August 14th, 2020 After the beach break on our first day in New Zealand, we’ve come full circle back to Oamaru on the east coast of the South Island. Oamaru is a town filled with artists, studios, creativity and steampunk culture. Have a look around and take a ride in the Kaleidomachine! Tomorrow we’re saying goodbye to New Zealand and
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August 13th, 2020 After my hike on the Abel Tasman Coast Trail in 2000, I caught a bus from Nelson to Greymouth. The route led to the west coast of the South Island, passing through Paparoa National Park and a town called Punakaiki. Punakaiki is known for its pancake rock formations. Made of compacted layers of limestone, the rocks have
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August 12th, 2020 After yesterday’s arid and mountainous landscapes, today I’m reposting a story about my five-day hike along the lush coastline of Abel Tasman National Park in New Zealand. This park is at the north end of the South Island, accessible from Nelson, which I had reached by bus after ferrying from Wellington to Picton. Before that, I journeyed
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August 11th, 2020 I don’t know about you, but in these strange times I like to get out of the house and take a drive. After the coastal views of last Thursday’s post, today I’m sharing a handful of photos of the inland landscape around New Zealand’s South Island. These photos were captured near Wanaka and Queenstown. New Zealand is
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August 10th, 2020 We’re back in Wanaka, New Zealand for today’s armchair adventure with J. He’s taking us on a virtual heli-ski trip in the Crown Range in this repost from August, 2013. More tomorrow, Kelly Post of the Day: Adding a bit of light to the darkness as we get through the pandemic together. This series features travel photos
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August 8th, 2020 After our beach break in an unknown destination, it’s time for the reveal. We’re on the shoreline of Lake Wanaka in … New Zealand! I have a couple posts to share from this quiet and stunning country in the southern hemisphere, including one about a long-ago solo camping trip on the Abel Tasman Coast Trail. Apologies for
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This week’s Photo Challenge (Sea) and my recent trip to New Zealand spurred me to dig up some old photos of a trip I took more than a decade ago. In 2000 I hiked, or tramped as the Kiwis say, the Abel Tasman Coast Trail on the north tip of the South Island. The hike was four nights along a
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Cue the Top Gun soundtrack — here’s the highlight (or Mr. Producer’s highlight, at least) of our trip to New Zealand: helicopter skiing. Monday morning was relatively sunny with dissipating fog so he and his good friend (let’s call him Mr. X) received the “let’s go” phone call at 8:00 a.m. Like two kids on Christmas morning, they excitedly packed
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