Saturday, May 25, 2013

Nelson

   Last weekend I went to Nelson for four days. Despite the crudy - winter, wet, weather, it was another lovely relaxing weekend. It started out with a bit of shock when I boarded the plane without ever having to show my ID or go through any security - the bliss of a domestic flight in NZ. Nelson is known for its crafts, craft beer, and wine. I went to a movie, read, walked all over town (and out of town), drank some wonderful beer, and went on a wine/brewery tour. Can't beat it.

Christ Church




Queens Gardens

Hangshi Chinese Garden


One of the Best taverns I have been to!

Fellworth House B and B



Milcrest Winery 



A new franchise just starting - FRESH cow milk from a vending machine
there were 15 cows to keep this village milk going out in the
wop wops - truely surprise, but amazing

Oldest pub in NZ - Moutere Inn est 1850









Miyazu Japanese Gardens

Rotovegas, Mount, Taupo

  The 9-12 of May I went, by way of nakedbus, to Mount Maunganui, Rotorua, and Taupo. The Mount was beautiful and the weather though intermittently rainy was perfect for relaxing and wandering around. I hiked the Mount, walked the beach, read, went to the library (my new favorite way to get to know a new place - I went in Rotorua and Nelson too), and the bar for a good ale. Friday I went to Rotorua to do a bit of the same with an evening of Maori culture experiences including a traditional hangi (food cooked in the ground by hot stones). Saturday I was off to Taupo after a sit and read by Lake Rotorua. Taupo was more rainy, but I enjoyed a lovely thai dinner with a bottle of byo red wine to go with my duck. On Sunday before my return to Auckland I went for a bit of hike to the Huka Falls. Plenty of rest, reading, and sightseeing fulfilled my weekend to round out my central North Island travel. 





From the top of the Mount

















Lake Rotorua

Hangi uncovering




Maori Warriors arrive by way of a waka



cultural show - after dinner we also went to see glow worms in their natural
habitat on a bush walk- beautiful 





Lake Taupo










Lake Rotorua