Author: Steve

Brisbane is pretty damn good!

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I have cycled many of these bike paths almost every day over the past 5 years as I made my way to the office, but today, they looked very different! Perhaps it’s because I had my eyes wide open?

cycling BrisbaneUsually on my morning ride to work I am pre-occupied with what might be waiting for me, either in my inbox or on my desk, oblivious to the really important things around me, and how great they are. Not only the natural beauty, but how fortunate we are to have such well-maintained and positioned cycle ways and paths for moving pedestrians and bikes safely around the river city of Brisbane.

It really hit me just how lucky we are to live here – whilst it’s Continue reading →

Wowed by the Volvo Ocean Race – Auckland

Steve2 Comments

We were fortunate to visit Auckland during the same week that the Volvo Ocean Race was in town.

P1080147Whilst I’m not a seafaring lad, I couldn’t help getting caught up in the excitement that such an event brings to a city.

1.42 million people, or 31% of New Zealand’s population reside in Auckland, and although it’s not the country’s capital, it appears to be the hub of business, nightlife and sport. In addition to the Volvo Ocean Race, the ICC Cricket World Cup is currently being hosted here.

The Volvo Ocean Race (formerly the Whitbread Race) is a yacht race around the world, held every Continue reading →

A Meeting Place & Departure Point – Cape Reinga

Steve4 Comments

Cape Reinga is the northern most point on the North Island of New Zealand, and it’s off this coast where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean.

P1070985It’s one of those magical destinations that you see on a map, dream of getting to one day, but never quite make it. This has been true for Anne and I, but on this trip we did make it, and we are very glad we did.

Whilst we really enjoyed the vista of the rugged coast line, the lighthouse, and the meeting of the sea’s, it’s the Maori Legends which are worthy Continue reading →

A Stone Store, a Timber House and a Waterfall

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Before Auckland and Wellington became the country’s hub of economic activity, it was Kerikeri and the Bay of Island’s that were the centre of European activity in New Zealand. The region’s history dates back to 1769, when Captain James Cook, the first European to visit, named it the Bay of Islands.

P1080047Kerikeri is also known as the “Cradle of the Nation”, having the country’s oldest surviving wooden building – Kemp House, built in 1821, and the oldest surviving stone building – Stone Store, built in 1832. If you are ever in the region, the Kerikeri basin and its Mission Station is worth a visit – make sure you take the guided tour. The stories of hardship and resilience faced by Continue reading →

Some of New Zealand’s Oldest

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We spent four relaxing nights with friends David and Ann in their beautiful home in Kerikeri. Not only were they wonderful hosts, but Kerikeri is the perfect location from which to explore the history and scenery that the Bay of Islands and New Zealand’s Northland has to offer.

P1070927The Waitangi Treaty Grounds is only a 20 minute drive from Kerikeri, and is considered New Zealand’s premier historic site. It was there, in 1840, that the country’s founding document, the Treaty of Waitangi, was signed by the British Crown and Māori Chiefs. The Treaty established a British Governor of New Zealand, recognised Māori ownership of their lands and other properties, and gave the Māori the same rights as British subjects. Whilst at the Treaty Grounds, we enjoyed a performance by Continue reading →

A Sinking Feeling on 90 Mile Beach

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It’s a beautiful stretch of sand on the West coast of New Zealand’s North Island, running from Kaitaia toward Cape Reinga, along the Aupouri Peninsula.P1080036 The day we walked down on to the beach, it felt deserted, apart from one man and his dog, a fisherman’s 4wd, and one other vehicle parked close to the waters edge. Its occupants appeared to be enjoying watching the setting sun out across the gently breaking waves

90 Mile Beach is one of those spots that features in all the Northland tourist brochures. A number of Continue reading →

Sweaty & Close to Tears – The Waikato River Trail

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In case you didn’t realise, when riding a bike, there’s a big difference between a rail trail and a river trail. Let me explain.

P1070831

Anne and I recently enjoyed cycling the Otago Rail Trail with our friends Mary Ann and Lawrence. We captured Continue reading →

Amazed by the Avantidrome – Cambridge, New Zealand

Steve4 Comments

A cycling velodrome wasn’t on the list of “must sees” in New Zealand, but when our friends from Puketurua suggested we take a drive to Cambridge and visit the newly built Avantidrome, I got a bit interested.

P1070827As a road cyclist (and MAMIL), I enjoy getting out on my bike, so any novel cycling experience doesn’t require a lot of persuasion to get me on board. I didn’t know what to expect before arriving at the Avantidrome, New Zealand’s home of the National Cycling Centre of Excellence, but I was very soon in awe!

I have often enjoyed Continue reading →

Galleries, Go-Getters and Gut Busting

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Galleries

When I think of galleries, I generally think of art – paintings, sculptures and photographs. Poetry is not something I associate with a gallery, but it was poetry that surprised and amused us at the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts on Wellington’s waterfront. I’d never heard of Ben Stokes, but his “Place to Be” hip-hop-rap style poem brought smiles to our faces. Ben is New Zealand’s 2014 National Poetry Slam Champion, and in this poem, he describes exactly what makes New Zealand such a fantastic place to be. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did. Go on….hit the play button.

Wellington hosts numerous other private and publicly funded galleries peppered along Continue reading →

Akaroa, Hanmer Springs & Kaikoura

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Hanmer Springs and Kaikoura are both towns on the South Island of New Zealand that we have visited previously, but Akaroa was new to the itinerary. We can thank another of our friends, also named Ann, for that suggestion. All of these towns are unique in their own right, and they are towns that will remain on our list of places to visit again.

Akaroa
Akaroa

Akaroa is situated on the coast, about 80km southeast of Christchurch. It was New Zealand’s only French Settlement, with 60 of the first emigrants arriving in August, 1840. Whilst retaining a French flavour with a few French flags flying and French street names, it was the quaint village atmosphere and scenic beauty that attracted us. Although we didn’t do it, swimming with Hector’s Dolphins, one of the world’s smallest and rarest breeds, is the unique attraction of the town.

The highlight of our day was a picnic by the bay, where we Continue reading →