Life in ChCh
The Garden City
Christchurch is the Garend City of New Zealand.
Garden City
ChCh is also considered the "most British" city in NZ.
Christchurch
Hence the city's name. . . .
The Tram
Hard to miss...and shouln't be missed--a short but sweet city tour.
The Art Museum
Definitley the most "bang for your buck" in the city. . . it's free!
The Art Centre
Great weekend market, and awesome artists in residence.
The Gateway to the City
I've been living about 2 blocks from here--a tribute to the soldiers of WWI and WWII.
Dot and Billy's Visit
I was so lucky--the week I oved down here, Ginny and Bill were over for a cruise.
My new flat
Dot and Billy visited the day before I moved in to my new place.
Water Mill
One of the "historical" sites in town, along the Avon.
Go Canterbury!!
At my first Crusaders game, both Richie McCaw and Daniel Carter played!!
Victoria Square
The caulifower fountain
Night time in Victoria Square
The fountain at night
Chinese New Year
The lantern festival travelled all around New Zealand
Warrior Masks
At the lantern festival
Something for the kids too. . .
the lantern pandas
Another tourist adventure
Head up the Christchurch gondola for some great views--just go on a clear day!!
Lyttleton Harbour
(Again, on a clear day) this is one of the most amazing views in ChCh!
The black pebble beach
Although you cannot swim here, it is definitely a beautiful place to visit, and definite proof of NZ's volcanic origins
Akaroa on a clear day
Again, much of NZ is amazing on a clar day, even if the wind is blowing 100 Kph!
Akaroa
The far side of the harbour
April on the North Island
Room with a view
This was the view of Waitemata Harbour from our hotel balcony in Auckland
The Glass Floor
Stepping on the CBD from "Sue", the Sky Tower
Davenport
A picture of Craig with Auckland's CBD across Waitemata Harbour
Looking back. . .
The view from Mt. Victoria, the tallest volcanoe on the North Shore
Atop the Volcanoe
Craig, enjoying the 'shrooms atop the volcanoe
Davenport
Looking towards Mission Bay
The Coromandel
Yes, it's beautiful, even after the Pohutukawas have lost their blooms
The "waterpark"
Everything here is water centered--too bad it was about 10 degrees Celcius!
Nature boy
If you ask to see his pictures, you'd better be a fan of plants!
Volcanic Stuff
If only the stink of sulfer didn't invade your entire life. . .my jeans still smell like matches!
The Devil's Cauldron
Remember how I said my jeans smelled like matches--the green indicates "high levels of phosphorous"
Lady Knox
Don't think she erupts on her own--they shove soap down her throat every morning at 10:15!
Ozzie in April
Adelaide: Pedestrian Mall
Apparently their not shy about getting you to pick up your rubbish here!
Adelaide: The Wine Centre
On the edge of the Botanical Garden, it's a nice place to sit and relax with a tasting!
Adelaide: Botanical Garden
One of the water features
Adelaide Who knew??
She's certainly not going to be my girlfriend, like the one in Auckland!
Adelaide: Breathalizer Alert!
Our driver got pulled over for a drink driving test about 30 minutes into our wine tour.
Adelaide: En route to Barrossa
The World's largest Rocking Horse. . .the name says it all!
Adelaide:The Whispering Wall
Yeah, we tried it out--it really works.
Adelaide: Kanga-what
For my complete resistance to all wildlife, I must admit, they're pretty amazing!
Hobart: On the Waterfront
Yep, they really made Jam...now it's a fancy hotel
Hobart: Sunset
Somewhere near Taranna--Amazing!
Hobart: Take a scenic drive
We drove East across the bridge, toward Port Arthur--some of the most amazing scenery (outside NZ!)
Hobart: Some Rock stuff
I'm sure it's some important erosion-thingy, but I was too tired from driving to care! It looked cool, though
Hobart: Water Cave
The opening is supposed to be in the shape of the island
Hobart: The Devil
Although they're nocturnal, the a few of the Tassie Devils came out to play
Hobart: And wombats too!
The only one we saw that wasn't road kill
Hobart: Koala
Craig snapped this right before he pooed on my shoe
Hobart: Walabeee!
He wouldn't leave me alone!
Hobart: BOtanical Garden
with an amazing view of the harbour
My Auckland Peeps
with Jazz
This was Jasmine's first night out with Melissa and me WAY BAck in August!
Toasting to AnnMarie & John
Left to Right: John, AnnMarie, Melissa, Becca
Dylan's Birthday Surprise
Notice that it's mostly girls? All the lads were out to hit up a strip club--but they never made it!?
Stampeed!
The best attraction in Papakura? The barstools at the local!
It'll stick like that!
Crazy Welsh Sara with John
No, We haven't been drinking!
Comforting the Dublin Irish (Elaine).
Bubbles, anyone?
Enjoying the Lindauer party in the Viaduct. (Left to Right: Becca, Jasmine, Carla, Melissa, and Jane)
We'll miss you!
AnnMarie & John's farewell dinner.
Everyone's so happy!
Sylvia, Tony and Natalia at O'Hagan's in the Viaduct.
Gabrielle
Your friendly (ex) bartender at Mea Culpa
X-Mas in Auckland
Jamie, Jemma & Dan enjoying some X-mas cheer at Danny Doolan's
Wild Turkey anyone?
The Cornish & the Irish psyhc up for their first ever WTs
"We love you White Lady!"
Dylan has had to look after our "girlfriend" since I moved away.
Undercover Chef
Andy was so proud of his poker hat from The Drake's X-mas gift exchange...too bad it's all he ended up winning!
Waiting for da Bus
So much giddy anticipation as Niamh and I wait for the bus to the Crusaders game
Thanks for visiting!
Dylan and Niamh sitting in a tree. . . . My forst official houseguests in my ChCh pad.
Bartender of the Year?
Simon, shouldn't you be on the other side of the bar serving Andy and me some more drinks? We sure look like we need it
A Kiwi Thanksgiving
Resting up for the big meal
Jasmine takes a a little nappy nap before dinner
That's after 2nds
Her first Thanksgiving, and she's already in the family album!
Smile, Elaine
Once again, Dublin is embarrassed to be seen with the "other American"
Huh?
Melissa regales us with another story, whil my dad tries to figure out if she's even speaking English
A little fuzzy
My mom's meal was AWESOME--aparently so was the wine!
Birthday in Wine Country
I officially turned 34 in the Wairarapa (Martinborough, for you wine geeks).
Bugs at the Rose Garden
This is the donation bank for the Botanic Gardens in Welly.
Blessing the house
The re-opening of the Astronomy Centre
Dad and the Cannon
Atop the bluffs overlooking the city
The happy family
Notice the beautiful weather--the 150Kph winds blew out the storm (and nearly our plane) the night before!
The easy way up
Mom and Dad waiting for their turn on the Cable Car
Gearing up
Taking a breather with the statue before climbing the Plimmer Steps
Auckland/Northland
Pahia-Bay of Islands
The sunset in Pahia
Cape Reinga
Where the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean meet.
Cape Reinga
The lighthouse and mile markers
90 Mile Beach
It's this big! (Actually it's about 63 miles long, but who's really counting?)
Waitangi-Bay of Islands
The Copthorne Hotel was pretty sweet--this is the pool.
Waitangi Treaty grounds
One of the totems decorating the shed that houses the canoe built for the centennial of the Treaty.
Waitangi Treaty Grounds
The forest path from the visitor's center to the canoe, signing point, Busby residence, and Whare Runanga.
Puketi Kauri Forest
Kauri trees are a national treasure, and some of the ones in this forest are over 1000 years old.
Home again
This is the view of Waitemata Harbour, Westhaven Marina, and the Harbour bridge from my room
Wellington
Globe
At Wellington's Civic Centre
Art Gallery
At Wellington's Civic Centre
Viva, indeed!
The only authentic Mexican food I have found in the whole country!
Metal trees
This is one of the "trees" that greets you as you cros above the traffic to the harbour.
Inner Harbour
Te Papa
The Te Papa is the best museum I have been to in the country so far--a sort of Kiwi Smithsonian
A view through the bridge
This is one of the "portholes" of the war memorial bridge.
War Memorial
The bridge that connects the war memorial to the CBD
Wellington
The Fountain on the field at Victoria University, and a view form above of the city.
Botainc Gardens
The botanic garden is at the top of the cable car.
Human Sundial
Apparently (when it's sunny) you hold your hands over your head, and your shadow tells the time.