Paula in NZ

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.