB3RIJ_NLzVHHUPQshAq7y5PwsBIybND4Xi6a56/s400/moonlight.jpg" width="291" height="218" title="that's the MOON!" class="top left5"></a>
</td>
<td valign="top">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJAqNxy23PHmGFNnNit6AfkUwi0AxU8GZ0QsreBr_xaaY42yZmdsTKrjhdrnT1tRdGR9fhVwqRDUrYgZiXVoghCcnlmEvyYU3yZmC5yXV-5uXfTiGRSMfvBhdJvHSfSJVo3n5Puy7wjJ_j/s800/flowers.jpg" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJAqNxy23PHmGFNnNit6AfkUwi0AxU8GZ0QsreBr_xaaY42yZmdsTKrjhdrnT1tRdGR9fhVwqRDUrYgZiXVoghCcnlmEvyYU3yZmC5yXV-5uXfTiGRSMfvBhdJvHSfSJVo3n5Puy7wjJ_j/s400/flowers.jpg" width="291" height="218" title="I'm turning into my mom" class="top right5"></a>
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</table>Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10686840547537438655noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846538628972127284.post-87504546870232542772010-05-22T14:53:00.001+10:002010-05-22T14:56:54.656+10:00Kaikoura<table width="600" border="0" cellspacing ="0" cellpadding="0">
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<a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Kaikoura,+New+Zealand&sll=-41.517254,173.953228&sspn=0.025321,0.055189&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Kaikoura,+Canterbury,+New+Zealand&t=h&z=10" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0gOjohMZu9saq_oc1f7-DDjVLoQAl7zkQImBJRd7jRGqBrUAbBquNO5S5ftIj_FeDdwv0o1YLVfBB5YDYlUxQwe2XAJAjXT04UvUabhTiCItySw7hKCBHeCPwzhjzbsv6Ci8LxXKs1Ef1/s400/map_kaikoura.jpg" width="291" height="178" title="Click for satellite views with Google Maps" class="top left5"></a>
</td>
<td valign="top">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg692Rwcui7Ey3ukBc3G6DBYNTSYwxOVoVLakyfgmfvNgsbcKR8dUAEsg02Yx0I7QTuZFDsbiTtBjA3RYDZhzJmgYTLzw8YQWlAMdfBE8K8UH-_BgeGcEyBrzuuyl_OaH-nZLkCJ5sTtUkZ/s800/seal_top.jpg" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg692Rwcui7Ey3ukBc3G6DBYNTSYwxOVoVLakyfgmfvNgsbcKR8dUAEsg02Yx0I7QTuZFDsbiTtBjA3RYDZhzJmgYTLzw8YQWlAMdfBE8K8UH-_BgeGcEyBrzuuyl_OaH-nZLkCJ5sTtUkZ/s400/seal_top.jpg" width="291" height="178" title="SEALS!" class="top right5"></a>
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<td valign="top" colspan="2">Kaikoura means "eat crayfish" in Maori, and while we hear the local giant crayfish are a must-have delicacy, we spent all of our time in Kaikoura looking at seals. <b>THERE ARE SO MANY SEALS IN KAIKOURA!</b> Today's post is dedicated to my 2 year-old nephew Colt. He's one of our most faithful readers, and he likes seals. Enjoy buddy.
<br/><br />
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<td align="center" valign="top">Peek-a-boo Mr. Seal!
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMb9HdX1Zdhx5pjTH_8Czh-KJAMRq6wCz5CMvarnHvsU7bHEDsn3rZXzOT5e-l_qJpKvBUmL2e1RMsGbDj5imBXs7adt0c-VFBSm7zO-rEAu5z-uEOtkFixoO7sNkprr25Qhti-QqdW7Kq/s400/seal6.jpg" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMb9HdX1Zdhx5pjTH_8Czh-KJAMRq6wCz5CMvarnHvsU7bHEDsn3rZXzOT5e-l_qJpKvBUmL2e1RMsGbDj5imBXs7adt0c-VFBSm7zO-rEAu5z-uEOtkFixoO7sNkprr25Qhti-QqdW7Kq/s400/seal6.jpg" width="291" height="392" title="He sees you..." class="top left5"></a>
</td>
<td align="center" valign="top">Seals love to swim, just like you.
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6nr64jqVyLCSIYGoyUh1NsUa2yrmJoIOEA2BPkhdTf3e0O2a3BsXF2M3xL7WqWxSYKjBjRZ-D9OZuR8eOFyq_ZhyUN2wVk6pQJrpsvwzBYVeLrMotAk7e1XGYDjnolx_2SPVnbBI-Op0P/s800/sealswim.jpg" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6nr64jqVyLCSIYGoyUh1NsUa2yrmJoIOEA2BPkhdTf3e0O2a3BsXF2M3xL7WqWxSYKjBjRZ-D9OZuR8eOFyq_ZhyUN2wVk6pQJrpsvwzBYVeLrMotAk7e1XGYDjnolx_2SPVnbBI-Op0P/s400/sealswim.jpg" width="291" height="392" title="They bite like you too..." class="top right5"></a>
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<td align="center" valign="top">Can you count how many seals there are?
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWk9ywoQo0jSd0N3mPbkHezvSpCd1C0F6v8JVzyhUMsrSUQbjBU0FCE1OfFwQukQzdoAAvo-5mI59hUlk9hN5hJOCCo3dwyTcFyiLgG-MI7s5gVzcsNBWiJi7UNu_dKbgIt13HluxEJOBG/s800/seals.jpg" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWk9ywoQo0jSd0N3mPbkHezvSpCd1C0F6v8JVzyhUMsrSUQbjBU0FCE1OfFwQukQzdoAAvo-5mI59hUlk9hN5hJOCCo3dwyTcFyiLgG-MI7s5gVzcsNBWiJi7UNu_dKbgIt13HluxEJOBG/s400/seals.jpg" width="291" height="218" title="18" class="top left5"></a>
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<td align="center" valign="top">Seals love naptime, and so should you!
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDBrEM5cphybsmccNt-a7tq0CF35jAT1d970-ZeEJX3bmkmdHqCEiZjkZNMWMNpYLSI-o3Et6Mp14AV5XPe-4LcrPD5Z90y94tpKKAGYSoO072trc1FHtE0H2ELg5TV6BzdyKthUr7JkgE/s800/seal1.jpg" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDBrEM5cphybsmccNt-a7tq0CF35jAT1d970-ZeEJX3bmkmdHqCEiZjkZNMWMNpYLSI-o3Et6Mp14AV5XPe-4LcrPD5Z90y94tpKKAGYSoO072trc1FHtE0H2ELg5TV6BzdyKthUr7JkgE/s400/seal1.jpg" width="291" height="218" title="They also love sharing toys, and they hate whining." class="top right5"></a>
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<td align="center" valign="bottom">Baby seals are called pups.
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLolmzgL0PpyLhtZw_va2ciidg6Egmu3wMlEshkWwhmJYIbzzEFa5r_tM3Nk18JZLyX54oae6qn52Mm4lUhyFkZoXTPiGsnfyMIUS4ohBJbWSXU8Yzcm6Ev3kbH_YEFrUNSWk8JkeiQsHY/s800/seal4.jpg" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLolmzgL0PpyLhtZw_va2ciidg6Egmu3wMlEshkWwhmJYIbzzEFa5r_tM3Nk18JZLyX54oae6qn52Mm4lUhyFkZoXTPiGsnfyMIUS4ohBJbWSXU8Yzcm6Ev3kbH_YEFrUNSWk8JkeiQsHY/s400/seal4.jpg" width="291" height="218" title="awwwwwww" class="top left5"></a>
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<td align="center" valign="top">This is an adorable little seal pup that made Shawn scream like a girl and run away because he <i>swears</i> it was a big, angry mommy seal.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTb4Eo1qoEND-7t_lIIzGdKbPbsehCBabr-ODNMidUO5bulSswOoj7VuhdxQLwVnxSF8wt5ASBXOtOlbe_L_IavcaeuBHAztYDy-68LywyGrKCthYvHirDcwb-H2rUowIvDMHpNdr6G3Al/s800/seal5.jpg" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTb4Eo1qoEND-7t_lIIzGdKbPbsehCBabr-ODNMidUO5bulSswOoj7VuhdxQLwVnxSF8wt5ASBXOtOlbe_L_IavcaeuBHAztYDy-68LywyGrKCthYvHirDcwb-H2rUowIvDMHpNdr6G3Al/s400/seal5.jpg" width="291" height="218" title="''It was 10 feet long and had teeth like a crocodile!''" class="top right5"></a>
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<td align="center" valign="bottom">This seal is on a rock.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhKt5l2BuhA9DpwZHSfwBKXx3GrJOH_P9m6md1LQrOT33XHdHjMuM2V1JN3vw99kDjWq0oZkoAZn28SuzZsBd7SifwgAAwZdKi3qtphJM_hpru3te7_lq3tOKJRStRG2UwujYSScd2VyNt/s800/seal7.jpg" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhKt5l2BuhA9DpwZHSfwBKXx3GrJOH_P9m6md1LQrOT33XHdHjMuM2V1JN3vw99kDjWq0oZkoAZn28SuzZsBd7SifwgAAwZdKi3qtphJM_hpru3te7_lq3tOKJRStRG2UwujYSScd2VyNt/s400/seal7.jpg" width="291" height="218" title="Not in a box, not with a fox." class="top left5"></a>
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<td align="center" valign="top">This seal is on the grass, and Shawn has a new mullet haircut. Silly seal! Silly Shawn!
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz3S1M_N__jemkr5w1nec6DRtvz4lQNGjvCO-c_t7CyeJETfoFwtSvb-Pvn1kFfiroVFQ-9YZpQNsmYJunDoOZveB48JIco1VyRAShNnoeD6XvXCxg7bzmRlTAh82nOT0Tu_58HP5_e1TL/s800/seal8.jpg" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz3S1M_N__jemkr5w1nec6DRtvz4lQNGjvCO-c_t7CyeJETfoFwtSvb-Pvn1kFfiroVFQ-9YZpQNsmYJunDoOZveB48JIco1VyRAShNnoeD6XvXCxg7bzmRlTAh82nOT0Tu_58HP5_e1TL/s400/seal8.jpg" width="291" height="218" title="I can cut a sweet kiwi-mullet." class="top right5"></a>
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<td align="center" valign="top" colspan="2">This is my new friend.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZduNVaD1RZAyZDxSb8876gvGddZwkkdAXpZsOJH4lSgX_mSqAE7nMI_vPHhyphenhyphengBdFRw2NVFLan-zW-FRFqWuxYI_XUFIGhrhe08wQ_bRYcRDRMuPEiujpT6SUUul1__Dqp8GXmbgvAUG6_/s800/ct1.jpg" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZduNVaD1RZAyZDxSb8876gvGddZwkkdAXpZsOJH4lSgX_mSqAE7nMI_vPHhyphenhyphengBdFRw2NVFLan-zW-FRFqWuxYI_XUFIGhrhe08wQ_bRYcRDRMuPEiujpT6SUUul1__Dqp8GXmbgvAUG6_/s800/ct1.jpg" width="596" height="446" title="''Come here often?''" class="top"></a>
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<td align="center" valign="top" colspan="2">We shared a moment.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2W8XIOPnKVLWo-K825OLArsOBABi3A_7Qwq89uzXJnQMbiN_MrAK6FZCso8VrB6SYvaQQtzETVQ4cB6AY2vku-UA9-AewUJZyhEe8Bl4wIe0AMsOr6PIYnah2pYiChCTH2jpDajtqev5W/s800/ct2.jpg" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2W8XIOPnKVLWo-K825OLArsOBABi3A_7Qwq89uzXJnQMbiN_MrAK6FZCso8VrB6SYvaQQtzETVQ4cB6AY2vku-UA9-AewUJZyhEe8Bl4wIe0AMsOr6PIYnah2pYiChCTH2jpDajtqev5W/s800/ct2.jpg" width="596" height="446" title="In Yoga, this is an Upwards Facing Seal" class="top"></a>
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<td align="center" valign="top" colspan="2">Then I had to go!
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcn8ClA9VUM8brELaUpfrSoNithKxjzG06F5ybQQMFrb9BEUMM9ClWuG5WDYlzsqvWeZEaRRnAInZgrGgsH1FDOEvP9nPz4fbHsCwakWhPhXGArkfzuYICjnT6lWLXo-Dcg56gi-GEz0Jz/s800/ct3.jpg" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcn8ClA9VUM8brELaUpfrSoNithKxjzG06F5ybQQMFrb9BEUMM9ClWuG5WDYlzsqvWeZEaRRnAInZgrGgsH1FDOEvP9nPz4fbHsCwakWhPhXGArkfzuYICjnT6lWLXo-Dcg56gi-GEz0Jz/s800/ct3.jpg" width="596" height="446" title="Bad human!" class="top"></a>
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<td align="center" valign="top" colspan="2">For even MORE seal photos (and some really awesome seaweed pics too), check out the full album.
<br /><br />
<div id="PictoBrowser100522163606">There's a sweet photo album here, but it looks like your device doesn't support <a href="http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer" target="blank">Flash</a>.<br />No worries! Simply <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crtaylor/NewZealandKaikoura?feat=directlink" target="blank">view the web album on Picasa.</a></div><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.db798.com/pictobrowser/swfobject.js"></script><script type="text/javascript"> var so = new SWFObject("http://www.db798.com/pictobrowserp.swf", "PictoBrowser", "600", "585", "8", "#ffffff"); so.addVariable("source", "album"); so.addVariable("userName", "crtaylor@gmail.com"); so.addVariable("names", "NewZealandKaikoura"); so.addVariable("albumId", "5473946100102686129"); so.addVariable("titles", "off"); so.addVariable("displayNotes", "always"); so.addVariable("thumbAutoHide", "off"); so.addVariable("imageSize", "original"); so.addVariable("vAlign", "top"); so.addVariable("vertOffset", "0"); so.addVariable("colorHexVar", "ffffff"); so.addVariable("initialScale", "on"); so.addVariable("bgAlpha", "8"); so.write("PictoBrowser100522163606"); </script>
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</table>Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03995527122439836127noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846538628972127284.post-53019685075386766992010-05-20T13:57:00.003+10:002010-05-21T10:24:06.978+10:00Blasting Blenheim<table width="600" border="0" cellspacing ="0" cellpadding="0">
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<a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Blenheim,+New+Zealand&sll=-40.987155,173.041363&sspn=0.047815,0.110378&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Blenheim,+Marlborough,+New+Zealand&ll=-41.517254,173.953228&spn=0.025321,0.055189&t=h&z=14" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7n7wv9EwJjvZJsY7AxVExs0VR9D95TUDURIN6SZG_n8_ed-i01GK_IY79qZ7QMFx6AYZmUGW6NUYjxrueWZOliUa4kVsCTdg3Z7BMnWw0_mvEJhOY4LEP67sZnUiHE94ZWjqcEQJQGs_g/s400/map_blenheim.jpg" width="291" height="178" title="Click for satellite views with Google Maps" class="top left5"></a>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsfmdf_knLcWSrJUANap0wU7bxNCKkPB8pl4IQ-6NxJsjgyJ8CQ2z7wxPktm6fkvor2BRK6rCroqB1YLZVbQAoGZ4i0jIWfkgG0-G4e5uiAN-6c72Ea1o6-FCK1nskyIPtolqN5JKUq73S/s800/buylocal.jpg" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsfmdf_knLcWSrJUANap0wU7bxNCKkPB8pl4IQ-6NxJsjgyJ8CQ2z7wxPktm6fkvor2BRK6rCroqB1YLZVbQAoGZ4i0jIWfkgG0-G4e5uiAN-6c72Ea1o6-FCK1nskyIPtolqN5JKUq73S/s400/buylocal.jpg" width="291" height="178" title="Shawn can never say no to a pretty lady." class="top right5"></a>
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<td valign="top" colspan="2">Care and I were so excited to see some new scenery after what felt like an eternity in the <a href="http://www.dayout.co.nz/travelguides.asp" target="blank">Nelson/Marlborough Region</a>, so we just drove as far as we could before sunset. That got us to Blenheim, a small town in the heart of New Zealand wine country.
<br /><br />We freedom camped just south of town, near a mountain bike track. The parking lot was fine, but it didn’t have any facilities, meaning every morning we had to wake up and speed to town so we didn’t pee our pants. We make every effort to be responsible freedom campers because we want to diffuse the negative stereotypes that locals have about budget travelers. A lot of Kiwis <b>hate</b> freedom campers because there’s always one disrespectful vagabond that litters and poops in the bushes, ruining things for everyone else.
<br /><br />There was one small surprise about sleeping among the Blenheim vineyards…hearing constant gunshots.
<br /><br />That’s right – <b>constant gunshots</b>.
<br /><br />At one point, we thought we were being attacked by canons. It put living in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bedford%E2%80%93Stuyvesant,_Brooklyn" target="blank">Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn</a> to shame. Apparently there’s a large NZ Air Force base just west of town, and they like to practice…you know in case <i>freaking New Zealand</i> gets invaded. After listening to how much the <a href="http://www.airforce.mil.nz/" target="blank">Royal NZ Air Force</a> practices, I pity any country dumb enough to attack the Kiwis.
<br /><br />A highlight of Blenheim was the <a href="http://www.marketground.co.nz/ClubSite.asp?SiteID=11699&NoCache=8/5/2009%2010:35:38%20AM" target="blank">Sunday morning farmers’ market</a>. A charming old man from a local olive orchard, <a href="http://www.marketground.co.nz/TeamSite.asp?SiteID=13014" target="blank">Tussock</a>, took the time to explain several types of olives they grow, and let us taste the difference in the oils. We were impressed, so we bought a really tasty bottle of garlic-infused olive oil.
<br /><br />People keep asking if we think New Zealand is “backwards” or “twenty years behind”, and we’ve always been confused by the question. I mean, things are slower here, but that’s mostly due to the smaller population (4 million), not the lack of any technology or convenience. Sure, free internet is a little tougher to find, central heating doesn’t exist, and don’t even get Carolyn started on how crappy the laundry dryers are here. But other than that, it’s sweet as.
<br /><br />Anyhoo…
<br /><br />The farmers’ market was one of the only times where saw what people mean about going back in time. The farmers’ markets here are held by…real farmers. It’s not like the pockets of “rural consciousness” that pop up in Union Square or abandoned K-Mart parking lots on a Saturday morning in the States. These people head to the horse grounds in town and sell their produce. Little kids run around getting their faces painted and listening to the “Story Time Lady”. It’s not a pretense at capturing the lost agrarian utopia. It’s just farmers. At a market. Same thing goes for the endless number of fruit stands and “fresh eggs” signs you see on every road and motorway in New Zealand.
<br /><br />The simplicity and functionality made me feel transported in time. The only question is, with the frenzied rate that people in the States seem to be going “back” to organic produce and grass-fed animals, is New Zealand a land frozen in the distant past, or a country light years ahead in the future?
<br /><br />I know, mind blower, right?
<br /><br />You’re welcome.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy27nzlxmkvrfJHLDecFGe6Ff7zhOV5R9GuqPNVRnRSgJvQRefbl50at2xfjNfDobfpBKabw30coaRqMwbzTjh2vs1ejE7e2khz6lI3miMEr9lVc2MA3oPTkAwyzGYTjlDmzX2Au89nWuk/s800/oliveoil.jpg" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy27nzlxmkvrfJHLDecFGe6Ff7zhOV5R9GuqPNVRnRSgJvQRefbl50at2xfjNfDobfpBKabw30coaRqMwbzTjh2vs1ejE7e2khz6lI3miMEr9lVc2MA3oPTkAwyzGYTjlDmzX2Au89nWuk/s400/oliveoil.jpg" width="291" height="218" title="BYO bottle olive oil" class="top bottom left5"></a>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUkurQuhbdNqeD2tIw4QihIABQlPV70MkX1zXoGoasaDTJTJCcXowgvKPZCAHtdqt9YcHfq5ZPo86ahIZoGXLQdCHu2kPHjHCCnZSYbf0TkbTyJ1I87pMPopLsyo2ZrEWFx9WRZvMMY9YK/s800/hooray.jpg" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUkurQuhbdNqeD2tIw4QihIABQlPV70MkX1zXoGoasaDTJTJCcXowgvKPZCAHtdqt9YcHfq5ZPo86ahIZoGXLQdCHu2kPHjHCCnZSYbf0TkbTyJ1I87pMPopLsyo2ZrEWFx9WRZvMMY9YK/s400/hooray.jpg" width="291" height="218" title="yay for farmers" class="top bottom right5"></a>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJTj6eP8zBo17qyGnde0QSOKjfXjSJl7z-NCfThyCe8WnrJq5JKLEcKRL0g5d9WkJc2jSAlRSM2jUiDNoZ-WaM6nvCg0O2rQ1dEqFDNfSwy-DWbtyMROpv0SW3oVsPywa-huVICzTpRdb1/s800/applebobbing.jpg" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJTj6eP8zBo17qyGnde0QSOKjfXjSJl7z-NCfThyCe8WnrJq5JKLEcKRL0g5d9WkJc2jSAlRSM2jUiDNoZ-WaM6nvCg0O2rQ1dEqFDNfSwy-DWbtyMROpv0SW3oVsPywa-huVICzTpRdb1/s400/applebobbing.jpg" width="291" height="390" title="bobbing for apples" class="top left5"></a>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnvYzMLiJBXOz6e-XupNmwg5-_eMBt95zvN0RHHTzkHhe2isTF1CoOQFPjY8fQ_h1Cdz556RHZ54rh4qM0pzW-Va4gzAhYdBgHyC_CFmTiJIQwHcS27z3snlFvVpby3ityvkFQpYkZKyli/s800/farmersmarket2.jpg" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnvYzMLiJBXOz6e-XupNmwg5-_eMBt95zvN0RHHTzkHhe2isTF1CoOQFPjY8fQ_h1Cdz556RHZ54rh4qM0pzW-Va4gzAhYdBgHyC_CFmTiJIQwHcS27z3snlFvVpby3ityvkFQpYkZKyli/s400/farmersmarket2.jpg" width="291" height="390" title="''From Farm Gate to Dinner Plate''" class="top right5"></a>
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</table>Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10686840547537438655noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846538628972127284.post-86530474052080819452010-05-18T11:45:00.001+10:002010-05-21T10:32:09.582+10:00Hiking the Abel Tasman National Park<table width="600" border="0" cellspacing ="0" cellpadding="0">
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<a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Abel+Tasman,+New+Zealand&sll=-41.110107,173.011121&sspn=0.101918,0.220757&g=Motueka,+New+Zealand&ie=UTF8&hq=Abel+Tasman+National+Park&hnear=Abel+Tasman+National+Park,+Tasman,+New+Zealand&ll=-40.986118,173.040848&spn=0.047816,0.110378&t=h&z=13" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfrMoTuJl4LZnBZPihdR_JTt_Vf5r-cR8ukrY-5vMkvDlDDoExqqwvEwnYfnWO09OSDwpaY0PFwHdoXJqJDkZ61CMlIK4l1DcR3hGu_8gbpedYBLdLJGXZEE76XpJZxLUxLnyPG9J2bWTp/s400/map_abelhike.jpg" width="291" height="178" title="Click for satellite views with Google Maps" class="top left5"></a>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRfc2i48SHzk57f6YjzPbw1XxZt1nKnWCNvGCe7-0DCQ8Enj9tSglL7AnJwPOYrCdmdjbC_O-IpAilJ82RvQ0x3AV6eoEtm2MCJPzMAXQurm-fjxdlpY_Vw-2q5V_TTeerbTY8nj6wABXY/s800/abeltasmansign.jpg" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRfc2i48SHzk57f6YjzPbw1XxZt1nKnWCNvGCe7-0DCQ8Enj9tSglL7AnJwPOYrCdmdjbC_O-IpAilJ82RvQ0x3AV6eoEtm2MCJPzMAXQurm-fjxdlpY_Vw-2q5V_TTeerbTY8nj6wABXY/s400/abeltasmansign.jpg" width="291" height="178" title="hiking the Abel Tasman National Park" class="top right5"></a>
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<td valign="top" colspan="2">Carolyn and I loved the <a href="http://pushpinpilgrim.blogspot.com/2010/05/kayaking-abel-tasman-national-park.html" target="blank">kayaking portion</a> of the <a href="http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/national-parks/abel-tasman/" target="blank">Abel Tasman</a>, and while we would have been happy to just hop on a water taxi back to town, we decided to explore the trail back on foot.
<br /><br />We started Day 3 at Onetahuti where we dropped off our kayaks the night before. The hiking trail actually goes further north past Onetahuti (the entire thing is 52 km), but spending six or seven days in the wilderness seemed a little out of our league. We’re a bit lazy if you hadn’t noticed, and generally unprepared, so we skipped the most northern portion of the park and headed south.
<br /><br />The trail hugs the same golden sand beaches and granite rock formations we had seen from the kayak, but it was fun to see it all from a different perspective. Right off the bat we plunged into rich forest environs filled with birdsong (thanks again to the <a href="http://abeltasmanbirdsong.co.nz/" target="blank">Birdsong Trust</a>). I whistled my face off to the <a href="http://www.doc.govt.nz/conservation/native-animals/birds/land-birds/fantail-piwakawaka/facts/" target="blank">fantails</a> that filled the tree branches, and within a few minutes we had a pretty good crowd of birds hopping from tree to tree along with us. They are incredibly social birds, and will dance for anyone that seems interested. They also like to swoop right in front of your face. It's a jolting experience.
<br /><br />A lot of the trail is nestled in the trees with frequent scenic lookouts, keeping you fairly cool as you wind your way up and down gradual (and some not so gradual) ascents of the granite cliffs. We took the occasional break for photo-ops and snacks, but for the most part the hike is extremely do-able. I wore hiking boots, but Care did the whole thing in <a href="http://www.chacousa.com/US/en-US/Home.mvc.aspx" target="blank">Chacos</a>.
<br /><br />A unique feature of this particular <a href="http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/great-walks/" target="blank">Great Walk</a> is the existence of <a href="http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/nelson-marlborough/golden-bay/abel-tasman-coast-track/plan-and-prepare/tide-timetables/" target="blank">four tidal crossings</a> at Bark Bay, Torrent Bay, Onetahuti Bay, and Awaroa. The tide depth in the park can fluctuate by as much as <a href="http://www.google.com/search?q=5.2+meters+to+feet&btnG=Search" target="blank">5.2 meters</a>, meaning that at high tide, some of the trails are submerged. Low tide and high tide are generally 6 hours apart, so most of the crossings are only passable during a 4-hour window, 2 hours before and after low tide. Get a tidal chart from the Nelson or Motueka <a href="http://www.newzealand.com/travel/i-sites/i-sites_home.cfm" target="blank">i-site</a> and do some planning ahead of time, or else you’ll have to:
<ol type="A">
<li>Take the high tide trail (which can add several kms/hours to your trek)
<li>Swim. Not recommended.
<li>Wake up at 5 am because you have 6 hours of hiking ahead of you and the next low tide isn’t until 5 pm.
</ol>
Of course Care and I didn’t time our tidal crossings well, forcing us to take Option A at Bark Bay, and Option C at Torrent Bay. Don’t stress about the Onetahuti crossing – there’s just slightly less beach to walk on at high tide. In contrast, the Awaroa crossing further north is <b>long</b>. Don’t muck around with it. Time it right, or you’re going for Option B.
<br /><br />As disgruntled as we were about our early start at Torrent Bay on Day 4, the stillness of the morning was pristine. The best part is when the track emerges from the tree line to expose amazing views of the park’s bays and islands. One of the most stunning views is from the peak atop <a href="http://www.helium.com/items/1795474-destination-guide-anchorage-bay-abel-tasman-national-park-new-zealand" target="blank">Anchorage Bay</a>, looking north at dawn. New Zealand is called “Aotearoa” in Maori which literally means “land of the long white cloud”, and Care and I have been lucky to see an almost non-stop parade of epic cloudy sunsets. The sun lights row upon row of clouds on fire each evening…probably every morning too but we catch wayyyy fewer of those. It’s always amazing, but the Abel Tasman was exceptional.
<br /><br />We bought a tent just for this trip, and in retrospect, I wish we had bought a small cooker (cookers are not provided in the Abel Tasman DOC huts or campsites). Cereal, PB&J sandwiches, and cold pasta held us over for four days, but the first thing we did after the hike was inhale five pizzas at <a href="http://www.623.co.nz/" target="blank">623 Bar</a>’s all-you-can-eat pizza night.
<br /><br />Ignoring a few sandfly issues (<a href="http://pushpinpilgrim.blogspot.com/2010/03/travel-bug-bites.html" target="blank">don’t forget your DEET!</a>), it’s easy to see why the Abel Tasman National Park is the most visited park in New Zealand. Whether it’s by land or sea, everyone can easily and affordably enjoy the pristine beauty of the natural surroundings.
<br /><br />We definitely recommend the kayak/hike combo. It’s a sweet taste of both worlds.
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<div id="PictoBrowser100518132102">There's a sweet photo album here, but it looks like your device doesn't support <a href="http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer" target="blank">Flash</a>.<br />No worries! Simply <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crtaylor/NewZealandAbelTasmanHike?feat=directlink" target="blank">view the web album on Picasa.</a></div><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.db798.com/pictobrowser/swfobject.js"></script><script type="text/javascript"> var so = new SWFObject("http://www.db798.com/pictobrowserp.swf", "PictoBrowser", "600", "585", "8", "#ffffff"); so.addVariable("source", "album"); so.addVariable("userName", "crtaylor@gmail.com"); so.addVariable("names", "NewZealandAbelTasmanHike"); so.addVariable("albumId", "5472405993228949617"); so.addVariable("titles", "off"); so.addVariable("displayNotes", "always"); so.addVariable("thumbAutoHide", "off"); so.addVariable("imageSize", "original"); so.addVariable("vAlign", "top"); so.addVariable("vertOffset", "0"); so.addVariable("colorHexVar", "ffffff"); so.addVariable("initialScale", "on"); so.addVariable("bgAlpha", "8"); so.write("PictoBrowser100518132102"); </script>
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</table>Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10686840547537438655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846538628972127284.post-87004371469888619092010-05-14T23:00:00.003+10:002010-05-14T23:00:05.600+10:00Possums vs. Birds<table width="600" border="0" cellspacing ="0" cellpadding="0">
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<a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=onetahuti,+abel+tasman+national+park,+nz&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=24.652902,56.513672&ie=UTF8&hq=onetahuti,&hnear=Abel+Tasman+National+Park,+Tasman,+New+Zealand&ll=-40.922852,173.08548&spn=0.183146,0.441513&t=h&z=11" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnEO9NpQJUyQpYxSqkrb8wpkbaHz7Xfb_tmsugNksW8yMMyqgub3WmUu0SCm4HjeTvxEICXX0qwyQEMtYVn6AXMuvn2zWwMgTw4uVbW3v6ttashyphenhyphengdSUvdHCE_9j27JCOJhEHY-pZcADOj/s400/map_onetahuti.jpg" width="291" height="178" title="Click for satellite views with Google Maps" class="top left5"></a>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYzy2Fn47_WSIEnOhy_QPfM7X0Q6gkG8my7artLF_pH6cTIY8F3oqzJ9FxwGX45bmJcmLNLiMZ-K9yUWbywu1bzVJlpt561CsHAwAJ8BRv9TYOLubSc1pX6Y-EEwCAObUmbYPz4Jsl80GH/s800/duck.jpg" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYzy2Fn47_WSIEnOhy_QPfM7X0Q6gkG8my7artLF_pH6cTIY8F3oqzJ9FxwGX45bmJcmLNLiMZ-K9yUWbywu1bzVJlpt561CsHAwAJ8BRv9TYOLubSc1pX6Y-EEwCAObUmbYPz4Jsl80GH/s400/duck.jpg" width="291" height="178" title="feeding our fine feathered friend" class="top right5"></a>
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<td valign="top" colspan="2">The story of our third day in the Abel Tasman actually begins in the middle of the night. Scrounging and snuffling sounds outside the tent woke us up (and by “us” I mean Carolyn).
<br /><br />“What’s that noise?” she whispers. “New Zealand doesn’t have any bears, right? RIGHT?” she pleads.
<br />“I don’t think so…” I mumble (in my sleep).
<br /><br />Then we remembered what it does have...possums.
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<a href="http://blogs.995themountain.com/files/2009/07/possum.jpg" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQGbn8SqPguhOMUwz5SYbF-0kGxAp2EkEQpGD-QgDS8k2IkNeqqsqlRKjTMK5o5fsDIM0k3Mbki-_RCwgF9SxFJ5bFZa5jJ-OLQdF86uRvByah39QvEqvd-QR8Kv89tv5iA2cYcrHgDyJS/s800/opossum.jpg" width="291" height="218" title="North American Opossum" class="top bottom left5"></a>
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<a href="http://candobetter.org/files/possum%20pair.jpg" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmBMpqRiMmahFcvkZLqyM6Q9TIdlbKfePVx9oTvUnEWg4TPkk5HhWAH7F4RNiSOfZvgRML6VGMtUhakIac7BeYN5z0nzlhhyphenhyphenz60qJibL9C9B67PN2w6K3JzoxqJ9fXvRbLPyYmmQ-sVN7t/s400/nzpossum.jpg" width="291" height="218" title="New Zealand Possum" class="top bottom right5"></a>
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<td valign="top" colspan="2">Not to be confused with the North American <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opossum" target="blank">opossum</a> (on the left), the New Zealand <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Possum" target="blank">brushtail possum</a> is less rat-like and more creepy, furry, lemur-like. Here’s some back-story to help explain the possums’ impact on New Zealand:
<br /><br />When New Zealand split from Australia and other parts of ancient <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gondwana" target="blank">Gondwanaland</a>, the small size of the North and South Islands couldn’t support large predators, leading to unique bird evolution. Without the fear of predation, many birds shed their ability to fly and developed thicker, solid bones and sturdy legs to carry them around the ground in search of food.
<br /><br />The most extreme example is the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moa" target="blank">moa</a>, which stood at over <a href="http://www.google.com/search?q=2+meters+to+feet&btnG=Search" target="blank">two meters</a> tall and was similar to large land birds in other parts of the world like ostriches and the <a href="http://www.kenozoicum.nl/website%20mega%20predators/terror%20bird.html" target="blank">“terror birds”</a> of South America. Sadly, early Maori tribes hunted the moa to extinction around 1500 AD.
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<a href="http://cas.bellarmine.edu/tietjen/images/moa.jpg" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi37dHcGALBf6MDE7Xj4YRW99sH6zrSirWbtxiSCvyiIMcSHNHGGYkDjtFsOwVLKkebXLHgUDobs2gbpJnDKf1gfLhFxa2Akr7ty3rw33yS0PswtZ0p7f_yr-lnhyphenhyphenbT93PqzdCeI0bFfEvi/s800/moa.jpg" width="189" height="285" title="Moa" class="top bottom left5"></a>
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<a href="http://www.tomgidwitz.com/main/2b94df40.jpg" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6qoaKNGDzNY_mgLaxRWbnlyrGq770rhwjp5NgzTaAnqBR7vvm7S3N-z1ilFWnKS-jX33jV73jQvHEETr1txstmNMS2KfqcsvvoCPAvceja4Ep6CvE72Xah8IUFlnN9EuvQYLKiEPT0-tx/s288/terrorbird.jpg" width="189" height="285" title="Terror Bird" class="top bottom left5 right5"></a>
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<a href="http://www.awa.tohoku.ac.jp/computer/image/bigbird.gif" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGxOC5MkjNdqohPpCBOs0PXhWC0sA2kdYRx6lndi07QHZ3STsng721XiWuxeWR8kS1HmUJ1rgA4PFsaCdiRRldQeO6ihWQ7qWTkW_84K-HvdO_usWCxxVS0OjasrFhUk25_aJ6REAFMYqa/s800/bigbird.jpg" width="189" height="285" title="Big Bird" class="top bottom right5"></a>
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<td valign="top" colspan="2">Another iconic New Zealand bird is the flightless <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiwi" target="blank">kiwi</a>. These birds have thick leg bones with marrow in them (in contrast to light hollow bones of other birds), and the tiny vestigial wings hidden at their sides are essentially useless.
<br /><br />The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pukeko" target="blank">pukeko</a> is a good example of an in-between bird. While still technically capable of flight, its primary response to danger is to run on its speedy, sturdy legs. These bright blue birds are everywhere on the North Island, and when they get startled crossing the road, it’s hilarious to watch them try to run/fly away with their small wings and big, awkward, dangling feet. They can barely clear paddock fences.
<br /><br />These bird populations lived in relative safety for millions of years, but the introduction of new predators like possums, stoats (weasels), and rats to the ancient New Zealand ecosystem has led to a rapid decline in native bird populations. The possum was first introduced to New Zealand by Europeans in the 1800’s to create a fur trading industry, and it bums me out that their greed and thoughtlessness is destroying the present diversity. Possums target the eggs and young of endangered birds like the kiwi and some penguin species, as well as eggs of the now endangered reptile, the <a href="http://www.kcc.org.nz/tuatara" target="blank">tuatara</a>. The response by the government has taken years, but now the verdict is clear - birds get to stay and possums must go.
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<a href="http://andoyoanny.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/kiwi.jpg" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhouQlUUeudHbqd_alcCFZA8bjo6mTty1hQ7NJXVBo6mEc_Blb1ee3kpYpy00HR_EN8sVSvrtpg2H0bS2IIZWDM9Yy_cpo4xRTtZ1msFvoSz2gX3I1fPTWeOPrGcfDRhTxpp7P1DC2YuNLS/s800/kiwi.jpg" width="189" height="285" title="Kiwi" class="top bottom left5"></a>
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<a href="http://www.tiritirimatangi.org.nz/images/Birds/Pukeko2.jpg" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRyBeuwyAK074jqVHqGGIRsohVKQRBLpwMrC5zOBig5wPlnjbpDk6xKdlHzbvVp8s3w8U48jITBGfWUMEcsuqM0baRugiAEqNbDO8wF4EU0zj3RgF9ffmppic97zjPJoCZV61WUyP1xhyG/s800/pukeko.jpg" width="189" height="285" title="Pukeko" class="top bottom left5 right5"></a>
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<a href="http://mudpuddle.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/henry.jpg" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJqOrnp4toeds_RDUKlNfjGDEa7dcHxM5oVj7XQ49Z7soBsPDUguebGsQLbQCoJo3PB2I7v24ij3QLTdbD4BZ7qRj-VSK9g3XI2P8k56xPOSdRAW5teblbJJkM76dgh3-xVWA4W_1X-ghG/s800/tuatara.jpg" width="189" height="285" title="Tuatara" class="top bottom right5"></a>
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<td valign="top" colspan="2">At first it struck me as odd that possum-hunting is a patriotic duty for New Zealanders. It’s actually disturbing how many possum carcasses I see on the road. However, after our trek through the Abel Tasman National Park, I’m beginning to understand. The native animals are so disadvantaged by these new predators that they depend on a certain amount of human protection, enter the <a href="http://abeltasmanbirdsong.co.nz" target="blank">Abel Tasman Birdsong Trust</a>.
<br /><br />I looked into it, and there are approximately <b>30 million</b> possums in New Zealand. That’s how many kiwis used to roam the forests, but now the kiwi population hovers in the low thousands. The fact that kiwis even still exist is only due to extensive efforts by the New Zealand government to establish island sanctuaries and breeding programs. Bottom line, possums are killing the rare and wonderful wildlife that can only be found in New Zealand.
<br /><br />Ok, now back to our second night in the Abel Tasman Park.
<br /><br />When we woke up the next morning, we found that the three tents next to us at the Onetahuti Bay campsite had holes chewed through the sides and any food hidden inside had been snacked on by a sneaky possum. The only reason Care and I escaped unscathed was because we didn’t want trash in our tent so we tied it up and left it outside. The possum tore a hole in <i>that</i> and dined on a banana peel, ignoring our tent and the precious food supply inside. We’re smart as.
<br /><br />Later that morning we discovered that justice had been served – the body of a possum hung limp from a trap only a few feet from our tent. The Birdsong Trust sets hundreds of traps along the trail to protect birds that nest near the coast. It was sad to see an animal get killed for doing what nature dictates it to do – eat – but it’s also nice to see that the native bird populations stand a chance.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP2ujByhbTxj3DvkqzlMy0NQiyr9RdND_borAcOeZDXlI-Bx9tPxWsF26DxFDRP-6RVNMEOJOUbP1tw4ZRcIQtVWkyuxvdRA4CFK-uKlr9F-2U-ND3gbORPGBTP5plrCoSklJCFdBEEzR_/s800/possumtrap.jpg" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP2ujByhbTxj3DvkqzlMy0NQiyr9RdND_borAcOeZDXlI-Bx9tPxWsF26DxFDRP-6RVNMEOJOUbP1tw4ZRcIQtVWkyuxvdRA4CFK-uKlr9F-2U-ND3gbORPGBTP5plrCoSklJCFdBEEzR_/s400/possumtrap.jpg" width="291" height="218" title="RIP Mr. Possum" class="top bottom left5"></a>
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<a href="http://www.mtlees.co.nz/mtlees/images/fantail_piwakawaka.jpg" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYW969Fyk8jvx2KAQ2SIIIkh-q5w9YqvUKaZGYKtGpm0v-CHlKzInbPZBt6zFf73c6rkTM96Ttl5jsdTpApHPglkmGc2CYFLlVNrn-Vk1h9pHsanTbj-cFnVgezvaELMNdYVAMiYOBmT9H/s800/fantail.jpg" width="291" height="218" title="awesome NZ bird, the Fantail" class="top bottom right5"></a>
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<td valign="top" colspan="2">I hate that it’s necessary to hunt down and kill the possums because I think they are actually really awesome animals. It’s a sad state of affairs here; the only way to preserve the shrinking diversity is to slaughter innocent animals just trying to survive themselves.
<br /><br />Anyone looking to support the preservation effort and be stylish too can buy <a href="http://www.snowypeak.co.nz/en/sp/brands/merinomink.htm" target="blank">“merinomink”</a> or <a href="http://www.untouchedworld.com/Ecopossum/Information/407" target="blank">“ecopossum”</a> garments, which are made from a super soft blend of sheep wool and possum fur. Proceeds often go toward groups like the Birdsong Trust, and these groups are making progress - there were 70 million possums during the 1980’s (more than twice the number that exist today). Some shops even sell novelty items like <a href="http://www.silverfernz.com/602-possum-fur-nipple-warmers.htm" target="blank">possum fur nipple warmers</a>. Seriously guys, New Zealand is a weird place.
<br /><br />So…sorry about the possum rant, but it’s an important topic to all Kiwis (both the birds and the humans). The next post will be about our 2-day hike back to Marahau. Promise.
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</table>Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10686840547537438655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846538628972127284.post-78895518605483514372010-05-12T14:36:00.000+10:002010-05-12T14:36:31.760+10:00Kayaking the Abel Tasman National Park<table width="600" border="0" cellspacing ="0" cellpadding="0">
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<a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Abel+Tasman,+New+Zealand&sll=-41.110107,173.011121&sspn=0.101918,0.220757&g=Motueka,+New+Zealand&ie=UTF8&hq=Abel+Tasman+National+Park&hnear=Abel+Tasman+National+Park,+Tasman,+New+Zealand&ll=-40.986118,173.040848&spn=0.047816,0.110378&t=h&z=13" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Btv68g36rZptQVFVsI6RQU7JTc5wL8bm91B1jiPuqzh5HfgkJdRRA4CpxgyXwoF7GxKTZb3D8RZIhPmbE_Pu2iX9la2sYDesa-Z6jPSbnEyRDrvbATDmhIzSF3qKdNRWi-i9jLb8g0MF/s400/map_abeltasman1.jpg" width="291" height="178" title="Click for satellite views with Google Maps" class="top left5"></a>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2feQJYBspQbk1c4akOC1hJTsEXaZk8hLTQtemBySe1WATgUgxvTNI72BeeMzqS0kj5vYbOIpq7yIRAXBLpYWYPlpYm6ObW4nFKiDak7DDJUtakIijbL2kjZwZzvRz-U0WlvPKj1J7K1kE/s800/abeltasmankayak.jpg" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2feQJYBspQbk1c4akOC1hJTsEXaZk8hLTQtemBySe1WATgUgxvTNI72BeeMzqS0kj5vYbOIpq7yIRAXBLpYWYPlpYm6ObW4nFKiDak7DDJUtakIijbL2kjZwZzvRz-U0WlvPKj1J7K1kE/s400/abeltasmankayak.jpg" width="291" height="178" title="we travel with style" class="top right5"></a>
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<td valign="top" colspan="2">After three brutal days picking apples, Care and I decided it was time for a well earned vacation, so we headed north to Marahau, the gateway to New Zealand’s most popular national park – <a href="http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/national-parks/abel-tasman/" target="blank">Abel Tasman</a>.
<br /><br />Trips in the Tasman usually vary between one and seven days, though most people spend just one or two days hiking, kayaking, or just cruising on a water taxi. We opted for a four-day combo adventure – kayaking north and then hiking back south. FYI, campsites have to be <a href="http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/nelson-marlborough/golden-bay/abel-tasman-coast-track/plan-and-prepare/fees-and-bookings/" target="blank">booked ahead of time</a>, and reservations for heaps of different kayak companies can be made for free at the Nelson or Motueka i-sites. We chose <a href="http://www.kahukayaks.co.nz/" target="blank">Kahu Kayaks</a> because they were the cheapest, and they turned out to be a really awesome, friendly company too.
<br /><br />A bunch of factors such as wind direction, weather, water taxi schedules, and most importantly the high tide charts should play a part when planning your itinerary. We had to decide which was the better option – kayaking north against the wind and then hiking back south, or taking a water taxi up and kayaking south. So after thinking about it for like five minutes, we chose to kayak first…cuz we felt like it.
<br /><br />We ran into a few bits of chop and wind, but all in all the two days kayaking were amazing. We explored Fisherman’s and Adele Islands – homes to seals and penguins – and had lunch on a secluded golden sand beach that can only be reached from the water. We shot some “rapids” (which just means we got a little too close to the rocks) and splashed around for a while. Our first night’s stay in <a href="http://www.helium.com/items/1795474-destination-guide-anchorage-bay-abel-tasman-national-park-new-zealand" target="blank">Anchorage Bay</a> was a bit <a href="http://pushpinpilgrim.blogspot.com/2010/03/travel-bug-bites.html" target="blank">sandfly-infested</a>, but the great facilities made it a worthy stop.
<br /><br />Our second day in the kayak was a lot more steady (Carolyn steered). I heard a rumor that she’s used to spending time in a boat, but I can’t remember where…
<br /><br />We lucked out with a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Penguin" target="blank">little blue penguin</a> sighting early in the morning – apparently they’re really shy and spend most of their time way out in the ocean fishing, so we were really excited to see one float past us in the bay. In the afternoon after a solid paddle north, we passed “Foul Point” where we tried not to capsize so we could investigate a lesser known seal colony at the northern edge of the Park. Our efforts were rewarded when a few of the males danced in the water for us and played hide and seek under our kayak. We also spotted some 4-month old baby seals on the rocks, but Care was disappointed that she couldn't convince them to jump into the kayak and ride home with us.
<br /><br />Day two ended with another secluded beach picnic and a mellow paddle into Onetahuti Bay Camp. There Kahu Kayaks picked up our kayaks and garbage and dropped off our backpacks, all at no extra charge, letting us prepare for our two day hike back to the start of the trail.
<br /><br />But more on that adventure next time…
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<div class="bold">"Seal Sighting" - a comic by Shawn Forno
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<a href="http://pushpinpilgrim.blogspot.com/p/comics.html" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVLhX20Ug_nBPqIPcfl0HRRmymKExC0QdLDWIpeey6OyiZYlMVlIjGXxo14W3oD3wKATjsDJMcOokoP8L1jbL52lF8w_FTNSyp5tZX8LGC-tRhqBaUaxaG0n6euYiNGQpL8Zakjpr3ryfe/s800/Abel%20Tasman%20Kayak.jpg" width="596" height="317" title="at least our paddle timing is spot on" class="bottom"></a>
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<div id="PictoBrowser100512160056">There's a sweet photo album here, but it looks like your device doesn't support <a href="http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer" target="blank">Flash</a>.<br />No worries! Simply <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crtaylor/NewZealandAbelTasmanKayak?feat=directlink" target="blank">view the web album on Picasa.</a></div><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.db798.com/pictobrowser/swfobject.js"></script><script type="text/javascript"> var so = new SWFObject("http://www.db798.com/pictobrowserp.swf", "PictoBrowser", "600", "585", "8", "#ffffff"); so.addVariable("source", "album"); so.addVariable("userName", "crtaylor@gmail.com"); so.addVariable("names", "NewZealandAbelTasmanKayak"); so.addVariable("albumId", "5470219328545992865"); so.addVariable("titles", "off"); so.addVariable("displayNotes", "always"); so.addVariable("thumbAutoHide", "off"); so.addVariable("imageSize", "original"); so.addVariable("vAlign", "top"); so.addVariable("vertOffset", "0"); so.addVariable("colorHexVar", "ffffff"); so.addVariable("initialScale", "on"); so.addVariable("bgAlpha", "8"); so.write("PictoBrowser100512160056"); </script>
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<a href="http://www.helium.com/" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwTgt-kKPQMqE8nLeCMizs9T8uKGcBaSvM0tp5JwLW8cp-Suhpj5f3C4TyDnu6Nl3F92lEUL1LjZmT7pWwHb1fgV6xTIXBmKA2LJDANyZkHIu0EeA0n0ktW5hiM9wrJQj5RfdcfSrxqRBJ/s144/heliumlogo.jpg" width="100" height="43" title="Helium.com - Where Knowledge Rules" class="noborder bottom5 left"></a>
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<div class="big"><a href="http://www.helium.com/items/1795474-destination-guide-anchorage-bay-abel-tasman-national-park-new-zealand" target="blank"><b>Destination Guide: Anchorage Bay, Abel Tasman Park, NZ</b></a>
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<td valign="top" align="left">by <a href="http://www.helium.com/users/179891" target="blank"><b>Shawn Forno</b></a>
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<div class="toptext bottomtext">The Abel Tasman National Park – New Zealand’s smallest national park – is by far the busiest, with a wide array of one to five day hiking, camping, and even kayaking options available for the casual to committed tramper. The largest and most popular campsite...<a href="http://www.helium.com/items/1795474-destination-guide-anchorage-bay-abel-tasman-national-park-new-zealand" target="blank">read more</a>
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</table>Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10686840547537438655noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846538628972127284.post-18040308190409495932010-05-08T09:21:00.003+10:002010-05-10T15:43:10.708+10:00Apple Picking<table width="600" border="0" cellspacing ="0" cellpadding="0"><tr> <td valign="top"> <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Motueka,+New+Zealand&sll=-41.270786,173.284&sspn=0.025417,0.055189&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Motueka,+Tasman,+New+Zealand&t=h&z=12" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUvEKKOrHoszj9iRwN1-43fAuvjwM6TXqTY5XGdE3geTdQTv6Fj5pBOJruKhpwFNvJzjCAhKC1znweRIYjUJ1DSd45wA0Nzq8iHOfq0LgL5KWw6eMHyxPWVL7ho-TcVjy9bABhuHgABir3/s400/map_motueka.jpg" width="291" height="178" title="Click for satellite views with Google Maps" class="top left5"></a> </td> <td valign="top"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifSu9oEN82cHeamXWaOFr92M7OYn54myeC8h_NPAgsWY_NrbveIXCp1aNlOw_vdmC3nYQ1AFRL8pfESJDq9q0bxqnl9hpPUoVsw1Is3ArOwOqokqCDdjMxWD4lrE1MFbo-9mRbRi2hnMVP/s800/apples.jpg" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifSu9oEN82cHeamXWaOFr92M7OYn54myeC8h_NPAgsWY_NrbveIXCp1aNlOw_vdmC3nYQ1AFRL8pfESJDq9q0bxqnl9hpPUoVsw1Is3ArOwOqokqCDdjMxWD4lrE1MFbo-9mRbRi2hnMVP/s400/apples.jpg" width="291" height="178" title="we picked 'em, so you don't have to" class="top right5"></a> </td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" colspan="2">We already know that NYC is the greatest city on earth, so we came to New Zealand to experience a slower way of life and to get our hands dirty doing some good old fashioned manual labor. Our first (and subsequently last) stop on the <a href="http://www.picknz.co.nz/Seasonal%20Work/Information/Regional%20Map" target="blank">NZ Harvest Trail</a> was Motueka during apple season. <br />
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We were stoked to get a job, so our first day began with us waking before sunrise and blasting pump-up jams (*cough* Ke$ha) all the way to the orchard. We met our boss “Gonzo” (one cool Kiwi) and Bob the tractor driver (also awesome), and we began schlepping our ladders down the row of trees we had been assigned to. We were lucky to be working together because, other than the unpleasant visits from the owner, and the “You make my grandpa look like a speed demon” comments from Bob, there was little human interaction. We looked forward to Bob's friendly insults because it was our only source of entertainment - one time he asked Shawn if his last name was “Banana”, then just drove off laughing. I still don’t get the joke. <br />
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You’re probably thinking “So why was this job so bad? You guys just sound lazy.” Well, my friends, here are a few apple picking fun facts that we’ve compiled to help explain just how bad this job really was: <ul><li>Each person’s bag can hold up to 130 apples.<br />
<li>It takes approx. 21 bags to fill 1 bin.<br />
<li>Therefore, approx. 2,730 apples fill 1 bin. </ul><ul><li>We were paid NZ$26 per bin, but we worked together so we each made NZ$13 per bin.<br />
<li>Therefore, we earned almost 1 penny for each apple picked. <i>Almost</i> 1 NZ penny. Right now that’s 7/10 of an American penny, or $0.007. </ul><ul><li>It took us about 2 hours to fill a bin – that's approx. 12 apples each per minute.<br />
<li>A skilled picker should fill a bin in 1 hour working <b>alone</b> - that's 45 apples per minute.<br />
<li>Our pathetic pace had us earning NZ$6.50/hour each (US$4.73). The current NZ minimum wage is NZ$12.50/hour. <b>Fail</b>. </ul><ul><li>On Day 1 we worked for 7 hours and filled 3 bins.<br />
<li>On Day 2 we worked for 9 hours and filled 3.75 bins.<br />
<li>On Day 3 we worked for 9 hours and filled 4.25 bins.<br />
<li>In total we filled 11 bins, for a grand total of…drumroll please…<b>30,000 APPLES!!!</b> </ul>Here’s the sad part – despite picking <b>30,000 APPLES!!!</b> in just three days, we were also 30,000 apples <b>off-pace</b>. To pick enough apples to earn minimum wage, we were supposed to have picked 60,000 apples in three days.
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Now, add to that awesome paycheck the fact that you spend the whole day with 130 apples strapped to your chest, lugging around a 10 ft metal ladder (or almost falling off the top of it), while the summer sun beats down on your face and sandflies bite your neck. It’s the worst combination of back-breaking physical labor and mind-numbing monotomy.
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The cherry on top is that the orchard owners have a very specific way that the apples must be picked and would storm down the rows yelling if they saw otherwise. You’re supposed to delicately use two hands to cup the apple, then tilt it up and twist. This technique prevents bruising, keeps the stem on, and ensures the trees stay in tact for next year. Quick tip for orchard owners – you want us to <i>actually</i> do that? It’s gonna cost you a lot more than $0.007.
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There’s also a cryptic scale to determine whether an apple is ripe: <ul><li>If it’s 60% “block red” and 40% green, pick it.<br />
<li>If it’s 100% red, but it’s “stripy red”, don’t pick it.<br />
<li>If it’s “stripy red” with a yellow tint (which, by the way, looks exactly like green), pick it. </ul>I spent most of my time rotating apples going, <i>“Hmm…is this 60% red…or just 55% red?…it seems to have a slight golden undertone that would indicate ripeness…or is that a hint of lime green that indicates non-ripeness…”</i> Then I would remember how little they were paying us and just chuck it into my bag. Or eat it. The one good thing about apple picking is that you never go hungry.
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Following the owner’s meticulous methods made it impossible to work quickly. If we treated the apples like precious flowers, we would get in trouble for working too slowly. If we sped up, we got yelled at for our bins being too green and for leaving too many branches on the ground. It’s a lose-lose situation with fear being the only motivation. The most valuable lesson that Bob the tractor driver taught us was to spend five minutes rotating the apples on the top row of our bin so the red side was up and the green side was hidden. Genius.
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The 30,000 apples we picked were shipped to the US, so if you’re ever at the grocery store and come across Royal Gala apples from New Zealand that are bruised and half green, <b>you’re welcome</b>.
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We decided after three days that we had learned more than we ever wanted to know about apples, and had gained a lasting appreciation for field workers and the power of human labor. So we quit.
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We haven’t eaten a Royal Gala apple since. </td> </tr>
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</table>Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03995527122439836127noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846538628972127284.post-69464517581147669112010-05-05T23:00:00.001+10:002010-05-10T14:57:13.502+10:00Motueka<table width="600" border="0" cellspacing ="0" cellpadding="0"><tr> <td valign="top"> <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Motueka,+New+Zealand&sll=-41.270786,173.284&sspn=0.025417,0.055189&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Motueka,+Tasman,+New+Zealand&t=h&z=12" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieXMn63gLcJKyYgRsNKejJvdTZLUIHggWPIpOAT3szgu60Cl4H8Syo2fjNzZ5MCBZm3st9vu5-sMuJONnPTWGBqhTWOYtzlVj4i7OC1s_5ujbiqAsZKQLDZBza3wONyyAlLwibOKXb_ER6/s400/map_motueka.jpg" width="291" height="178" title="Click for satellite views with Google Maps" class="top left5"></a> </td> <td valign="top"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI96BG5o3Bzg16_yaHm8mh0Vq6hBDz-nNrHx6XLDJLmbNoa0zddt5YasV8FypP5A5c9jqT6QQUTeK0uImxlQTqB3B8sAxbt9y7qtEg_FZUbdVng_wi5E3w__zEgD9FjpKM81MNmscD003g/s800/saltbaths.jpg" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI96BG5o3Bzg16_yaHm8mh0Vq6hBDz-nNrHx6XLDJLmbNoa0zddt5YasV8FypP5A5c9jqT6QQUTeK0uImxlQTqB3B8sAxbt9y7qtEg_FZUbdVng_wi5E3w__zEgD9FjpKM81MNmscD003g/s400/saltbaths.jpg" width="291" height="178" title="Motueka Salt Baths" class="top right5"></a> </td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" colspan="2">Motueka…man this place haunts my dreams. <br />
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Care and I came to this hamlet in apple picking country with high hopes of landing a job in the fields and getting our hands dirty with a real “Kiwi experience” underneath the summer sun. Little did we know that the worst thing that could happen to us was getting our wish. <br />
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Our job search started with online applications and endless phone calls to uninterested orchards who were “full for the season” even though Motueka's harvest hadn't even started. We persevered and enlisted the help of the <a href="http://www.picknz.co.nz" target="blank">local picking job agency</a> for over a week to no avail. Freedom camping near the ocean fed salt baths on the edge of town lost its appeal, and we wore out our welcome with the librarians/guardians of the only free WiFi in town. <br />
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After some more time bashing our brians against message boards and job listings we pulled out our secret weapon – charm. Oh that’s right, we got <b>mad</b> charm. <br />
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We’d visited the same lady - Anne - for over a week in the picking job placement office, and she'd come to recognize us amidst the sea of eager backpackers. We were bright eyed, polite, deferential, and now – desperate. We flattered her and thanked her and did everything to put this lovely middle-aged lady in our pocket. After a few eyelashes were batted and a sighing, “thank you <i>so much</i> for trying” was given, we left her office ready to give up and head south. <br />
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No more than an hour later our phone rang. Who was it? Anne offering us work with <a href="http://www.enza.co.nz/templates/Enza/Page____815.aspx#Birdhurst%20Ltd" target="blank">Birdhurst Orchard</a> the following morning. Shazaam - mad charm. <br />
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Little did we know our Motueka fairytale was about to become a nightmare. But more on that next time… </td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPxpbyXim_0CLDWm_ycBVn0JCxGpszqWjAhS9xLhtHWbc43UUdIPQetL_hADV2ejWccKIZrS_GZJQ-Tm5kaUEX4_Ydk_IhL3tedtz3GtDdGzOxupR498Fnnk8LhsmgppMEdzT0f5feSGax/s800/saltbaths_shawn.jpg" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPxpbyXim_0CLDWm_ycBVn0JCxGpszqWjAhS9xLhtHWbc43UUdIPQetL_hADV2ejWccKIZrS_GZJQ-Tm5kaUEX4_Ydk_IhL3tedtz3GtDdGzOxupR498Fnnk8LhsmgppMEdzT0f5feSGax/s400/saltbaths_shawn.jpg" width="291" height="218" title="jump for Motueka" class="top bottom left5"></a> </td> <td valign="top"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAZum7Rdq8FBNKz72bJ5Kepv_XsZfW-LMYWeFR9mh9elq-w98t-3s3sB9gB_at5a8lUVG8LQJJOt6xZrDMYg5sEYMoaTPCkA57lC5n_Sy1qg9UsNC_ky-lJ9zheJt08Kdz3oIQRpjWNKsY/s800/saltbaths_ct.jpg" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAZum7Rdq8FBNKz72bJ5Kepv_XsZfW-LMYWeFR9mh9elq-w98t-3s3sB9gB_at5a8lUVG8LQJJOt6xZrDMYg5sEYMoaTPCkA57lC5n_Sy1qg9UsNC_ky-lJ9zheJt08Kdz3oIQRpjWNKsY/s400/saltbaths_ct.jpg" width="291" height="218" title="salt bath = ocean water, but with concrete. i don't get it." class="top bottom right5"></a> </td> </tr>
</table>Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10686840547537438655noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846538628972127284.post-84790170713112813852010-05-03T23:00:00.003+10:002010-05-03T23:00:00.545+10:00Kaiteriteri Beach<table width="600" border="0" cellspacing ="0" cellpadding="0"><tr> <td valign="top"> <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Kaiteriteri,+New+Zealand&sll=-41.04311,173.042908&sspn=0.204044,0.441513&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Kaiteriteri,+Tasman,+New+Zealand&t=h&z=13" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQWivRs-Tnh73jy0hKLv1GZzD-CzL2gm4sOX1xIDGOoEeOjbjHENrE_ShdgUCEIDONkQkrL0eaQT_xeacl4QYrh5skNcHnVXOysc0KhjBTS6J42ucaYb32CTuGTp2O8WaormrSnPAxCPz/s400/map_kaiteriteri.jpg" width="291" height="178" title="Click for satellite views with Google Maps" class="top left5"></a> </td> <td valign="top"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/daniele_sartori/3544791969/" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm_FMyyfIEkuaVqrJFEcVdzfnQ6radOUI4D9B99h5VLoiQfMKNL2sCiPiNf5MWIGG3nL0YtEGtrRKrwzndV0r1m02NGeTyAjaeeyVS93dtLjxg92m5sBYJ-kODFfVXbDWehST5lIcvvh-A/s400/splitapplerock.jpg" width="291" height="178" title="Split Apple Rock" class="top right5"></a> </td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" colspan="2">Kaiteriteri Beach is a small golden sand beach just north of Motueka, and honestly is something that Care and I would have overlooked were it not for my Dad. For those of you who don’t know, my dad was born in Dunedin on the South Island of New Zealand. He was raised in Waimate (Otago) for most of his young life before moving to the States when he was 18. He’s told us kids a few stories about life on the farm in New Zealand and about some of the stuff he did as a kid, but New Zealand was always so far removed from my suburban Californian childhood that the memories he shared never really stuck - they just didn't have enough context. <br />
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That’s a large part of the reason I'm in New Zealand for this year of tramping and exploring – to sharpen the hazy edges of my family history here and to give those stories context. This finally happened when my dad told me about a little beach he used to visit as a kid – Kaiteriteri Beach. <br />
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Kaiteriteri is a popular holiday destination, especially with kayakers eager to explore the Nelson coastline near <a href="http://www.google.co.nz/search?sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=split+apple+rock" target="blank">Split Apple Rock</a>. The beach is great and sunny weather typical of the area (Nelson is considered one of the sunniest spots in New Zealand) greeted Care and I as we lazed around on the sand. But the best part was actually setting foot in a place where my dad played as a kid. <br />
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I’m a big fan of physically experiencing the sites of historical events - like walking around Rome on the same paths that great Romans had tread millenia before. It fills me with an indescribable sense of connection to the things I've read or heard about. It’s magical. <br />
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So even though I know the waves aren't the same ones my Dad swam in, the sand he played in washed out to sea long ago, and the sandflies that attacked me are only distant ancestors of the ones that bit my dad here 50 years ago, I felt kinship to a dormant side of my family tree. I found context amidst the sand and waves and bugs on this little bay in the South Island of New Zealand. <br />
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And it feels really good. </td> </tr>
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</table>Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10686840547537438655noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846538628972127284.post-16683240288997519472010-04-30T23:00:00.001+10:002010-04-30T23:00:10.413+10:00The Gypsy Fair!<table width="600" border="0" cellspacing ="0" cellpadding="0">
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<td valign="top" colspan="2">Lately I’ve been going on and on about freedom camping – mostly because Care and I are getting into the “renegade” aspect of life on the road, but also because we spend a good deal of our day in the van. However, as cool as our van <a href="http://pushpinpilgrim.blogspot.com/2010/02/flash-van.html" target=blank">Flash</a> is, and as good as we think we're getting at freedom camping, we can’t hold a candle to the folk that comprise the <a href="http://www.eventfinder.co.nz/2010/may/christchurch/gypsy-fair-original" target="blank">Gypsy Fair</a>.
<br /><br />I’d heard about these “houses on wheels” from other experienced freedom campers along the way, but I’d written off the stories of fully functioning house-trucks as elaborate exaggerations. How would the house trucks drive around? Wouldn’t they fall off? Where would they park at night?
<br /><br />Turns out everything I'd heard was true.
<br /><br />The Gypsy Fair is a conglomeration of lifestyle freedom campers throughout New Zealand that build and maintain their own uniquely designed wooden frame houses on the backs of trucks, big rigs, converted vehicles of all shapes and sizes, and even hitched trailers. They drive around New Zealand setting up at fair grounds and parks on specified dates to entertain locals and tourists alike, sell their handicrafts, food, and goods, and to basically educate people about their alternative lifestyle.
<br /><br />These amazing structures are all “self-contained” and compliant with the strict regulations New Zealand places on freedom campers, but they do so with an amazing flair for design and detail. Honestly some of these houses are bigger than my apartment in New York City. They have wood burning stoves, fireplaces, second-floor bedrooms, and even back porches complete with rocking chairs and flower pots. It’s really incredible to see what some of these artisans and craftsmen put together.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC7kX4Pxfp0vEDij9dG6wslHhzKEcMqecQrfM4Do4VvPNg0Gxu9Db-RtUJzdPtw4z4SNw3mYsWf4VY8pdnM-hk36Ek8epOh4PxiI53YNy3oVrCxqSAZU0R8CCDv2LOqAsnI1OunTnd7KQH/s800/backporch.jpg" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC7kX4Pxfp0vEDij9dG6wslHhzKEcMqecQrfM4Do4VvPNg0Gxu9Db-RtUJzdPtw4z4SNw3mYsWf4VY8pdnM-hk36Ek8epOh4PxiI53YNy3oVrCxqSAZU0R8CCDv2LOqAsnI1OunTnd7KQH/s400/backporch.jpg" width="291" height="218" title="lemonade on the porch anyone?" class="top bottom left5"></a>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizY3cZbAzKu9XoMQnDv4HOCjUA_vf0NhijG5R_DaLiEIPC4JpppAkFe5osCuSrDdN0tgWWguGgReC206q6zGxMCrFscQmWUjwhfoepgulltFKlYKbOhfZx2Y_JBi0foy2stoLie9awnXRn/s800/housetruck.jpg" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizY3cZbAzKu9XoMQnDv4HOCjUA_vf0NhijG5R_DaLiEIPC4JpppAkFe5osCuSrDdN0tgWWguGgReC206q6zGxMCrFscQmWUjwhfoepgulltFKlYKbOhfZx2Y_JBi0foy2stoLie9awnXRn/s400/housetruck.jpg" width="291" height="218" title="2-story house truck" class="top bottom right5"></a>
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<td valign="top" colspan="2">The coolest part of this hodge podge nomadic village is that they are always seeking new members. The only stipulation is that applicants be self-sufficient and provide a marketable service or sell a unique good that is not already in the group. That’s what really got me interested in the Gypsy Fair – they're not just hippies driving love buses trying to change the world with “good vibes”. Nope. They've got marketing savvy. They're a viable economic entity that understands that while independence and freedom are crucial to an alternative lifestyle, so is making that lifestyle sustainable.
<br /><br />Just like the rest of us, they have to make money, pay for things, sell goods, and keep a healthy community running. It’s great to see that the obstacles that we all face in normal society are the same as those in the Gypsy Fair. They just choose to solve the same problems from a slightly different perspective – the driver’s seat.
<br /><br />Care and I were so happy to see this unique New Zealand experience, and we spent the rest of the afternoon daydreaming about what we could contribute to earn a spot in the Gypsy Fair. Wooden swords? Nope, they already sell those. Cotton candy? Old news. Musician? They’ve got five. Miniature ponies? Aluminum can artwork? A tattoo artist? Got it, got it, and, ouch, they got it. After running out of ideas that the Gypsys hadn’t thought of first, we gave up the dream of joining their clan and continued down the road Hans-style...solo.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq1cqz7ZnaeWbRsu3ag2vQ1JNjBYOnl67FisM9SReSYMN-YvNK-3dqifhs8fXL0ckT2EXOH3aR-ikTyEfgqGncrRX22otQOAtgQOmA2tILiOB90SyL12ssieD1ZRM-XsodvBuyi6rx7hqD/s800/band.jpg" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq1cqz7ZnaeWbRsu3ag2vQ1JNjBYOnl67FisM9SReSYMN-YvNK-3dqifhs8fXL0ckT2EXOH3aR-ikTyEfgqGncrRX22otQOAtgQOmA2tILiOB90SyL12ssieD1ZRM-XsodvBuyi6rx7hqD/s400/band.jpg" width="291" height="218" title="gypsy jamz" class="top bottom left5"></a>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGZ5m9-LK1XK9zyFs738a-ijY8GX2jpqmitWPXgAdGh7ALln-XPoGzSrlmCpPEIxjGNWuOXTej2zKTJ02yQnX-aI0wyngYuzuc9XQp_aFIeb3LlqB2y9ICPshFWJSACG29RCbFQzhJc50-/s800/ponyride.jpg" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGZ5m9-LK1XK9zyFs738a-ijY8GX2jpqmitWPXgAdGh7ALln-XPoGzSrlmCpPEIxjGNWuOXTej2zKTJ02yQnX-aI0wyngYuzuc9XQp_aFIeb3LlqB2y9ICPshFWJSACG29RCbFQzhJc50-/s400/ponyride.jpg" width="291" height="218" title="that's only US$3.50!" class="top bottom right5"></a>
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</table>Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10686840547537438655noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846538628972127284.post-85537075019512244082010-04-28T23:00:00.003+10:002010-05-10T15:45:47.856+10:00Nelson<table width="600" border="0" cellspacing ="0" cellpadding="0">
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<a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Nelson,+New+Zealand&sll=-41.299743,173.57291&sspn=0.203246,0.441513&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Nelson,+New+Zealand&t=h&z=14" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqSxQxK3t3gn8dVreOd0PME6IftyiI4Vqf95teu0VnQeV29pVfD7kFeMoE-uMvdhEm0Ri_iXdMl4PpfuNd7eouRtWwLaN0J7rGrYQsAwYEaPxoA0B2O2BqRdt62e7IyfgyGKdqYn4EM6vN/s400/map_nelson.jpg" width="291" height="178" title="Click for satellite views with Google Maps" class="top left5"></a>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3pybQr2amYhJrzHc6bQ8cAnIWvGKzFlzgyoPyC2IgQ2aIrSTcpqrEplY_x2lvesA9XulDwxuFIOYssewTyfRZ5vVkRESg6yL2uxs_d-CXrOifKwDk-PHWIq6JkPuX5XBY3k1RBwSd5-FB/s800/lowtide.jpg" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3pybQr2amYhJrzHc6bQ8cAnIWvGKzFlzgyoPyC2IgQ2aIrSTcpqrEplY_x2lvesA9XulDwxuFIOYssewTyfRZ5vVkRESg6yL2uxs_d-CXrOifKwDk-PHWIq6JkPuX5XBY3k1RBwSd5-FB/s400/lowtide.jpg" width="291" height="178" title="Nelson's dramatic low tide" class="top right5"></a>
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<td valign="top" colspan="2">Oh Nelson…what can I say about you? Robbery, apple picking, all you can eat pizza deals, freedom camping, the beach, the library – all of these things shaped our time in the principle city of the Nelson Region on the South Island.
<br /><br />Freedom camping is the only way to stay in Nelson for any extended period of time, and Care and I parked at our fair share of locations. The three that were the most effective were (in order of ease):
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<li>The <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Kinzett+Terrace,+Nelson,+NZ&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=27.504711,56.513672&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Kinzett+Terrace,+Nelson+7010,+Nelson,+New+Zealand&t=h&z=16" target="blank">Kinzett Terrace</a> carpark at the north end of town
<li><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&q=Tahunanui+Beach,+New+Zealand&sll=-41.282709,173.234568&sspn=0.0238,0.055189&ie=UTF8&cd=2&geocode=FYkkiv0dnIFTCg&split=0&hq=&hnear=Tahunanui+Beach&t=h&z=14" target="blank">Tahunanui Beach</a> on the west edge of town
<li>The carpark near the <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Yacht+Club,+Nelson,+NZ&sll=-41.255501,173.285165&sspn=0.006356,0.013797&ie=UTF8&hq=Yacht+Club,&hnear=Nelson,+New+Zealand&ll=-41.264872,173.274693&spn=0.011903,0.027595&t=h&z=15" target="blank">yacht club</a> – surprising but true
</ol>The overall attitude of people in town towards freedom campers is begrudgingly accepting. Nelson is a focal point for trampers headed to the <a href="http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/national-parks/abel-tasman/" target="blank">Abel Tasman National Park</a> and the West Coast, as well as backpackers looking for <a href="http://www.picknz.co.nz/" target="blank">fruit picking work</a>, so they get that people are going to be loitering for a bit. The economy in the area depends heavily on tourist dollars and low-paid backpacker picking labor, so during the apple season the town sets aside a few areas where they turn a blind eye to campers – most notably Kinzett Terrace. We actually got a printed flyer from a security guard telling us it was ok to sleep there. But Tahunanui Beach has more amenities like water, cold showers, toilets, beach access, and a small library annex with free WiFi, so it's a better fit for a lot of short-term campers.
<br /><br />For long-term campers like us, pricey holiday park accommodation simply isn’t an option. So we did run into some hassles, and we had our <a href="http://pushpinpilgrim.blogspot.com/2010/03/mean-people-suck.html" target="blank">car broken into</a> at one point, but that was in the middle of the day and didn’t happen at any of the sites mentioned above. We saved a lot of money by staying in Nelson 16 nights over the course of a month, but we're still a bit undecided on whether it was worth all the effort. Freedom camping <i>really</i> makes you appreciate the simple luxuries of running water, sinks, and toilets inside a house.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAlGd_3yPN_UNndQzNFaO7KEjahAFoYEuf9cuG-jfrR35MFrNujWudWjC4D_KcYygeKYmAn2Ji0T0aLbg-6RH6zKQoAw2qr6aBd6_Q8VE_H4nsISMVwZzVVmp7j1964zWh6W6IfUBF-MPe/s800/longdrop.jpg" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAlGd_3yPN_UNndQzNFaO7KEjahAFoYEuf9cuG-jfrR35MFrNujWudWjC4D_KcYygeKYmAn2Ji0T0aLbg-6RH6zKQoAw2qr6aBd6_Q8VE_H4nsISMVwZzVVmp7j1964zWh6W6IfUBF-MPe/s400/longdrop.jpg" width="291" height="218" title="one of the many perks of freedom camping" class="top bottom left5"></a>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUyZdjZN5VEnar-4QU9gKwWwceXfPGZ7SzdySzWJXVL1ReQ0MVt75YIeVX_ReDxajX_vDjNoz0WF0zEF-zIlkUHisVifoVud2tOP6zmR3MNAlXwGdPfBrSUezLi-AhJDSfOza4K2VFtu_4/s800/belltower.jpg" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUyZdjZN5VEnar-4QU9gKwWwceXfPGZ7SzdySzWJXVL1ReQ0MVt75YIeVX_ReDxajX_vDjNoz0WF0zEF-zIlkUHisVifoVud2tOP6zmR3MNAlXwGdPfBrSUezLi-AhJDSfOza4K2VFtu_4/s400/belltower.jpg" width="291" height="218" title="downtown Nelson" class="top bottom right5"></a>
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<td valign="top" colspan="2">Aside from all that, Nelson is great. The Information Site is helpful and well staffed, public bathrooms are everywhere, the movie theater has current films, a few bars in the area serve great brews and have WiFi, and there is free (but slow) WiFi at the <a href="http://www.nelsoncitycouncil.co.nz/libraries-opening-hours-and-locations/" target="blank">central library</a>. Care and I were at the library <b>a lot</b> – it’s where this blog was born - and we enjoyed our stay in town.
<br /><br />Drink and food deals exist at different places throughout the week, but our favorite spot was <a href="http://www.623.co.nz/" target="blank">623 Bar</a>. On Wednesdays they have all you can eat pizza for $15. <b>Done</b>. Care and I actually went there for St. Patrick’s Day and scarfed ourselves into a coma on five different gourmet pizzas, including one deliciously rich banana chocolate dessert pizza. We waddled out of that place exhausted but proud.
<br /><br />It’s hard to sum up Nelson into one post, yet it’s not quite worthy of being split up into more. Should we have stayed as long as we did? No. Were parts of it really cool? Sure. Freedom camping, free WiFi, and pizza, pizza, pizza. Not a bad combo, but Care and I were happy to move on.
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<div id="PictoBrowser100428173130">There's a sweet photo album here, but it looks like your device doesn't support <a href="http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer" target="blank">Flash</a>.<br />No worries! Simply <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crtaylor/NewZealandNelson?feat=directlink" target="blank">view the web album on Picasa.</a></div><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.db798.com/pictobrowser/swfobject.js"></script><script type="text/javascript"> var so = new SWFObject("http://www.db798.com/pictobrowserp.swf", "PictoBrowser", "600", "585", "8", "#ffffff"); so.addVariable("source", "album"); so.addVariable("userName", "crtaylor@gmail.com"); so.addVariable("names", "NewZealandNelson"); so.addVariable("albumId", "5465052901689017569"); so.addVariable("titles", "off"); so.addVariable("displayNotes", "always"); so.addVariable("thumbAutoHide", "off"); so.addVariable("imageSize", "original"); so.addVariable("vAlign", "top"); so.addVariable("vertOffset", "0"); so.addVariable("colorHexVar", "ffffff"); so.addVariable("initialScale", "on"); so.addVariable("bgAlpha", "8"); so.write("PictoBrowser100428173130"); </script>
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</table>Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10686840547537438655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846538628972127284.post-89928565374552515212010-04-26T23:00:00.003+10:002010-04-27T10:22:20.902+10:00The Elusive Kiwi and Pelorus Bridge<table width="600" border="0" cellspacing ="0" cellpadding="0">
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<a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Pelorus+Bridge,+New+Zealand&sll=-41.292877,174.005806&sspn=0.101634,0.220757&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Pelorus+Bridge,+Marlborough,+New+Zealand&t=h&z=11" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1lEXLbVSPUM5_3eqegx6Uj60HIhvjFaTotGwWWtsh_XN1uR90BYDve8or8muze9mkFtbUR3n8-a5KEMkM1SfuDAJNUUBN2h1zp-TZLPrSk-Iba_zYYi0qAzFWpnV5E5wZtBgsQlrScEHB/s400/map_pelorusbridge.jpg" width="291" height="178" title="Click for satellite views with Google Maps" class="top left5"></a>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIEbgVMEsd42poX0tOiSqUJaOoi1H3I_xPiGwbzxFFhXjKIrWPwR1rJM7BIs7MXBieCkfL_6FjkpwwS77VqnDcU0LmJIs-_4v58Arf6IPegc0NKrAJfyreGbuwQCFLpj1nznv7Tvuq4b80/s800/weka.jpg" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIEbgVMEsd42poX0tOiSqUJaOoi1H3I_xPiGwbzxFFhXjKIrWPwR1rJM7BIs7MXBieCkfL_6FjkpwwS77VqnDcU0LmJIs-_4v58Arf6IPegc0NKrAJfyreGbuwQCFLpj1nznv7Tvuq4b80/s400/weka.jpg" width="291" height="178" title="not a kiwi" class="top right5"></a>
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<div class="toptext">Our first decision on the South Island was to vote against heading north into the <a href="http://www.qctrack.co.nz/" target="blank">Queen Charlotte Sound</a>, even though it’s highly recommended. The tours are pricey, the roads are unpaved, and while the hiking is supposed to be epic, we’re more stoked to hike/kayak the <a href="http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/national-parks/abel-tasman/" target="blank">Abel Tasman National Park</a> – a five day excursion. We don’t want to peak before we get to the Tasman. So we headed west.
<br /><br />On the way to Marahau (the entry point for the Abel Tasman Park), we found a great little DOC campsite called <a href="http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-stay/conservation-campsites-by-region/nelson-marlborough/sounds-area/pelorus-bridge/" target="blank">Pelorus Bridge</a>.
<br /><br />I’m a big fan of freedom camping, but this Serviced DOC campsite is one that I can highly recommend. The facilities at Serviced sites are a lot nicer than the Basic or Standard DOC sites and traditionally feature gas cookers, flush toilets, ample space for camping, excellent trails through the woods, and a <b>hot shower</b> – so worth ten bucks a night.
<br /><br />We planned on hiking down to the river, but as I was shoveling down some cocoa pops, nature came to us.
<br /><br />Out of nowhere Carolyn freaked out behind the van. She squealed, “KIWI!! I SEE A BABY KIWI!!! BLAAAARGGGRAAAAAGGGGRRGRH KIWIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
<br /><br />I dove out of the van to see the elusive bird, confused that it was out during the daytime (they’re nocturnal) and saw instead a little brown bird with huge feet. It resembled a kiwi, but didn’t look quite right. The beak was too short and the talons on its feet were gargatumongahugical.
<br /><br />Much to our dismay we found out the bird wasn’t a kiwi – it was another flightless bird, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weka" target="blank">weka</a>. It didn’t matter though because it was fun to feed the curious family.
<br /><br />Pelorus Bridge provided us with a nice hot shower, our first kiwi false alarm, and our first weka sighting.
<br /><br />Not too shabby.
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<a href="http://www.helium.com/" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwTgt-kKPQMqE8nLeCMizs9T8uKGcBaSvM0tp5JwLW8cp-Suhpj5f3C4TyDnu6Nl3F92lEUL1LjZmT7pWwHb1fgV6xTIXBmKA2LJDANyZkHIu0EeA0n0ktW5hiM9wrJQj5RfdcfSrxqRBJ/s144/heliumlogo.jpg" width="100" height="43" title="Helium.com - Where Knowledge Rules" class="noborder bottom5 left"></a>
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<div class="big"><a href="http://www.helium.com/items/1751277-guide-to-doc-campsites-in-new-zealand" target="blank"><b>Guide to DOC Campsites in New Zealand</b></a>
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<td valign="top" align="left">by <a href="http://www.helium.com/users/179891" target="blank"><b>Shawn Forno</b></a>
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<div class="toptext bottomtext">The Department of Conservation – or DOC – is a campervan or backpacker’s best friend in New Zealand. This government established organization exists to ensure that a large number of recreation areas, rest stops, dive and snorkel sites, locations, protected habitat...<a href="http://www.helium.com/items/1751277-guide-to-doc-campsites-in-new-zealand" target="blank">read more</a>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja-HtaXPhI6gGA397Zn8z3vJlHwzdOZGFo_tJAgeRem2Q14plj8wzZKeR5c3ppuF0G2HqxJWgNiOcq1B-0K1Bv_TCkUF1dQLkE4cw8SY0viarGvgiqscDoaciduMeyoQdjrhtviJQEEoqT/s800/shawn_weka.jpg" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja-HtaXPhI6gGA397Zn8z3vJlHwzdOZGFo_tJAgeRem2Q14plj8wzZKeR5c3ppuF0G2HqxJWgNiOcq1B-0K1Bv_TCkUF1dQLkE4cw8SY0viarGvgiqscDoaciduMeyoQdjrhtviJQEEoqT/s400/shawn_weka.jpg" width="291" height="218" title="breakfast with the Weka Family" class="top bottom left5"></a>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdOif6O_e9tqMKBMR0NOnNV8cR-u8rAwNJBLEqAt_uE-STFVIJuRZkusCZl82lWOP0a7OYun2tt9USnnKWlYqhMhEyhxSKp-jadTZd4wUt_Faxm57S0_tERLOdydIcZQewW9G16tDmtRH5/s800/ct_weka.jpg" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdOif6O_e9tqMKBMR0NOnNV8cR-u8rAwNJBLEqAt_uE-STFVIJuRZkusCZl82lWOP0a7OYun2tt9USnnKWlYqhMhEyhxSKp-jadTZd4wUt_Faxm57S0_tERLOdydIcZQewW9G16tDmtRH5/s400/ct_weka.jpg" width="291" height="218" title="c'mon, that looks EXACTLY like a baby kiwi!" class="top bottom right5"></a>
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<div class="bold">"Kiwi Sighting" - a comic by Shawn Forno
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<a href="http://pushpinpilgrim.blogspot.com/p/comics.html" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ru1jw7XYlkSm_hXaY4NLZD_D_c_9qrck52pdQVG8mpAMO59EHbdbP7yyRrLY2B2ysUucCoF_DRxTB7GuR6Z5yd-BHecu3XEDKGj65tpR5PaY5ClotI47I21nUnxzJ0tOuMmqZlpyBfvI/s800/comic_pelorusbridge.jpg" width="596" height="317" title="except what i saw actually looked like a kiwi" class="bottom"></a>
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</table>Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10686840547537438655noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846538628972127284.post-57654929957389073322010-04-23T23:00:00.004+10:002010-04-28T12:02:40.377+10:00Next stop, the South Island!<table width="600" border="0" cellspacing ="0" cellpadding="0"><tr> <td valign="top"> <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Cook+Strait,+New+Zealand&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=29.163842,56.513672&ie=UTF8&cd=1&hq=&hnear=Cook+Strait&ll=-41.261291,174.48761&spn=0.863015,1.766052&t=h&z=9" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis_uEi0wdqSFgxPJWDE51MmWiUBPKdHHuA1NjB1QsAV_iqF-A4j5qLPHvwbNVdyFytPKHZ7V1sQ8qqMWieljyrMTnTlLNy7hpWKwQnHzNu4oPlZcNNeFyic92OZXYrS3Uysj-YBlGJ-qr1/s400/map_interislander.jpg" width="291" height="178" title="Click for satellite views with Google Maps" class="top left5"></a> </td> <td valign="top"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij1JkAfn_vrs1fz3em75vvrBP_JJphjs5bBm1pMkKwxRZlVQn5xi4aufmvAM8evA_KfzWvjwh6fKRfpNAG04Sm6YGq2vqY0xqYxCxk57UvAwfzIU0qxzlOXesuMPk0rHybfjtd37IorLqw/s800/interislander.jpg" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij1JkAfn_vrs1fz3em75vvrBP_JJphjs5bBm1pMkKwxRZlVQn5xi4aufmvAM8evA_KfzWvjwh6fKRfpNAG04Sm6YGq2vqY0xqYxCxk57UvAwfzIU0qxzlOXesuMPk0rHybfjtd37IorLqw/s400/interislander.jpg" width="291" height="178" title="Interislander Ferry between Wellington and Picton" class="top right5"></a> </td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" colspan="2">After an excellent week in <a href="http://pushpinpilgrim.blogspot.com/search?q=wellington+extravaganza" target="blank">Wellington</a>, we finally bid farewell to the North Island. The North Island has been good to us, but we’re stoked to head down to the beautiful South Island before the weather turns too cold. Apparently once it happens it’s brutal. <br />
<br />
Our tickets for the <a href="http://www.interislander.co.nz/" target="blank">Interislander</a> ferry were actually pretty affordable - <a href="http://www.xe.com/ucc/convert.cgi?Amount=220&From=NZD&To=USD&image.x=54&image.y=13&image=Submit" target="blank">NZ$220</a> total for 2 people and a van. <a href="http://www.bluebridge.co.nz/" target="blank">Bluebridge</a> is the other Cook Strait ferry, and we found that one isn't consistently cheaper than the other, it just depends on the day. Also, prices are a lot lower if you've done your planning and can book a ferry date in advance (as per usual, we had not). But we were able to book a mid-morning sailing – the most beautiful part of the ride is when the ship enters the Queen Charlotte Sound during the last hour of the trip. So we settled into our comfy reclining seats by the window and lazed away the morning. <br />
<br />
The ship we were on wasn’t what we imagined – a hollowed out freighter with rickety car ramps. Instead it was a nine deck marvel. I’ve worked on cruise ships in Hawaii, so I’ve seen luxury vessels underway, and while the Interislander ship might not be up to those same standards, it is way more impressive than it has a right to be for the quick three hour voyage. It comes equipped with a movie theater on the lower deck, several cafés and eateries, coffee shops on the upper decks, fully reclining seats, kids’ areas where boisterous youngsters can watch cartoons or burn off their unending energy away from other passengers, full length windows fore and aft for viewing while underway, a fully licensed bar with a back patio, video game arcade room, satellite tv, and a top deck for taking 360 degree pictures of the Sound. It’s pretty slick. </td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Kv4N17NgIBzKFi7Z6wqYovvaho9qlrRX_D2Xwa73FVdEncE8LUTBAAA1fHp_d_4vd7O62Szlm_rz19Q9Hfa90suBb36NxXpQRvkRbth_x_I1sT1ywsiqpN9JZu4W4TthLwJIjmiuYHAU/s800/pictonharbor.jpg" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Kv4N17NgIBzKFi7Z6wqYovvaho9qlrRX_D2Xwa73FVdEncE8LUTBAAA1fHp_d_4vd7O62Szlm_rz19Q9Hfa90suBb36NxXpQRvkRbth_x_I1sT1ywsiqpN9JZu4W4TthLwJIjmiuYHAU/s400/pictonharbor.jpg" width="291" height="218" title="Picton harbor" class="top bottom left5"></a> </td> <td valign="top"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsksLlhU_d4Ly1JWbl77lfKkfOhR2lhqB1TRmSPV5KEc048CEHTevgYSYtlPtu-3H1PJBnaHgEaeThZDgdR5lcO3UbVcwg5abYYjnJtvbdL5Birv_sdy3QMeSkrAmAntgj7OcncNveNWwE/s800/kiwimickey.jpg" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsksLlhU_d4Ly1JWbl77lfKkfOhR2lhqB1TRmSPV5KEc048CEHTevgYSYtlPtu-3H1PJBnaHgEaeThZDgdR5lcO3UbVcwg5abYYjnJtvbdL5Birv_sdy3QMeSkrAmAntgj7OcncNveNWwE/s400/kiwimickey.jpg" width="291" height="218" title="mickey?" class="top bottom right5"></a> </td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" colspan="2">When the ship landed, Care and I drove Flash onto Southern soil and into the little hamlet Picton. The beach in town is a good place to relax – we took a nap in the grass because we’d to gotten up before dawn to catch our boat – and is a natural gathering place for other travelers. People-watching is pretty good, and there’s a small mini golf course just off the sand. After a quick swim and a spin around the local library (free wifi), Care and I headed to the Kahikatea DOC campsite on the eastern bay of the Marlborough Sounds. <br />
<br />
It was a removed location with access to the water and great hikes along the sand. We made friends with a paradise duck – they’re usually really skittish, so that was cool – and also chatted with some humans. <br />
<br />
One elderly couple, Graeme and Jackie, came over to compliment us on our <a href="http://pushpinpilgrim.blogspot.com/2010/02/flash-van.html" target="blank">van setup</a> (mostly the twinkle lights), and next thing we know we’re sitting in their snazzy camper talking about the realities of travel, freedom camping, camper van associations, solar power, fruit picking, the harvest trail in New Zealand, glue-gun crafts, and the life that they’ve lead on the road for the past six years. They were such happy, friendly, helpful people who taught us so much about what we’re doing on our trip, but more importantly, what we might do better. It was a great encouragement for us to continue the nomadic lifestyle, and a rad way to get pumped up for the second leg of our trip. </td> </tr>
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<div id="PictoBrowser100418152531">There's a sweet photo album here, but it looks like your device doesn't support <a href="http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer" target="blank">Flash</a>.<br />
No worries! Simply <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crtaylor/NewZealandInterislander?feat=directlink" target="blank">view the web album on Picasa.</a></div><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.db798.com/pictobrowser/swfobject.js"></script><script type="text/javascript"> var so = new SWFObject("http://www.db798.com/pictobrowserp.swf", "PictoBrowser", "600", "585", "8", "#ffffff"); so.addVariable("source", "album"); so.addVariable("userName", "crtaylor@gmail.com"); so.addVariable("names", "NewZealandInterislander"); so.addVariable("albumId", "5461309964025390929"); so.addVariable("titles", "off"); so.addVariable("displayNotes", "always"); so.addVariable("thumbAutoHide", "off"); so.addVariable("imageSize", "original"); so.addVariable("vAlign", "top"); so.addVariable("vertOffset", "0"); so.addVariable("colorHexVar", "ffffff"); so.addVariable("initialScale", "on"); so.addVariable("bgAlpha", "8"); so.write("PictoBrowser100418152531"); </script> </ br> </td> </tr>
</table>Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10686840547537438655noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846538628972127284.post-47541374590246391592010-04-21T23:00:00.002+10:002010-04-28T11:57:11.696+10:00New Zealand Citizenship!<table width="600" border="0" cellspacing ="0" cellpadding="0"><tr> <td valign="top"> <div class="left5 bottomtext">I just heard back from the New Zealand Citizenship Office. Guess what? <br />
<br />
As of now, I am officially a <b>New Zealand citizen</b>. <br />
<br />
Oh yeah. <br />
<br />
Who’s a kiwi? Oh that’s right – <b>I am</b>. <br />
<br />
I got the citizenship by descent through my Dad (he was born in Waimate on the South Island), and even though the process took a while, I’m beyond stoked about it. As soon as I get a passport I’ll post my sweet New Zealand passport photos. <br />
<br />
Man…so excited. </div></td> <td valign="top"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTEQB7Y1edoETDIl3UGq3rRo5SxRaP7g1QwTbihYfTXwDb8wcogwshSq_xwKSzksCL157wdOLbivLuEYuF4OwNoGto8o1T0yqBcPnu-TlRrzZ6eRArtro2Vm_bV8uavGIkpD3loap7c6xB/s800/greatsuccess.jpg" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTEQB7Y1edoETDIl3UGq3rRo5SxRaP7g1QwTbihYfTXwDb8wcogwshSq_xwKSzksCL157wdOLbivLuEYuF4OwNoGto8o1T0yqBcPnu-TlRrzZ6eRArtro2Vm_bV8uavGIkpD3loap7c6xB/s400/greatsuccess.jpg" width="291" height="388" title="great success!" class="top bottom right5"></a> </td> </tr>
</table>Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10686840547537438655noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846538628972127284.post-64047116248857533992010-04-19T23:00:00.003+10:002010-04-28T11:59:07.428+10:00Wellington - Part Five - Freedom Camping<table width="600" border="0" cellspacing ="0" cellpadding="0"><tr> <td valign="top"> <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Wellington,+New+Zealand&sll=-40.357271,175.612164&sspn=0.051539,0.110378&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Wellington,+New+Zealand&t=h&z=14" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiASThjrjws2Rt5mmBHVh6UJ5O-3p3LRat9Fd8WG41z6NQ3puLw3atXdzLsyjz-POun8ISreasIhPPt8zzwAZDhqZU1o9PXwssPDO93UPVkw9amPgCinzsrQK67ou2SzUgyifd4eG-JLqhH/s400/map_wellington.jpg" width="291" height="178" title="Click for satellite views with Google Maps" class="top left5"></a> </td> <td valign="top"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUu13zqWL6WikGKx6w8EPjNCIdlcwSBJpe_owcJFOy3B1yY2uY83oemlYFdMgTQLByZwsDmBVhrOmEnLKARjQAZGmma2W-f78h4a6VGLWld1c-6aKW6yteMiWnvB2QvzOS-njCvURRh39k/s800/breakfast.jpg" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUu13zqWL6WikGKx6w8EPjNCIdlcwSBJpe_owcJFOy3B1yY2uY83oemlYFdMgTQLByZwsDmBVhrOmEnLKARjQAZGmma2W-f78h4a6VGLWld1c-6aKW6yteMiWnvB2QvzOS-njCvURRh39k/s400/breakfast.jpg" width="291" height="178" title="breakfast in bed" class="top right5"></a> </td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" colspan="2">Alright. I’m taking this opportunity in the fifth and final installment of our <b>(S)Wellington Extravaganza!</b> to talk about something near and dear to my heart – Freedom Camping. <br />
<br />
Freedom Camping is the subtle art of living in a van, camper, hollowed out VW Bug, what have you, allowing travelers to enjoy a country for much longer than they could if forced to pay for conventional accommodation like hostels, campsites, or hotels. The average price of a single bed in a Wellington is $26 – not ridiculous, but the cost for Care and I to stay for 7 days would have quickly mounted to $364 for the week, without including the savage parking fees our van would have incurred (some streets charge $6 per/hr Mon – Fri 8 am – 6 pm). For just five weekdays of parking we might have had to pay $200. Not on my watch. <br />
<br />
Instead we drove <a href="http://www.google.co.nz/search?sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=3+km+to+miles" target="blank">3 km</a> outside of downtown to a lovely parking lot situated on Oriental Parade – a major street leading to the waterfront/museum district of downtown. When we pulled up we saw a half dozen other freedom campers in their garishly painted campervans all cooking, sitting out in the sun, or going for a quick swim at the adjacent sandy beach. Score. <br />
<br />
The parking lot is one of several hugging the western side of the bay, and acts as a fishing area during the daytime hours. At night, freedom campers descend on the lot which also provides a bathroom to wash up, clean dishes, and…you know…use the bathroom. <br />
<br />
Freedom camping in New Zealand is a strange tradition. It’s not illegal which is cool, but it is becoming more and more restricted in certain parts of the country. I get that some communities don’t want travelers squatting their neighborhoods, but the best and most surprising part about Wellington was that they had set aside these areas for travelers. We were never hassled about staying there, we never felt unsafe, and we had access to awesome beach front views, swimming, and amenities just a thirty minute walk into downtown Wellington. <br />
<br />
It’s funny, the city was hosting a <a href="http://www.google.co.nz/search?hl=en&q=15+km+to+miles&meta=&aq=f&aqi=g-c1g-m1&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=" target="blank">15 km</a> “Fun Run” that used Oriental Parade as the route, and at 7 a.m. a race official actually came around knocking on windows informing each camper that the road would be closed for the next four hours if we needed to leave before we got trapped. It wasn’t done maliciously or with the intent to roust us from our perch. It was an actual courtesy. Care and I decided to stay and watch the race. <br />
<br />
Carolyn and I enjoyed one of our best weeks in New Zealand in Wellington, and while it was in large part due to Rich and Merridith, the great museums, cafés, and nightlife of Wellington itself, I’m not sure how much of any of that we would have been able to enjoy if we were paying over $500 to stay for one week. Freedom camping, while controversial and a negative side effect of travel to some, was the thing that really opened up doors for us in Wellington. Without it, we wouldn’t have loved Windy Welly enough to write this five part extravaganza. <br />
<br />
So, thank you Wellington. Thank you for realizing that just because some travelers don’t have a lot of money it doesn’t mean they can’t enjoy your city. <br />
<br />
Wellington is Swellington. </td> </tr>
</table><table width="600" border="0" cellspacing ="0" cellpadding="0"><tr> <td valign="top"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsntj4nPTWp9FDg38mutc9KZ6KC9Pw8BX8iHYXucFntQOD31LRiqKY61v56YQmGPxxd9LwFwHou4NpurgHCjUhCPlZPwOLavMr0-BqE50TNvHepb9YN6cteuCbNuQn7SLNbEMKAgtYYZ9U/s800/balaenabay.jpg" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsntj4nPTWp9FDg38mutc9KZ6KC9Pw8BX8iHYXucFntQOD31LRiqKY61v56YQmGPxxd9LwFwHou4NpurgHCjUhCPlZPwOLavMr0-BqE50TNvHepb9YN6cteuCbNuQn7SLNbEMKAgtYYZ9U/s400/balaenabay.jpg" width="291" height="218" title="Flash loves Freedom Camping" class="top bottom left5"></a> </td> <td valign="top"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLul-h8jha8pbs1W_2iaD1hsfavszxZ2-nKmxgNoToEIUgjpnHYXABz7Y7CBRjB_YQc2Ik_vKm8yWlaT-PycHxSB9rNI2V6EcnLbUos6EloyzKBbeEdpsx9lV_izPyE-D995hhwucGXSjW/s800/sunset.jpg" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLul-h8jha8pbs1W_2iaD1hsfavszxZ2-nKmxgNoToEIUgjpnHYXABz7Y7CBRjB_YQc2Ik_vKm8yWlaT-PycHxSB9rNI2V6EcnLbUos6EloyzKBbeEdpsx9lV_izPyE-D995hhwucGXSjW/s400/sunset.jpg" width="291" height="218" title="freedom sunset" class="top bottom right5"></a> </td> </tr>
</table>Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10686840547537438655noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846538628972127284.post-5663050496142432042010-04-16T23:00:00.002+10:002010-04-16T23:00:05.198+10:00Wellington - Part Four - Cable Car & Gardens<table width="600" border="0" cellspacing ="0" cellpadding="0">
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<a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Wellington,+New+Zealand&sll=-40.357271,175.612164&sspn=0.051539,0.110378&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Wellington,+New+Zealand&t=h&z=14" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiASThjrjws2Rt5mmBHVh6UJ5O-3p3LRat9Fd8WG41z6NQ3puLw3atXdzLsyjz-POun8ISreasIhPPt8zzwAZDhqZU1o9PXwssPDO93UPVkw9amPgCinzsrQK67ou2SzUgyifd4eG-JLqhH/s400/map_wellington.jpg" width="291" height="178" title="Click for satellite views with Google Maps" class="top left5"></a>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2EkF_pGSg3oF8iMUnHY0C2_3CGyDHILBrmUj6lPGEWPLIFym3vOn-htKe3xhPviHpdhM09oOYrZUkLlrL23Fvt7-ir0cUelc-bpglNgFSUWZ-MqSkha2Lsf_wxQGUOoZFtQ72PBaM26oY/s800/rose.jpg" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2EkF_pGSg3oF8iMUnHY0C2_3CGyDHILBrmUj6lPGEWPLIFym3vOn-htKe3xhPviHpdhM09oOYrZUkLlrL23Fvt7-ir0cUelc-bpglNgFSUWZ-MqSkha2Lsf_wxQGUOoZFtQ72PBaM26oY/s400/rose.jpg" width="291" height="178" title="Lady Norwood Rose Garden" class="top right5"></a>
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<td valign="top" colspan="2">Now that we’re on the downward slope of our Five Day <b>(S)Wellington Extravaganza!</b> I thought we’d travel uphill to enjoy the view.
<br /><br />Wellington’s hip vibe and artsy culture are widely celebrated by tourists and locals alike – and rightly so, it’s a cool place. However, it’s easy to forget the history and pockets of tranquility that exist in this little metropolis by the sea. Two of my favorites are the <a href="http://www.wellingtoncablecar.co.nz/" target="blank">Cable Car</a> and the <a href="http://www.wellington.govt.nz/services/gardens/botanicgardens/botanicgardens.html" target="blank">Botanical Gardens</a>.
<br /><br />The trip to the Gardens starts with the classic cable car. Situated on Lambton Quay, this centrally located treasure is a testament to the city's efforts to preserve this quaint attraction. Honestly, when Care and I bought our $2 tickets, I thought there was a mistake. I was expecting a higher price for this sweet ride up to a great view of the city, so we boarded the shiny red cable car with a weird sense of... foreboding.
<br /><br />Within 30 seconds – literally 30 seconds – the car made its first stop. I could still see the details of our initial destination as commuters from the first stop boarded. <i>Why would they put the stops so close together?</i> I wondered. <i>Oh, well</i>.
<br /><br />40 seconds later we stopped again. <i>What?</i> More people got on and off, and the car filled up to standing room only. School kids jostled with businessmen as we all took our short slanty ride up the steep hill past Victoria University to the next stop.
<br /><br /><i>Wait…is this the last stop?</i> I thought as everyone disembarked. Yup. Last stop. Three stops in under three minutes and we were at the end of the line – the top of the hill overlooking the city. If Care hadn’t had the camera ready when we got on we might have missed it all. I will say that while the ride wasn’t a San Francisco style tour of the town, it was something much more rare - a functioning mode of transport for students and commuters, that has managed to last over 100 years.
<br /><br />At the top of the rise, views of the water and city below spread out in all directions as far as Lower Hutt on the eastern edge of the bay. We lucked out and got a clear, sunny, hot day. The area up here features a small restaurant, benches, and the start of the Botanical Gardens, as well as two astronomical observatories. I love the observation domes with their classic antique look.
<br /><br />After a well deserved nap on a grassy slope (we have a hard life), Care and I headed down the “Rose Garden Path” enjoying flowers, trees, and plants of all sorts. Prehistoric ferns stand next to conifer trees, and dazzling lilies. I used to be a flower delivery boy in college, so I like plants. What up.
<br /><br />Near the end of the hour long trek we came upon one of the highlights – the Lady Norwood Rose Garden. This sprawling flower garden quartered into areas depicting hybrid and pure bred roses of varying shades that march across the full spectrum of colors, and it was a relaxing break from our relaxing hike. We sat at the fountain and just…smelled stuff for a while.
<br /><br />The path eventually leads back into downtown (near the Beehive) but not before taking pedestrians through several cemeteries dating back to the colonial settlements of the city. Some of the gravestones are worn smooth by rain, wind, neglect, and time, while others are overgrown by wild bush and ivy. A few crypts feature elaborate obelisks and well polished marble, while most are simple granite slabs with name and date. The cemeteries are a stark reminder – as always – that time is short. Without being too cliche, it was a somber end to a peaceful day, and I’m glad we had a few hours to ourselves to revel in the beauty, history, and past of Wellington before we plunged back into the bustle of city life.
<br /><br />P.S. I don’t care what you say – I think flowers <b>rule</b>, and Carolyn likes that about me, don’t you Care.
<br /><br />Care?
<br /><br />
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<div id="PictoBrowser100411131015">It looks like you're using a device that doesn't support <a href="http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer" target="blank">Flash</a>. No worries! Simply <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crtaylor/NewZealandWellington4CableCar?feat=directlink" target="blank">view the web album on Picasa.</a></div><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.db798.com/pictobrowser/swfobject.js"></script><script type="text/javascript"> var so = new SWFObject("http://www.db798.com/pictobrowserp.swf", "PictoBrowser", "600", "585", "8", "#ffffff"); so.addVariable("source", "album"); so.addVariable("userName", "crtaylor@gmail.com"); so.addVariable("names", "NewZealandWellington4CableCar"); so.addVariable("albumId", "5458671381159082961"); so.addVariable("titles", "off"); so.addVariable("displayNotes", "always"); so.addVariable("thumbAutoHide", "off"); so.addVariable("imageSize", "original"); so.addVariable("vAlign", "top"); so.addVariable("vertOffset", "0"); so.addVariable("colorHexVar", "ffffff"); so.addVariable("initialScale", "on"); so.addVariable("bgAlpha", "8"); so.write("PictoBrowser100411131015"); </script>
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</table>Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10686840547537438655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846538628972127284.post-35550301122949714792010-04-14T23:00:00.004+10:002010-04-14T23:00:10.243+10:00Wellington - Part Three - Downtown<table width="600" border="0" cellspacing ="0" cellpadding="0">
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<td valign="top" colspan="2">Part Three of our <b>(S)Wellington Extravaganza!</b> continues with a more in depth look at downtown and all the rad stuff to do there.
<br /><br />Aside from our awesome time with <a href="http://pushpinpilgrim.blogspot.com/2010/04/wellington-part-one.html" target="blank">Rich and Merridith</a>, Care and I settled in to enjoy the other pleasures of Wellington – namely the cafés. Wellington houses more cafés per capita than any major city in the world – even Seattle – which makes perfect sense after a few days huddled around a warm cappuccino. The wind that kicks off the bay can be brutal, and is a major reason for the plethora of chain and independent java vendors. Our favorite spot in Windy Welly was a little place called <a href="http://www.mon-ami.co.nz/" target="blank">“Café Mon Ami.”</a>
<br /><br />This little gem on Bond St., near the waterfront, the main shopping on <a href="http://www.helium.com/items/1753415-guide-to-courtenay-street-wellington-new-zealand" target="blank">Courtenay Street</a>, and a stone’s throw from the museums and culture of the library and civic block was a real find. Cheap coffees and tasty croissants are just the start of this restaurant come kitsch café. They not only have excellent wi-fi service free for their patrons, but the owner/manager Francois (yes he’s actually French) runs a free bike rental service. That’s right – you give him your ID and he gives you his bike. When you’re done, come back and your ID is returned – no charge. It’s a mindset like this, as well as the comfy chairs, that sets Mon Ami apart from the slew of competition in the area, but if you’re a Francophobe, other joints like Goblin Café, and even *gasp* Starbucks are available on every corner. Literally.
<br /><br />Care and I also enjoyed the infamous “Beehive” Parliament building on the northern edge of the waterfront. This monument to 1970’s atrocity is an eyesore/icon that somehow escapes a lot of tourists’ notice. It could be the location – way north - or the obscurity of the governmental system in New Zealand – technically a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand#Government" target="blank">“Constitutional Monarchy"</a> ruled by Queen Elizabeth II (not the Prime Minister, much like Canada), but I’d have to say it’s at least partly to do with the building itself. I’m no architect (although I helped build our sweet van), but the 1970’s idea of the future is pretty ridiculous.
<br /><br />Care and I also lucked into the Chinese New Year celebration along the waterfront – a popular Wellington destination for festivals and concerts – like <a href="http://www.homegrown.net.nz/page/25-Home" target="blank">Homegrown</a> (another concert we happened to hear during our stay).
<br /><br />Downtown and the surrounds are a tightly woven mix of museums, cafés, open spaces, and places to relax and enjoy the vibe. Care and I liked it so much we even wrote this little song about it. Enjoy.
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<div class="big"><a href="http://www.helium.com/items/1753478-destination-guide-wellington-new-zealand" target="blank"><b>Destination Guide: Wellington, New Zealand</b></a>
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<td valign="top" align="left">by <a href="http://www.helium.com/users/179891" target="blank"><b>Shawn Forno</b></a>
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<div class="toptext">Wellington is so much more than just the capitol of New Zealand and second largest city in the North Island. It’s a center for culture with world class museums like Te Papa – a completely free six story mecca of natural history, cultural collections, visiting world class exhibits...<a href="http://www.helium.com/items/1753478-destination-guide-wellington-new-zealand" target="blank">read more</a>
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</table>Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10686840547537438655noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846538628972127284.post-12988197238256205822010-04-12T23:00:00.004+10:002010-04-25T14:33:56.495+10:00Wellington - Part Two - Te Papa Museum<table width="600" border="0" cellspacing ="0" cellpadding="0">
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<td valign="top" colspan="2">Next stop on our <b>(S)Wellington Extravaganza!</b>...the standout attraction in Wellington is their world class museum – Te Papa. Loosely translated as “our place”, Te Papa is a beacon of art, culture, history, and sophistication that attracts over 1 million visitors each year. Six stories and an external <a href="http://www.tepapa.govt.nz/WhatsOn/exhibitions/Pages/BushCity.aspx" target="blank">“Bush City”</a> display art, natural history, and interactive exhibits intertwined amidst an ever changing tapestry of visiting shows from around the world. They even have these sweet shiny mirror thing-a-ma-jigs outside.
<br /><br />Admission is free (suggested donation, but really who are we kidding) to all but the special collection galleries like “A Day in Pompeii” and other limited engagements, and it includes access to some mind blowing sights. Most notably, the <a href="http://squid.tepapa.govt.nz/" target="blank">Colossal Squid</a> on display in the natural history section on the first floor.
<br /><br />This specimen, encased in glass and formaldehyde, and stretched out for viewing is eerily like the alien autopsy scene in Independence Day. The total length of the squid is <a href="http://www.google.co.nz/search?sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=4.2+meters+to+feet" target="blank">4.2 meters</a>, and the eyeballs are the size of soccer balls.
<br /><br />Care and I spent a pretty large chunk of time in the natural history section – mostly because I’m a huge nerd – but the <a href="http://www.tepapa.govt.nz/WhatsOn/exhibitions/Pages/ReactiveArchitecturesmartdesignsforgreenbuildings.aspx" target="blank">“Reactive Architecture”</a> exhibit was another one that caught our attention. This green architectural think tank showcases new ways that energy is thought about in several different designs, ranging from simple umbrella photic displays to full fledged floating “barge” cities. For other examples of green architecture, check out <a href="http://montrosegreen.blogspot.com/" target="blank">“Building Green on Montrose”</a>, an innovative, eco-friendly renovation of a 100-year old rowhouse in Philadelphia.
<br /><br />We spent hours in the museum, pointing things out to each other, watching captivating movies and reenactments, taking 1840's immigration surveys, gawking at fossils, and enjoying ourselves while we soaked up New Zealand culture, art, and history. Te Papa became “our place” by the end of the day, and this amazing collection is something that every visitor to Wellington needs to make part of their trip.
<br /><br />And don’t forget to take at least 500 pictures in front of the shiny mirror thing-a-ma-jigs out front. Yeah, in your face, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_Gate" target="blank">Chicago Bean.</a> New Zealand has reflectve surfaces too.
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<div class="bold">"Seen It" - a comic by Shawn Forno
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<a href="http://pushpinpilgrim.blogspot.com/p/comics.html" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_TLUsj_4OdCMcCXglkh4hmtsfGio_MAdZJwqhrlsWeirz-D359NcXbTMCWGI1UFj_-IEjv4Qz2TPpS7Mantq1fMprgXV5ql4o0_-fuJDwZ4nA_pQOO3LlPDsoO3zhBb_JhytnAW6W8k0R/s800/Colossal%20Squid.jpg" width="596" height="286" title="love the bowtie though. classy." class="top bottom"></a>
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</table>Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10686840547537438655noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846538628972127284.post-89301474760455855342010-04-10T22:01:00.004+10:002010-04-11T11:58:38.746+10:00Wellington - Part One<table width="600" border="0" cellspacing ="0" cellpadding="0">
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<td valign="top" colspan="2">We finally made it to Wellington!
<br /><br />Home to Parliament, the Te Papa Museum, diverse culture, the ferry to the South Island, surf, sand, nightlife, friends, and more cafés per capita than any major city in the world, “Swellington” is just too much to write about in one post. So we’ve split this amazing metropolis into a <b>Five Part (S)Wellington Extravaganza!</b>
<br /><br /><b>Part One – Thank You Note.</b>
<br /><br />My mom always taught me to write thank you notes right away before you forget, so here goes – Thank you thank you so much to Rich and Merridith, and to Joan for setting us up with them. You guys were amazing tour guides and cultural ambassadors for Kiwis – never mind that Merridith is from Maryland.
<br /><br />These two rock stars not only drove us around the cool parts of town, they made us feel like we were part of a “group” – a hard feeling to get on the road.
<br /><br />The first stop was the beautiful rugged west side of the bay where we enjoyed even more tide pool exploration, hiked a bit, snagged some epic views, and talked about travel blogging – check out their <a href="http://www.bugbitten.com/blogs/richandmerridith/my_webpage.html" target="blank">award winning travel blog</a> to see how the pros do it.
<br /><br />If that wasn’t enough, they took us out to dinner and introduced Care and I to the deliciously weird Taiwanese treat – <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bubble_tea" target="blank">bubble tea.</a> Even Care liked it, so that’s saying something.
<br /><br />Just when we thought we’d worn out our welcome, the fun continued.
<br /><br />Rich was all, “Oh hey guys, you wanna go check out my family’s rad bach?” (NZ for “beach house”). We tried to play it cool, so I was all, “Pssht, I <i>guess</i>. I mean we have a few minutes to kill...”
<br />And Care was like, “Whatevs, yo.”
<br /><br />It was AWESOME. We <b>surf kayaked</b> (insanely fun/hard) and then got the best fresh fruit ice cream in “sunny Otaki” on the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kapiti_Coast" target="blank">Kapiti Coast</a> – home to the <a href="http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0911/S00595.htm" target="blank">most expensive ice cream in New Zealand</a>...per capita.
<br /><br />Later that night they drove us up to see the view from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Victoria,_Wellington" target="blank">Mt. Victoria</a> at night. The twinkling lights that hug the bay are lovely.
<br /><br />The hits kept coming when we went to a small group session for their church, <a href="http://www.arise.org.nz/redirect/landingpage/" target="blank">ARISE</a>, and got to take part in a fun evening with Kiwis in an apartment above busy <a href="http://www.helium.com/items/1753415-guide-to-courtenay-street-wellington-new-zealand" target="blank">Courtenay Street</a>. It was so welcoming to interact like a local. Finally, we went to the Sunday night service of ARISE and got to see an active, young church in New Zealand – a real treat for us. The people in the congregation were wonderful, and we enjoyed a great afterglow dinner with some of them at a café.
<br /><br />Despite all the radness, the best part of our new homies was that we <b>finally</b> had someone to use all of our free text messages with. We got 100 free txts within NZ when we loaded up our phone, so we blitzed them with nonsense txts. “hey bff! wut r u up 2 now guyzzzzzz? LOL! ttyl, xoxo.” Sorry yo.
<br /><br />Rich and Merridith are stalwart travelers with huge hearts and a real sense for what it means to be away from home. The craziest thing about their selfless generosity is that they had just gotten back from their <b>9-month trip around the world, the day before we called them.</b>
<br /><br />Who has the energy to do all that for two people they’d never met, right when they got back? Rock stars – that’s who.
<br /><br />It was the best way to experience Wellington, and Care and I will always see the city through Rich and Merridith colored glasses. That doesn’t sound quite right, but you get the idea.
<br /><br />Thanks a million guys. Hope to see you again soon.
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<a href="http://www.helium.com/" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwTgt-kKPQMqE8nLeCMizs9T8uKGcBaSvM0tp5JwLW8cp-Suhpj5f3C4TyDnu6Nl3F92lEUL1LjZmT7pWwHb1fgV6xTIXBmKA2LJDANyZkHIu0EeA0n0ktW5hiM9wrJQj5RfdcfSrxqRBJ/s144/heliumlogo.jpg" width="100" height="43" title="Helium.com - Where Knowledge Rules" class="noborder bottom5 left"></a>
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<div class="big"><a href="http://www.helium.com/items/1753415-guide-to-courtenay-street-wellington-new-zealand" target="blank"><b>Destination Guide: Courtenay Street, Wellington, NZ</b></a>
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<td valign="top" align="left">by <a href="http://www.helium.com/users/179891" target="blank"><b>Shawn Forno</b></a>
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<div class="toptext">The best food, fun, nightlife, and culture of Wellington is found on Courtenay Street. This funky locale just off Manners Mall at the south end of the civic center houses a pedestrian thoroughfare where tourists and locals alike meander past dozens of designer shops...<a href="http://www.helium.com/items/1753415-guide-to-courtenay-street-wellington-new-zealand" target="blank">read more</a>
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</table>Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10686840547537438655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846538628972127284.post-76988944975020356092010-04-09T22:01:00.011+10:002010-04-28T12:06:45.442+10:00Palmerston North<table width="600" border="0" cellspacing ="0" cellpadding="0"><tr> <td valign="top"> <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Palmerston+North,+New+Zealand&sll=-39.290734,174.05571&sspn=0.196096,0.441513&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Palmerston+North,+Manawatu-wanganui,+New+Zealand&ll=-40.357271,175.612164&spn=0.051539,0.110378&t=h&z=13" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZm99Af6caNIkznBHaLPlIn0jLhxOk-b8OdfYSiIHMwSpV3Aff9vtKaSFZLJ4t9zUKdwJPLp9cIlOU-QUc0d4DlhLBuU1LHd59Tlvp6qV4caEyl69ToWF6hn5IRdVcjR4ddo4cCk2f_rGO/s400/map_palmerston.jpg" width="291" height="178" title="Click for satellite views with Google Maps" class="top left5"></a> </td> <td valign="top"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrbpeIfaqbRkeDksav-SCXT8SWfL_Jx2KwLbbe4F2dj_5ausVLBJwzz4pqbHXrdvYI1wzOSFeIRpT_joTXjluGSd5w92RlA4_4lAVWoKLmm21dSQll8pO2TiM7bxGY5D3gFLV3Xb-kDct1/s800/family.jpg" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrbpeIfaqbRkeDksav-SCXT8SWfL_Jx2KwLbbe4F2dj_5ausVLBJwzz4pqbHXrdvYI1wzOSFeIRpT_joTXjluGSd5w92RlA4_4lAVWoKLmm21dSQll8pO2TiM7bxGY5D3gFLV3Xb-kDct1/s400/family.jpg" width="291" height="178" title="Judy and Steve are the coolest!" class="top right5"></a> </td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" colspan="2" width="600">I have to start this post with the best part of Palmerston North – Judy and Steve – my Uncle David’s sister and her husband. Thanks so much guys, your hospitality was amazing. <br />
<br />
They not only put us up in their lovely home but also: <ol><li>Cooked us two awesome dinners.<br />
<li>Fed us two awesome breakfasts.<br />
<li>Let us do laundry.<br />
<li>Taught us about rugby – go <a href="http://www.crusaders.co.nz/" target="blank">Crusaders!</a><br />
<li>Gave Carolyn a camping toaster for the cooker - an incredibly thoughtful gift, and while I love the raisin toast, it sets the bar pretty high for anything I give Care in the future. Thanks a lot.<br />
<li>Sent us on our way with parting gifts of wine, candy, and hot cross buns. <br />
But most importantly…<br />
<li>Judy hand sewed us a Tetris “L” shaped fitted sheet to match the changes we made to the cushions in the van. The hinged area of the bed that lets us convert it to a seating area now has a removable cushion with its own sheet case. You rule, Jude. </ol>They also gave us a great insiders’ tour of Massey University (one of the biggest schools in NZ), an awesome breakfast at their friend’s coffee shop, and a spin around the central square with its park, shops, and venues for bands. We people watched for an hour, sipping cappuccinos sheltered inside from the gale force winds that occur from time to time.
In fact, the wind is so strong that Palmerston not only built a huge wind farm to supply energy for the town, they were the first city to wire the surplus energy into the national grid. There is some contention about whether these massive turbines are an eyesore and noise disturbance, but I’ll leave <a href="http://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=23008" target="blank">that debate</a> to the Kiwis. I personally think they're awesome – the wind blew so hard that when I jumped, I technically flew for at least two seconds. The only downside is that the wind blew away my braided headband that my friend Kristyn made me in Italy.
Carolyn does not see the loss of this headband as a downside.
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<tr> <td valign="top" align="center" colspan="2"> <div id="PictoBrowser100408162258">There's a sweet photo album here, but it looks like you're using a device that doesn't support <a href="http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer" target="blank">Flash</a>.<br />
No worries! Simply <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/crtaylor/NewZealandPalmerstonNorth?feat=directlink" target="blank">view the web album on Picasa.</a></div><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.db798.com/pictobrowser/swfobject.js"></script><script type="text/javascript"> var so = new SWFObject("http://www.db798.com/pictobrowserp.swf", "PictoBrowser", "600", "585", "8", "#ffffff"); so.addVariable("source", "album"); so.addVariable("userName", "crtaylor@gmail.com"); so.addVariable("names", "NewZealandPalmerstonNorth"); so.addVariable("albumId", "5457557080929497169"); so.addVariable("titles", "off"); so.addVariable("displayNotes", "always"); so.addVariable("thumbAutoHide", "off"); so.addVariable("imageSize", "original"); so.addVariable("vAlign", "top"); so.addVariable("vertOffset", "0"); so.addVariable("colorHexVar", "ffffff"); so.addVariable("initialScale", "on"); so.addVariable("bgAlpha", "8"); so.write("PictoBrowser100408162258"); </script> </td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" align="center" colspan="2"> <div class="bold">"Inspiration" - a comic by Shawn Forno </div><a href="http://pushpinpilgrim.blogspot.com/p/comics.html" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgbmd47M9l5eU-EDjLsJ2nqxv5DlDPFs0eWVTzfdQXsxUaSPJxcgeSQcbBuxrz7uxFf_90-dLnf2MOTo7Z2XNTjS4vmIQmtz5LkH11ufO3_WX31N5e38EFG0fN_d-uNaIZqm9DK1DqgRvh/s800/comic_palmerston.jpg" width="596" height="294" title="no it isn't" class="bottom"></a> </td> </tr>
</table>Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10686840547537438655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1846538628972127284.post-11924343929444787232010-04-08T22:01:00.013+10:002010-04-28T12:11:51.114+10:00Mt. Egmont, or Mt. "TaraNOTki"<table width="600" border="0" cellspacing ="0" cellpadding="0"><tr> <td valign="top"> <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Mt.+Taranaki,+New+Zealand&sll=-39.117551,173.954466&sspn=0.052475,0.110378&g=Oakura,+New+Zealand&ie=UTF8&hq=Mt+Taranaki&hnear=Mt+Taranaki,+Taranaki,+New+Zealand&ll=-39.290734,174.05571&spn=0.196096,0.441513&t=h&z=11" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeyBHApOkvRxWy-DaOlsX-KKV0qtlbGERClnG6jBFjdoUJPLmJURzH7FacbkSM35kpk917py0TF8w3XyEpbC9sKMDs_Gw_Gjb6xo1rQJD-AlueKavf5kpxCq7RopSO0xTZTH7RlmSQ4fcC/s288/map_taranaki.jpg" width="291" height="178" title="Click for satellite views with Google Maps" class="top left5"></a> </td> <td valign="top"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSGgyrcsKBnVocjN0V5hqxCvEqUADHzf0ucEmxPMVmJ8iUlYwkByvzvvFlKT1JU2OlodhjdlBIj7IqciurG6PPiNYOXdciCffEqLci0oy2iD2ZHTcuSHjZtmVD1PgS4iRxBK0D_dzwaUq7/s800/taranaki.jpg" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSGgyrcsKBnVocjN0V5hqxCvEqUADHzf0ucEmxPMVmJ8iUlYwkByvzvvFlKT1JU2OlodhjdlBIj7IqciurG6PPiNYOXdciCffEqLci0oy2iD2ZHTcuSHjZtmVD1PgS4iRxBK0D_dzwaUq7/s288/taranaki.jpg" width="291" height="178" title="I saw it once...Shawn missed it cause he was driving." class="top right5"></a> </td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" colspan="2">Mt. Taranaki (the Maori name) or Mt. Egmont (the English name) is supposedly one of the most beautiful and iconic mountains in New Zealand. Its solitary snowcapped peak is so stunning that it was used as a stand-in for Mt. Fuji during the New Zealand based filming of <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0325710/" target="blank">“The Last Samurai.”</a> Unfortunately, storm clouds and fog shrouded the mountain for a week, so we never got to see it…Mt Taranaki I mean, not “The Last Samurai"…I saw that and it was awesome. <br />
<br />
After six days of waiting around New Plymouth, Oakura, and even on the slopes of Taranaki itself, Care and I decided to give up on getting a rad picture and moved on. <br />
<br />
The slopes show potential though, and I’d love to come back on our way north and go for a hike. Until then, I’ll just rent “The Last Samurai” and practice sweet sword moves in front of my little laptop screen. </td> </tr>
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1:13 in...check it out: <br />
<br />
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</table><br />
<table width="600" border="1" cellspacing ="0" cellpadding="0"><tr> <td align="center"> <table width="584" border="0" cellspacing ="0" cellpadding="0"><tr> <td valign="top" align="left" width="100" rowspan="2"> <a href="http://www.helium.com/" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwTgt-kKPQMqE8nLeCMizs9T8uKGcBaSvM0tp5JwLW8cp-Suhpj5f3C4TyDnu6Nl3F92lEUL1LjZmT7pWwHb1fgV6xTIXBmKA2LJDANyZkHIu0EeA0n0ktW5hiM9wrJQj5RfdcfSrxqRBJ/s144/heliumlogo.jpg" width="100" height="43" title="Helium.com - Where Knowledge Rules" class="noborder bottom5 left"></a> </td> <td valign="bottom" align="left" height="35" width="484"> <div class="big"><a href="http://www.helium.com/items/1753444-destination-guide-mount-egmont-taranaki-new-zealand" target="blank"><b>Destination guide: Mount Egmont, New Zealand</b></a> </div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" align="left">by <a href="http://www.helium.com/users/179891" target="blank"><b>Shawn Forno</b></a> </td> </tr>
<tr> <td valign="top" align="left" colspan="2"> <div class="toptext">Mount Egmont, also known as Mount Taranaki in the local Maori language, provides one of New Zealand’s most iconic landscapes and is home to a multitude of tramping tracks, camp sites, huts, and dozens of other outdoor activities...<a href="http://www.helium.com/items/1753444-destination-guide-mount-egmont-taranaki-new-zealand" target="blank">read more</a> </div></td> </tr>
</table></td> </tr>
</table><table width="600" border="0" cellspacing ="0" cellpadding="0"><tr> <td valign="top" colspan="2"> <p class="center bold"><br />
"TaraNOTki" - a comic by Shawn Forno<br />
<a href="http://pushpinpilgrim.blogspot.com/p/comics.html" target="blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJVzwuoNTRcvSsu2DAV4ivCn2kCpa5qduKPsOuHgf1nm51xWuAo8Ry_ASBvprs-SsW_BQRiKawxEFpB7Co4vNtO-RCDMgqZK9swv94mEe0kZcBfWR9NR2tLsgGK4TYo08e8UPVVWlM4spW/s800/comic_taranaki.jpg" width="596" height="296" title="what next? you're gonna tell me Scientology is smoke and mirrors too?" class="bottom"></a> </p></td> </tr>
</table>Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10686840547537438655noreply@blogger.com4